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Convergent
Series

Recent
Workshops
(2011)
by

Carol
Scheftic

I am still hoping to get this website going and have an official launch later on ... sometime.
(It's just so much more fun to make and teach metal treats than 'tis to build a website....)

For now, I am listing classes I've recently scheduled.
The ones on this page have already come and gone, but I'd be glad to offer any of them again
if enough folks request them (and a site can be identified).

Return to Schedule of Upcoming Classes


Date Topic Location
December 2011:

There are so many other holiday-related activities,
I have not scheduled any workshops for this month.

(Do let me know if you are interested in an on-demand private lesson.
I will still offer those this month, if we can coordinate our schedules!)

By Appointment
at almost
any time!


Contact me for details.
On-demand workshops:

Is there another project you'd like to make? Is there another time you'd like to meet? Let me know!

Open studio time and silver clay firing services:

If you wish to continue making more pieces on your own but are not yet ready to invest in all the relevant equipment ... Just let me know!

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Sunday, November 6
4 to 8 pm


Contact the gallery for pricing information, and to reserve your seat.

Materials cost will vary
depending on the
size of the piece
you choose to make.
Reversible Curved
Fine Silver Pendant

Learn to work with metal clay as you make your own one-of-a-kind domed or otherwise curved reversible pendant.

Allegory Gallery
139 East Main Street
Ligonier, PA 15658

www.facebook.com/allegory-gallery/
November 5
10:00 am to 4:00 pm


FREE
Western PA Chapter
of the PMC Guild

Come and join us!

A group of metal clay enthusiasts will be gathering in Regent Square (just off Parkway East, Exit 7). Topics for this session include:
  • Show & Tell
    • Bring something you've made for others to admire—we love any kind of hand-made art jewelry!
  • Clay Play time
    • Bring tools and materials and work in the company of others sharing tips and ideas.
    • There will be some extra clay and tools, to buy or share, if you need them.
  • Demonstration / Discussion
    • Flex-shaft Fundametals—For anyone who's interested, Alice will lead this, supported by Carol (me), with others welcome to chime in with questions or information.
Wilkins School Community Center
(in a large classroom upstairs)
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
wsccpgh.org
Wednesday AND Thursday,
October 26 & 27
6 to 9 pm

Contact the gallery for pricing information, and to reserve your seat.

Materials cost will vary
depending on the
size of the piece
you choose to make.
Bracelet Bonanza

Make s custom toggle clasp and focal bead of fine silver
(using metal clay) on the first night.
(If you wish, these may be reversible!)

Your creations will be "fired" for you the next day.

Return on the second night to assemble these wonderful components with gorgeous beads to make your own custom bracelet.

bracelet with metal clay focal and toggle

Four Directions Jewelry Studio
824 Pittsburgh Street
Springdale, PA 15144
724-681-7611
fourdirectionsjewelrystudio.
blogspot.com
Sunday, October 9

[Custom Group Lesson]
Let me know if your group would lke to schedule a custom lesson too!

I do these all year long, but am including just this one in my year's summary. It's just a reminder that you should get in touch to schedule one at a time convenient for you.

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Saturday, October 8
1 to 5 pm

$55 (in advance)

plus materials (due in class)
Little Silver Boxes

In the box-class at Zelda's last spring, most participants chose to make sealed-box pendants. With fall upon us, let's go beyond making our own jewelry elements and findings, to make little loosely-lidded trinket boxes!
(Shown is a triangular box, but we'll cover how to make round and square ones too.)

Zelda's Bead Kit Company
407 Station Street
Bridgeville, PA 15017
412-220-9000
zeldasbeadkits.com
September 27
6:30 to 9:30 pm


FREE
Western PA Chapter
of the PMC Guild

Come and join us!
A group of metal clay enthusiasts will be gathering
in the new gallery in Springdale, PA.
We start with a Show & Tell session
(bring something you've made for others
to admire—we love any kind of
hand-made art jewelry!). Then we'll
cover a bit of chappter business, and
be inspired by one or more demonstrations.

Four Directions Jewelry Studio
824 Pittsburgh Street
Springdale, PA 15144
724-681-7611
fourdirectionsjewelrystudio.
blogspot.com
September 27
Noon to 4 pm


$10/hour

No minimum.
No pre-registration.

Silver metal clay firing services are also available.
Open Studio

Someitimes (like this) I schedule these in advance.
Other times, catch me in my studio by chance!
(Your best bet: weekday afternoons or early evenings.)

I do not offer actual instruction during these sessions, but you are welcome to share the use of my tools and equipment to create small metal treats of your own!

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Wednesday, Sept 21
6 - 9 pm


$35 (in advance)

plus materials (due in class)
Garden Delight Earrings

3 pairs of earrings in Garden Delight style Make a pair of small earrings that combine your own fine silver elements with a lovely colored Lucite leaf, flower, or butterfly.

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
September 20

[Private Lesson]
Let me know if you'd like one or more private lessons too!

I do these all year long, but am including just this one in my year's summary. It's meant as a reminder that you should get in touch to schedule one at a time convenient for you.

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Saturday, Sept 17
1 to 4:30 pm


$40 (in advance)

plus materials (due in class)
Simply Stupendous Cylinders

Two samples of lapped cylinder beads.
Learn to work with metal clay as you make your own one-of-a-kind tube-shaped pendant or pair of earrings.

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Wednesday, September 14
6:00 to 9:00 pm

FREE

NO pre-registation, just stop by for as much or as little of this time as you'd like!
What is Metal Clay?

You (yes, YOU!) can make fine silver treats like these!

My First Lentil, strung with cracked silver.

(The photo above is of the very first one I ever made.
The ones below show just a few other possibilities.)

Blossom Collage Disk Three Spool Beads

See the transformation of a plain, metallic powder into a moist clay-like product that's easy to shape, then dried to a form that can be carved or drilled and, finally, turned back to a piece of pure, solid metal.

Ask questions, if you want, before you take the plunge to sign up for a full workshop. Discover how you will be able to do this!

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Wednesday, August 24
6 to 9 pm

Contact Zelda's for registration & pricing information.


This session is FULL!

A second one has been added:
2 to 5 pm
Fine Silver Butterflies!

As the butterflies of summer flit about your garden, helping to pollinate the plants while offering joy and amusement to those of us who watch them, consider spending an evening capturing the idea of butterflies in metal clay and turning them into fine silver baubles that can be admired all year.

We will cover a variety of basic metal clay techniques, so you can make your choice of simple charms, earrings, beads, pendants, bookmarks, or sun-catchers, all with a butterfly theme. For metal clay beginners, this is an easy introdcution! Those with some prior experience may attempt more complex designs.

For any participants interested in gardening for (live) pollinators—butterflies and more—additional information on that will also be provided.

Zelda's Bead Kit Company
407 Station Street
Bridgeville, PA 15017
412-220-9000
zeldasbeadkits.com
June 3 - 12, 2011

No Worshops Scheduled
for a few weeks...

I will have pieces for sale
at the Three Rivers Arts Festival.
In the Koolkat Designs Booth on Gallery Row.
Artist Market spaces 78-79

Private & Semi-Private Lessons

I will continue to hold some private and
semi-private lessons later in June & July.
(Please email me if you're interested in those!)
In July I will announce more workshops
for later in the summer and on into fall.
See you in one of those, I hope!

3 Rivers Arts Festival
www.3riversartsfest.org/
June 13 - late July, 2011
Ahhh, Summertime: I hope to just take it one day at a time...!
Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Monday, May 23,
6 to 9 pm


$45 (in advance)

plus materials (due in class: probably $25 - $30)
Copper + Silver Hugs

Take a simple copper disk, plain or textured. Form a piece of metal clay to hug its edge. With what's left, consider creating a few metal clay embellishments. Once it's all been fired, you have the components for a one-of-a-kind pendant, or for a focal piece to use in your own beaded creation.

Koolkat Designs
691 Washington Road (Uptown)
Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
412-341-2299
imakoolkat.com
Sunday, May 22,
Noon to 4 pm



$45 (in advance)

plus materials (due in class: probably $35 - $40)
Big Silver Links

Textured or plain: fine silver links are fun and easy to make! In this workshop, you will have the choice of making a few to connect directly to each other (for a unique pendant / component) or of making more links but leaving them separate (so you can later intermix them with wire and other elements of your choice).

Koolkat Designs
691 Washington Road (Uptown)
Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
412-341-2299
imakoolkat.com
May 17 and 19,
6:00 to 8:30 pm


$50 (in advance, covers both evenings)

plus materials (due in class: probably $35 - $50)
Spin Some Silver Spools

Make a few fine silver beads in a lovely, small spool-shape.

Participants who would like to learn how to string their spools (onto a necklace, bracelet, or earrings) may schedule a private or semi-private lesson at a highly-discounted price.

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Sunday, May 15,
1 to 5 pm


$45 (in advance)

plus materials (due in class: probably $35 - $60)
Silver Collage / Mosaic Pendant

Make a two-sided pendant: apply a collage, mosaic, or quilt-like pattern on one side; the other side can be plain, or it can display one overall texture that either complements or contrasts with the collage.

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Saturday, May 7,
1:00 - 5:00 pm


$45 (special price for TWO people, due in advance)

plus materials (due in class: probably $35 - $55)
Mother's Day Special

A two-for-one special for mothers and daughters (10 through adult)! Team up to make a few charms, earring dangles, or small pendants, helping each other explore the process. Each of you may make a piece for yourself or, if you prefer, to exchange with each other.

("Mother" can mean any adult with mother-qualities: pairs that include a grandmother, aunt, or friend are welcome too.)

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Wednesday, April 27,
6 to 9 pm

AND

Thursday, April 28
6 to 9 pm


(dates are certain; please check back to confirm the times!)
Bracelet Bonanza

Make s custom toggle clasp and focal bead of fine silver (using metal clay) on the first night.

Your creations will be "fired" for you the next morning.

Return on the second night to assemble these wonderful components with gorgeous beads to make your own custom bracelet.

bracelet with metal clay focal and toggle

Zelda's Bead Kit Company
407 Station Street
Bridgeville, PA 15017
412-220-9000
zeldasbeadkits.com
Tuesday, April 26,
6:00 - 8:30 pm


$30 (in advance)

plus materials (due in class: probably $25 - $40)
Silver Lava Beads

Learn to create amazing, light weight, silver nuggets (beads or earrings) by painting silver "paste" over black lava beads.

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Monday, March 7,
1 to 5 pm

OR

Sunday, March 13
1 to 5 pm

$45 (in advance)
plus materials (due in class)
Reversible Woven Silver Pendant

Weave strips and strings of this fabulous fine silver material.

Three Woven Silver Pendants (Class Samples)

To hold your weave securely, you will then either frame or back it in the shape of your choice to make your own one-of-a-kind pendant.

Learn to work with regular "lump" clay straight from the pack and with the wonderful "flexible greenware" that remains pliable, and thus weave-able, even after it has fully "dried" out.

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Sunday, March 6,
1 to 5 pm

OR

Thursday, March 10
1 to 5 pm

$45 (in advance)
plus materials (due in class)

at

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Little Silver Secrets

Learn how to make a simple, small, reversible, hollow, silver box.

Your fine silver creation may have a loosely-fitting lid, allowing it to be used as a place to store a special little trinket of your choosing.

Two Reversible Basic Box Pendants (Class Samples)

If you prefer, instead, to seal its lid in place so you can wear it as a pendant, you'll also learn how to leave a special opening through which to insert a little love note or affirmation that only the wearer need ever know is there.

Or, for those of you at the other end of town:

Saturday, March 12,
1 to 5 pm

$45 (in advance)
plus materials (due in class)

Zelda's Bead Kit Company
407 Station Street
Bridgeville, PA 15017
412-220-9000
zeldasbeadkits.com
Take either one of the Basic Domes Workshops and then return for either of:

Tuesday, February 22
7 to 8:30 pm

OR

Saturday, February 20
1 to 2:30 pm


$20 (for this second session;
no additional cost for materials!)
Reversible Hollow Domed
Fine Silver Beads

Four Lentil-Bead Samples

Either one of these sessions serves as part-two—Start with the Basic Domes workshop (above) and follow that with this session where you'll join & finsih them into a single, dramatic, hollow, domed piece.

You may rdecide whether to register for this either before or during the "basic domes" class.

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Tuesday, February 15
6 to 9 pm

OR

Saturday, February 20
1 to 4 pm


$35 (in advance)
plus materials (due in class)
Reversible Basic Domed
Fine Silver Beads

Domed Bead Sample

Learn the basics of working with silver clay, including how to form it into a domed shape.

Each participant will have two options:

  • Attend either one of these sessions—make and decorate two reversible domed circle pendant beads, OR
  • Consider this the first of a two-part class—come back next week (see below) for the second.

Pre-registration is required.

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218
Sunday, January 16
1:00 to 4:00 pm

and

Tuesday, January 18
5:00 to 8:00 pm

Stop by for as much or as little of this time as you'd like!
What is Metal Clay?

You (yes, YOU!) can make fine silver treats like these!

My First Lentil, strung with cracked silver.

(The photo above is of the very first one I ever made.
The ones below show just a few other possibilities.)

Blossom Collage Disk Three Spool Beads

See the transformation of a plain, metallic powder into a moist clay-like product that's easy to shape, then dried to a form that can be carved or drilled and, finally, turned back to a piece of pure, solid metal.

Ask questions, if you want, before you take the plunge to sign up for a full workshop. Discover how you will be able to do this!

No pre-registration is required. These events are FREE!

Convergent Series Studio
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Street
Swissvale, PA 15218

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This page was last updated on 1 December 2011.

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