About the Instructor

Colleen White, silversmith and lapidary, is the owner of The Village Gem Shop in the Bradenton Village of the Arts. She is an experienced instructor in the jewelry arts and teaches jewelry, precious metal clay, and polymer clay classes for the Sarasota School Board's Adult Community Education series. This year she will also be giving classes at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, Art Center Manatee, and Art Center Sarasota. Throughout the season there will be group workshops and private classes given at The Village Gem Shop or her home studio. Colleen is available for jewelry parties and home shows, contact her for scheduling. With over 30 years of jewelry design and construction, she teaches beaded and wire jewelry, polymer clay, Precious Metal Clay, silversmithing, and stone cutting (lapidary arts). Private classes are at her shop or home studio in SW Bradenton, or if you get 4 or more, she can bring the beading, PMC or polymer classes to your location. All that is required is a table to work on and (for polymer clay) a electric outlet. For more information or to schedule a class or show, contact: dragonfiremail@aol.com

Fall/Winter 2010-11 Group Classes

Beading Classes

Beginner's Beaded Jewelry

Day Classes

Dates: Sept. 13,20,27, Oct. 4,11
Time: Mondays 10-12 A.M.
Location: Art Center Manatee, 209 9th St W. Bradenton
To sign up online: www.artcentermanatee.org
To sign up by phone: 746.2862
Cost: $80. Members, $105. non-members + $20 lab fee

Dates: Tuesdays, Winter Schedule to come
Location: Longboat Key Center for the Arts, 6860 Longboat Dr. S., Longboat Key
To sign up online: www.ringling.edu/LKBCA
By phone: 941.383.2345
Cost: $120.00 per session or $204.00 for sessions A & B
Materials list given on sign up.

Dates: Wednesdays, Jan 5th thru Feb 9th
Time: Wednesdays, 1-4 P.M.
Location: Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
To sign up online: www.artsarasota.org
By phone: 365.2032
Cost: $110.00 + $20.00 lab fee

Beaded Jewelry II

You've learned the basics. Now expand your design possibilities with new skills in beading. Learn multi-strand stringing techniques using Beadalon, how to use a wire jig to make your own earwires, clasps, and ornamental shapes, how to do more with memory wire, and simple wire wraps for beads in this exciting and fun class. Bring your tools and materials from Beginners Beaded Jewelry. Prerequisite: Beginners Beaded Jewelry. Materials list for class provided on signup.

Evening Class

Day Classes

Precious Metal Clay - Bronze Clay Class

Using the new BRONZCLAY(TM) from Metal Adventures, learn how to make pendants, earrings and beads out of pure bronze. In this class, you will learn the basic techniques for working in precious metal clays and create your own original design jewelry. Included are stone setting, using stamps and texture plates, using natural materials for textures, building hollow beads and finishing techniques. BRONZCLAY is easily molded, sculpted, carved and formed and becomes solid bronze when fired. Join us to experience this exciting and inexpensive new medium - bronze is the "new" metal this season!

Evening Class

Day Classes

Dates: Mondays, Schedule to come
Time: 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. or 1 P.M. to 4 P.M.
Location: Longboat Key Center for the Arts, 6860 Longboat Dr. S., Longboat Key
To sign up online: www.ringling.edu/LKBCA
By phone: 941.383.2345
Cost: $120.00 per session or $204.00 for sessions A & B

To schedule a private class, home show, or workshop, use the email address above. Leave your contact information, and I will get back to you immediately to schedule a date.

Silversmithing and Stone Cutting Classes

Home Jewelry Shows

Precious Metal Clay Workshops

Welcome to the fascinating world of Precious Metal Clay! This exciting new material is perfect for workshops and easy enough for inexperienced crafters. I offer introductory and advanced PMC classes including two different bead workshops. I am an experienced instructor, certified in PMC and member of the PMC Guild of America, with over thirty years of jewelry design, silversmithing and lapidary arts, and bead work. When you schedule a class, I will provide all materials and use of tools for the class, PMC, the kiln for final firing, and a tumbler for optional polishing of the class projects. Classes run 3-4 hours including firing and polishing time for PMC silver.

I charge a fee of $45.00 plus materials (usually $15-$55 for PMC depending on the type, project, and current market) per student for each workshop, and have many accessories (texturing plates, molds, and tools) for you to experiment with. NEW!! Now Bronze Clay and Copper Clay have been introduced, at a much lower cost than PMC silver, making for larger or multiple pieces at a much lower cost. Classes can be one on one or group, although I limit it to 6 students at my studio for more personalized instruction. Get some friends together for a PMC party and create jewelry for each other! When you schedule a class, a non-refundable materials fee must be paid at least one week in advance so I can order the specific supplies for each project. I will supply everything including PMC, CZ's, toolkits, enamels, earwires, bisque bead forms, hollow core forms, etc. Besides providing all supplies, if you decide you want your own take-home toolkit I can assemble them for you at a reasonable cost with what I have found to be the most useful items, or give you a list and sources so you can assemble your own. Most PMC silver may be fired and finished the same day. Copper and bronze clay require overnight firing times, so can only be used in multi-day workshops. Firing fee is included in cost of workshop. Watch my winter workshop schedule for silver, copper and bronze clay workshops at The Village Gem Shop. See the Winter schedule above or email: dragonfiremail@aol.com for more information.

Beginner Projects

Textured pendant
Create a textured pendant set with a CZ. I will supply a selection of texture plates, rubber stamps and CZ's for your project.

Textured Earrings
Complete a matched pair of earrings using various texture plates, rubber stamps and CZ'z for the students, and sterling silver earwires for hanging.

Woven PMC pin
Learn how to "weave" PMC+ paper and create a pin with a woven overlay on PMC clay. Optional CZ setting in pendant.

Leaf Casts
Make a "leaf cast" with layers PMC slip - becomes a perfect pure silver leaf on firing. Use it to create a pendant or pin.

Folded PMC Paper Pendant
A delicate favorite, you will learn to fold PMC+ paper into various shapes, and add CZ stones to their creations.

Hollow Bead
How to make a burn-away core and construct a hollow bead and decorate it with clay ornamentation using PMC and CZ's if desired.

PMC Slip beads over Bisque
Coat a bisque bead with PMC slip and decorate with slip in a tube.

Rings with stones : sizing and stone setting
Learn how to size a ring with PMC shrinkage factored in and construct a flat band and center medallion with inset stone using PMC3 and CZ's. Band may be textured with various texture plates and stamps I will provide.

Mold Making and Using Molds with PMC
Learn to make a mold with Belicold two part silicone molding compound and use this to create a molded pendant. You are encouraged to bring your favorite flat small object to mold. Antique buttons are great for this project!

Photopolymer Plates
Learn how any black and white design can be turned into a stamp plate to use with your precious metal clay. Using a light sensative photopolymer plate, you will create a stamp and use it to make a pendant in PMC.

Geometric Forms with PMC
Although PMC is wonderful for free form designs, very exact geometric forms can be accomplished, using paper patterns, slip to connect pieces, and careful sanding while in the hard clay stage. These forms may be used to create numerous jewelry objects.

Advanced Stone Setting and Clay Carving Techniques
For the steady of hand (and nerves!) in this workshop a pendant will be created, dried to the hard clay stage, pierced with hand drills and files while in the hard clay stage, and "prong" set CZ stones will be added using PMC+ clay & slip. You will learn what stones may be fired "in place" and how to add sterling prong settings to a PMC piece for stones that cannot be put in a kiln.

Mixing enamels with PMC
By mixing enamels directly into silver PMC clay before firing, a striking effect is obtained. Different colors may be mixed in each piece of jewelry. (For example, green into the leaves and purples into the flower petals of a flower pendant.)

Enameling on PMC
Create a stamped or textured pendant and after firing and polishing, enamel it. I use lead-free Thompson enamels, and this workshop will take a minimum of 4 hours.

Hinged Box Pendants
Students will create a box pendant with a lid that will be hinged on with sterling wire. A CZ or small molded PMC object may be set inside the "Box" for a surprise element to the design.

If you would rather have a five part course on handling all types of PMC, I also offer five week beginners and advanced courses. I have found that most students prefer to "pick" their projects so I broke it down into the workshops, but this is another option.

Beading Workshops and Parties

Beaded Elastic Bracelets
Learn to string single and multistrand elastic bracelets - these make wonderful quick gift items. Bring your charms to add in! $15.00 for one bracelet, $20. for two.

Making A Bracelet with Beadalon and Crimp Beads
How to use coated jewelry wire and crimp beads to make bracelets. Add your own charms. Includes clasp! $20.00 for one, $25.00 for two bracelets

Necklaces with Beadalon & Crimp Beads
How to use coated jewelry wire and crimp beads to make a 20" long necklace. Add your own dangles, charms, or pendants. Includes clasp! $25.00 for one, $30.00 for two.

Memory Wire Bracelet
Using memory wire and assorted beads, make a spiral bracelet that adjusts to any size wrist. Includes learning 3 ways to finish off ends, adding dangles and charms, and this is a great project to add rear shank buttons to - look through your old button box or check the local fabric stores for glittery baubles! $20.00 @

Earrings
How to use headpins, earwires and beads to make beautiful earrings to match any outfit. A great gift item, quick and easy to make. Learn to make both open and wrapped loops, and link them for a longer earring. $15.00 one pair, $6.00 each additional pair.

Polymer Clay Workshops

Each Workshop runs approx. 3 hours. All tools and materials are included, except where a REQUIRED tool is noted. Maximum 6 students in each workshop so individual attention can be given. Get your friends together and have a "Clay Play Day"! The Basic Polymer Bead workshop is a great "starter" class to introduce you to the working properties of this exciting medium, but you don't have to start there - most projects are easy enough for anyone to make and take home beautiful pendants and beads. Beginners and Faux Stone classes are $45.00 per student, Advanced Classes are $50.00 per student which includes ALL materials and use of tools.

Beginner's Workshops

Basic Polymer Beads
Love making beaded jewelry? Now you can learn to make your own custom beads in this workshop that begins with an introduction to the materials and tools for bead making, including techniques and tools for conditioning raw clay, mixing colors, measuring and making simple shapes, including round, disk, folded saddle, spiral, lentil and shells. This workshop is recommended for anyone who has not worked with polymer clay before as it will give you experience in the properties of polymer clay and basic handling, shaping, and finishing techniques. Includes primary colors (red,yellow,blue) plus black & white clays.

Making Faux Antique Metal Beads and Pendants
In this workshop you will learn to make different bead and pendant shapes, using texture plates, cutters, and rubber stamps to impress designs, then finish with metallic rubs to imitate the look of antique metals.

Wrapped Rope Twist Beads
Two techniques are covered in this workshop. How to use an extruder to make strings of graduated color to wrap or decorate beads, and using the extruder to make multicolored rope twist beads which are sliced on the sides to reveal layers of color. Also an added bonus - how to use silver rubs on black clay to make faux "Tribal Silver" beads. REQUIRES an extruder.

Appliqué Beads
How to make "bumpy beads" appliquéd with layers of color! Simulates the look of lamp worked beads at a fraction of the cost! Includes finishing techniques for that "glassy" look.

Rorschach Beads
These mirror image designs are also called "inside out" beads as the insides are literally turned to the outside to produce the fascinating and unpredictable effects. With just two colors of clay, you will produce amazing designs on rectangular beads by simply rolling and slicing.

Picture Frame Pendants
Participants are asked to bring a 1 1/2"sq. print (Not on photo paper, but computer printout, copy, or magazine picture) which they will frame under glass with a decorative clay border, and finish in a antique gold or silver finish. Great gift item which can be made into a pendant or pin.

Pendants with Glass Inserts
Embedding glass "pebbles" into clay and embellishing the frame to make a glittering focal piece. with the look of a stained glass window. Includes finishing with metallic rubs for a antique gold or silver look.

Create your own Totem Pendant
This creative workshop starts with a prefired face, which students will mount on a pendant, then add clay "hair", headdresses, jewelry, and beads to create their own "Goddess" or Totem pendant. Participants are encouraged to bring small metal or glass beads and embellishments to add to their creation. One of the most interesting and fun workshops, as everyone comes up with something different!

Making Faux Stone Beads and Pendants

Faux Turquoise
Using polymer clay and acrylic paint, you will learn how to make both Southwestern and (sky-blue) and Eastern (greenish-blue) turquoise. Shaped or nugget beads and pendants are all covered in this workshop.

Veined Marble
Mixing translucent clays and pearl powders with paint and colored clays can produce authentic looking marble. Includes wet sanding and finishing techniques - this one requires a little elbow grease!

Faux Jade
Mixing translucent and colored clays to create realistic looking mottled green jade in various shapes and sizes.

Faux Pearl
Mixing and layering pearl clay with color to create striking mother of pearl look shapes. Also how to use pearl powders to create "pearl" beads of all colors.

Faux Lapis Lazuli
Make stunning Lapis lazuli using clay and gold leaf to simulate the various shades of lapis, from pale "denim" lapis to AAA Afghanistan deep blues.

Onyx
How to use various layers of clays and acrylic paint to build stunning layered beads with the look of banded onyx. REQUIRES a pasta rolling machine.

Faux Amber
Mixing colored clays with translucents and finishing with acrylic paint to create realistic looking "amber" of various shades.

Faux Coral
Mixing colors, extruding, rolling, pinching & forming, texturing and finishing with acrylic paint are all part of this workshop where you will create authentic looking "coral branches" and beads. An extruder is helpful but not required, hand rolling can be substituted.

Faux Ivory & Bone
Using a simple layering technique and acrylic paint, you will create pendants and beads of various shapes and sizes with the look of carved bone or ivory. Includes how to create a "carved bone" pendant with designs of your choice. REQUIRES a pasta rolling machine.

Advanced Classes

Mokume Gane: Using Mica Shift clays to produce faux mokume gane. This amazingly complex looking finish is actually easy to reproduce in polymer clay. Make sheets of mokume gane to cover beads or other small objects. Simply stunning! REQUIRES a pasta rolling machine.

Hills & Valleys: Using a mokume gane technique and metallic foils, striking glittery swirled beads can easily be created an any combination of colors. One of the easier but most impressive looking techniques for making beads that look like Venetian glass. Can also be used to cover boxes or other small objects. REQUIRES a pasta rolling machine.

Faux Dichroic Glass Pendants or Beads: How to use foils, powders, and paint to reproduce the look of expensive dichroic glass! The results of this exciting technique will amaze you! REQUIRES a pasta rolling machine.

Molded Faux Enameled Pendants: Using rubber stamps, metallic powders, oil paints and liquid polymer clay to create beautiful pendants with the look of Cloisonné work. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite rubber stamps - just remember the design MUST make a narrow raised rim to hold the faux "enamel".

Skinner Blends and Simple Canes: How to make "Skinner blends" - combining 2 or more different colors of clay so they blend smoothly from one solid color to another. NOTE: A pasta rolling machine is REQUIRED to make a Skinner blend. Then how to combine the blends with solid colors in rolled logs to produce striking spiral patterned beads and pendants.

Combing and Feathering: How to mix, roll, and comb clay to produce the look of "knitted" patterns on beads or pendants of various shapes. REQUIRES a pasta rolling machine.

Flower Power Canes: Learn to make simple flower canes to reproduce the look of milifiore beads. an also be used to cover boxes or other small objects. REQUIRES a pasta rolling machine.

Kaleidoscope Canes: Using black, white, and colored clays, Skinner blends, and simple canes to make designs reminiscent of kaleidoscope patterns. Use these canes to make beads, pendants, or cover small objects. REQUIRES a pasta rolling machine.

Leaf Canes: This more complicated caning technique teaches how to create a cane that when sliced, looks like veined leaves. Wonderful to combine with flower canes, layer over scrap clay for a focal bead, cover boxes or small objects, or simply use thick slices by themselves for an exciting "leaf" bead. REQUIRES a pasta rolling machine.