About the Classes

Rio Grande’s Rio Rewards PMC^® Certification Program is designed for the serious and dedicated PMC enthusiast who seeks the recognition that a standardized level of expertise offers. Taught by world-class instructors, the curriculum is demanding and tests specific skills and techniques (apart from artistry) for working with PMC over the course of three days. Students who complete certification leave the class equipped with advanced skills and knowledge, prepared to teach PMC classes and to incorporate PMC into their own work.

Students should have considerable working experience with the product and should be comfortable with techniques such as joining, slip joining, hollow forms, ring construction, rolling out equal thicknesses of clay, stamping textures and working with two- and three-dimensional forms.

A series of seven specific projects test students’ proficiency in using PMC in a variety of ways. Techniques taught include stamping, carving, simple tool-making, gem-setting, building a hollow form, embellishing beads, patterning, texturing, mold-making, making slip, ring sizing, rehydrating PMC and surface finishes. Also included are various firing techniques from kiln-firing to torch-firing gold PMC, discussions on metallurgy, gemology, teaching techniques and ways to set up a PMC business. Each project is designed to present several aspects of Precious Metal Clay. By proving their skills through these pieces, students demonstrate to themselves and to the instructor that they have a solid understanding of these diverse uses of the material. Successful completion of this intense three-day workshop provides confidence for artists and teachers, preparing them for a wide range of professional pursuits. Active participation in the class is needed to get the full benefit—the photos below provide a glimpse of the projects and the intentions behind them.

	Saucer Bead This project teaches you to make a coreless hollow form and surface ornamentation.
	Double-Fire Ring This ring project offers one approach to sizing, shows how to set a heat-resistent stone, teaches double firing, and includes the use of PMC Paste.
	Relief Pendant This pendant starts with a reusable relief die, then teaches the immediacy of creating impressions. It also demonstrates carving into dry PMC.
	Tetrahedron This interesting brooch teaches how to assemble dried elements of PMC to create a planar form. It also includes the use of PMC Paste as a glue, and teaches students how to attach a pin finding using conventional soldering.
	Woven Earrings These very wearable earrings demonstrate another way to use PMC Paper, and along the way teach about delicate control, drilling, and doming.
	Band Ring with Gold This ring demonstrates the use of PMC 3 to make a ring and the use of PMC Paper as overlay embellishment. The ring is torch fired, then further ornamented with Aura 22 gold.
	PMC Pen This culminating project allows students to reuse many of the techniques taught in the preceding projects. Students will make a functional item, work to a specific size and create threads for after-firing connections.

Instructors evaluate each of the projects to assess students’ level of accomplishment. Participants who do not complete all projects during the class may send their work to the instructor for evaluation after the class. Those students whose work meets the established standard are awarded a certificate and enrolled in the Rio Rewards Program. In addition, they receive a one-year membership to the PMC Guild, a $25 value.

Limited to only 10-15 students, classes are small and guarantee plenty of one-on-one instruction. All certification classes are the same in cost, duration and established standards. While travel, meals and lodging are the responsibility of the student, tools and PMC will be provided in the class—along with finishing and mold-making materials. Students do not need to bring anything but are welcome to bring personal tools they may want to use.

Cost: $425 (non-refundable)*

 

Peoria, AZ Fri-Sun, March 5, 6 & 7, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Barbara Becker Simon  • Class #: 416  • Availability: OPEN Tallahassee, FL Fri-Sun, March 12 13 & 14, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: J. Fred Woell  • Class #: 447  • Availability: OPEN Rochester, NY Fri-Sun, April 16, 17 & 18, 2010 (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Jeanette Landenwitch  • Class #: 429  • Availability: OPEN Snohomish, WA Fri-Sun, April 16, 17 & 18, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Patrik Kusek  • Class #: 444  • Availability: OPEN Guilford, CT Fri-Sun, April 16, 17 & 18, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Chris Darway  • Class #: 445  • Availability: OPEN Havelock, NC Fri-Sun, May 7, 8 & 9, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Terry Kovalcik  • Class #: 452  • Availability: OPEN Richmond , CA Fri-Sun, May 14, 15 & 16, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Patrik Kusek  • Class #: 456  • Availability: OPEN East Rochester, NY Fri-Sun, May 21, 22 & 23, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Terry Kovalcik  • Class #: 454  • Availability: OPEN Portland, OR Sat-Mon, May 29, 30 & 31, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: J. Fred Woell  • Class #: 441  • Availability: OPEN Pittsburgh, PA Fri-Sun, June 4, 5 & 6, 2010 (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Tim McCreight  • Class #: 435  • Availability: OPEN Milwaukee, WI Sun-Tue, June 6, 7 and 8, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Chris Darway  • Class #: 453  • Availability: OPEN Stockton, NJ Fri-Sun, June 11, 12 & 13, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Chris Darway  • Class #: 455  • Availability: OPEN Bangor, ME Fri-Sun, July 9, 10 & 11, 2010 (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: J. Fred Woell  • Class #: 458  • Availability: OPEN Altamonte Springs, FL Fri-Sun, July 16, 17 & 18, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Terry Kovalcik  • Class #: 457  • Availability: OPEN Winter Harbor, ME Fri-Sun, September 17, 18 & 19, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: J. Fred Woell  • Class #: 459  • Availability: OPEN Hanover, PA Fri-Sun, October 1, 2 & 3, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Barbara Becker Simon  • Class #: 446  • Availability: OPEN Manlius, NY Fri-Sun, October 8, 9 & 10, 2010, (9:00am - 5:00pm) Instructor: Chris Darway  • Class #: 460  • Availability: OPEN