SILVER has been introduced to Silverdale with the arrival of a new craft – moulding silver objects out of metal clay at Craftworks Studio.

The clay comprises recycled silver powder and recycled paper which, once exposed to intense heat, burns away leaving an item of silver.

The clay is produced in Japan, but was originally a Mayan invention used by the Aztecs.

Jersey jeweller Glyn Mitchell was in Silverdale teaching a group of people – including Craftworks owner Martin Whiteman – how to show others the art of clay moulding. He also gave four workshops.

The workshops were fully booked as soon as they were advertised, said Martin.

'I have been turning people away,' he said. 'I had to create another dimension to the studio, people love the ceramic painting, but there is only so much pottery you can take home.

'People enjoy the space here and they want to do something different and new. It's quite exciting to do this at my age. I spent 40 years learning how to make shoes, the last six-and-a-half years painting pottery and now I am learning how to make jewellery.

'It is important to bring knowledge like this over to the Island.'

Glyn is a goldsmith who reached the top of his profession working for Asprey's. In 1996, he was granted the freedom of the city of London after creating an 18-carat gold and enamel tea set for the Queen.

He also ran his own enamel restoration business for six years.

Glyn opened a ceramic studio, Belmont Crafts, in 2000.

He opened the UK's first metal clay studio, Quick Silver, which attracts 200,000 visitors a year and the Jersey Silver Studio, to teach students metal clay work.

He now travels around the world teaching working with metal clay.

The substance feels like play dough and brings what was once the exclusive realm of silversmith workers to the general public.

'That's the amazing thing about it, you can make a piece of jewellery out of something,' said Glyn. 'In half an hour you can go home with a gleaming beautiful ring. Now for the first time ever, you can do it yourself.'

'You do not have to be artistic or creative, you can just pick up a leaf and paint this on the back, anyone can do that stuff.'

Some beautiful and individual items were produced at Silverdale.
Craftworks is focusing on silver, but gold metal clay is available on request.

For information on workshops, email: Craftworks_studio@manx.net or telephone 823244.

Silver clay costs £1 a gram; start up kits (containing basic tools, 15 grams of silver metal clay – which is enough for two rings – and a tuition DVD) can be bought at Craftworks and Martin offers a free firing service