Then people can move on to beads, hollow forms, box making, and candleholders. We also give six hours of free lab time for experimenting. After taking a class, anyone can drop in, buy a half-ounce of clay and work on their own. The studio also teaches traditional metalsmithing and lost wax casting, but the clay studio takes up two thirds of the space. Solomon, who taught for seven years at the Gemological Institute of America, is certainly optimistic.
People really seem to enjoy seeing their work transformed into precious metal.
PMC definitely has its enthusiasts, though other workshop leaders have noticed a waning of interest as the novelty factor fades. It may have limited appeal for seasoned metalsmiths but it definitely offers new options and opportunities to people who long to work in metal but don't have years to invest in training. In time, PMC will probably find its way into many interesting and innovative uses. After all, the experiment has just begun. To put PMC to use, see Precious Metal Clay Pendant by Linda Kaye-Moses in April 1998 print Jewelry Journal.