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Create Stunning Pieces With Metal Clay

Explorations in Metal Clay

Whether you are just starting or have been into jewelry making for quite some time, there are classes offered by Bernadette Denoux Art Jewelry & Instruction that will suit your needs. Contact me in Miami, Florida to register.

Intro to Metal Clay: Rollover Pendants and Earrings

If you have never taken a metal clay class, and you want to try it before deciding to take the Exploration Courses, or you would like to refresh your basic skills, this class will give you a great foundation.


The goal of this project-driven class is to make you comfortable with the specific techniques while learning tips and tricks to minimize performance anxiety. In this project, you will decide if you want a free-form or structured pendant. You can make windows and apply appliqués to give it interest. The design of this pendant can be useful in more detailed pieces using stones and enamel in the future.


The class includes the use of tools, textures, equipment, consumable products, silver clay paste, torch, and kiln firings. I have priced the class without silver clay in case you have your own, but you may purchase some from me. Take this as an intro class to see if you want to jump in to metal clay or take this as the first class in the course. It is usually 5-6 hours long with breaks for firing and tumble finishing.


This same class is offered as part of the Beginning Exploration Course. If you decide to take the course, the price of your intro lesson will be applied to the price of the course. The course is at a reduced price. You may take classes individually, but you will save money, learn more at a faster rate, and have more fun by taking the course. You may also take the course privately.

Beginning Explorations in Metal Clay Course

This course takes 3 hours each week for 6 weeks or once a week for 6 hours for 3 weeks for $450.00. Extra materials and clay are available at additional prices. You can bring your own Art Clay Silver (ACS) or PMC. You may also purchase from me if I have it in stock, or order it ahead. 20 Grams of ACS is $45.00, which is discounted for my students, and there is a $20.00 materials fee for stones, etc.


For each project, you will need about one package of clay, depending on how much clay you use for each project. You will be paying at the beginning of the course that is appropriate for your level, but you don't need to pay for the clay unless you need it. The price is discounted for a class of three or more, but at this time the course is offered privately only. For a class of three or more, the price will be discounted.


You may continue on with Experienced Explorations in Metal Clay if you choose. If you have had some experience with metal clay, you may elect to start with the Experienced Exploration Course. After that, you are ready for certification.

Projects in Beginning Explorations in Metal Clay Course

Roll Over Pendant and Earrings 

In this project, you will decide if you want a free-form or structured pendant. You can make windows and apply appliques to make the piece more interesting. The design of this pendant can be useful in more detailed pieces using stones and enamel in the future.

Jeweled and Framed Pendant 

In this project, you will learn the many uses of coils. You will frame a pendant to give it a finished quality, make a bail, and set a stone to give your piece some bling and color. You will also learn to set a fire-tested CZ.

Focal Point Toggles 

Knowing how to make your own original designed toggles takes your work to the next level. In this project, you will lean how to design functional yet beautiful toggles to use on your necklace and bracelet projects.

Additional Skills 

Additional skills to be taught in this course are torch firing, rehydrating and reconstituting your dry clay, keeping your clay workable, finishing your pieces, applying patinas, using and making molds, and more. There is some downtime when we will be kiln firing and tumbling, so that's when I show you the fun stuff.

Course Rates

Any of these three classes can be taken individually as a private class for $30.00 per hour plus $45.00 for clay.

Projects in Experienced Explorations in Metal Clay Course

This course is 3 hours weekly for 6 weeks for $450.00. Clay is $45.00 for 20 grams, or you can bring your own. This is the quickest and most economical way to prepare for certification if that is your goal. After these projects, you are ready for certification. Any of the following three classes can be taken individually as a private class.

Whole Lotta Hollow Forms

These versatile forms and beads can be made in unlimited styles and textures. They can be open ended or capped and can be used for bracelets, earrings, rings, and pendants. You will use armatures, templates, and combustible materials to create the hollow forms that make your designs lightweight and dimensional.

Rings and Things

Everyone loves interesting rings. There is quite a learning curve in making a successful ring. In this project, I will teach you how to make your own ring mandrels and the necessary skills you need to make your rings strong and account for the shrinkage of metal clay. You will learn how to guarantee the correct size of your rings every time.

Falling Leaves

Metal clay is an amazing material that conforms to all kinds of shapes. Organic material is used to create a leaf that will be made into a pendent. It can be embellished with stones and appliques. You will learn how to successfully add silver to certain leaves for the best outcome. Paste will be required for this project—you can purchase it from me or bring your own.

Level One Certification

After completing the two metal clay courses, and with some practice, you may choose to take a level one certification. This is scheduled when there are two or more students ready to become certified and choose to do so. Please see the Certification Description page for more information.


Taking the courses is the quickest and most economical way to build your skills, especially if your goal is to become a certified metal clay artist and level one instructor.

Advanced Artistry Workshops

These workshops are geared for experienced metal clay artists. They will be approximately 6 hours long, and some will be for more than 1 day. They will usually be on a weekend and be posted on this website and Facebook in advance. I'll also be sending an email in advance. Check back for more info, and make sure to give me your email address.


Some examples of the upcoming workshops are:

        • Glass and Silver Metal Clay
        • “Get the Gold” - Using Keum Boo and 22 and 24 K Gold Accents on Silver Metal Clay
      • The New EZ 960 Sterling Clay
      • Copper Clay and Patinas

You can jump in anywhere in the curriculum.


Any of the Exploration Classes listed can be completed as a single class private lesson. The rate is $35.00 per hour plus clay or you can opt to bring your own.

Level One Certification

After completing these courses, and with some practice, you may choose to take a level one certification. This is scheduled when there are two or more students ready to become certified and choose to do so. Please see the Certification Description page for more information.


Taking the courses is the quickest and most economical way to build your skills, especially if your goal is to become a certified metal clay artist and level one instructor.

Open Studio (TBA)

You need to practice what you have learned, but you may have questions while you work on your creations. In the open studio, we work together on individual projects with teacher support and assistance. There is no formal teaching, but you will also learn a lot from being with other students of all levels who like to work together for fun and inspiration.


You can use the kiln and equipment, but you must bring your own tools and clay products or purchase them from me when you need them.

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