Rio Grande PMC® Certification Program
Class Schedule Registration About Rio Rewards Our Instructors FAQ Contact Shop Now

 

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.

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: $495 (non-refundable)*


Register early and save.

Register 90 days before the start date and save $75
Register 60 days before the start date and save $50
Register 30 days before the start date and save $25

  Rio Rewards Schedule

Richmond, CA Fri-Sun, March 2-4, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Patrik Kusek  • Class #: 514  • Availability: OPEN

Havelock, NC Sat-Mon March 17-19, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Terry Kovalcik  • Class #: 498  • Availability: OPEN

Spring, TX Fri-Sun March 23-25, 2012 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Patrik Kusek  • Class #: 500  • Availability: OPEN

Maple Grove, MN Fri-Sun, March 23-25, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Chris Darway  • Class #: 504  • Availability: OPEN

Englewood, CO Fri-Sun, March 23-25, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Barbara Becker Simon  • Class #: 505  • Availability: OPEN

Scottsdale , AZ Fri-Sun, April 6-8, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Patrik Kusek  • Class #: 516  • Availability: OPEN

Altamonte Springs, FL Fri-Sun, April 13-15, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Terry Kovalcik  • Class #: 506  • Availability: OPEN

Bristol, RI Fri-Sun, April 20-22, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Chris Darway  • Class #: 502  • Availability: OPEN

San Diego, CA Fri-Sun, April 27-29, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Terry Kovalcik  • Class #: 520  • Availability: OPEN

Bellevue, WA Fri-Sun April 27-29, 2012 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Patrik Kusek  • Class #: 499  • Availability: OPEN

Fair Oaks, CA Fri-Sun, May 11-13, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Patrik Kusek  • Class #: 510  • Availability: OPEN

Scarborough, ME Fri-Sun, May 11-13, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Tim McCreight  • Class #: 515  • Availability: OPEN

Portland, OR Fri-Sun, June 1-3, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: J. Fred Woell  • Class #: 509  • Availability: OPEN

Cazenovia, NY Fri-Sun, June 1-3, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Terry Kovalcik  • Class #: 512  • Availability: OPEN

Fort Mitchell, KY Sun-Tues, June 24-26, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Chris Darway  • Class #: 511  • Availability: OPEN

Pittsburg , PA Fri-Sun, July 13-15, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Chris Darway  • Class #: 513  • Availability: OPEN

Chagrin Falls, OH Fri-Sun, July 13-15, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Terry Kovalcik  • Class #: 519  • Availability: OPEN

Albuquerque, NM Fri-Sun, July 27-29, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Chris Darway  • Class #: 521  • Availability: OPEN

Rochester, NY Fri-Sun, August 17-19, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Patrik Kusek  • Class #: 518  • Availability: OPEN

Maryville, TN Fri-Sun, August 24-26, 2012 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Barbara Becker Simon  • Class #: 508  • Availability: OPEN

Snohomish, WA Fri-Sun, September 7-9, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Patrik Kusek  • Class #: 503  • Availability: OPEN

Englewood, CO Fri-Sun, September 28-30, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Terry Kovalcik  • Class #: 507  • Availability: OPEN

Scottsdale , AZ Fri-Sun, October 5-7, 2012, 9am-5pm
More Info Instructor: Patrik Kusek  • Class #: 517  • Availability: OPEN

If you have questions or would like to register by phone, please call 505.839.3010 Ext2 (local), or 800.870.0111 Ext 2 (toll-free).

Email: nperea@riogrande.com

*Cancellations: If the need to cancel should arise, funds will be applied to another class. Cancel at least three weeks prior to the scheduled class day or incur a $40 fee.

 

Class ScheduleRegistrationAbout Rio RewardsOur InstructorsFAQ
Contact
Shop NowDownloads
Rio Rewards Program, 7500 Bluewater Road NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121-1962
phone: 800.870.0111 x5 • fax: 800.965.2329 • email: nperea@riogrande.com