Instructor: Kim Rumberger
Wednesday, July 22
10am - 4pm
1 session at the Main Campus

Elevate your jewelry-making skills by mastering the art of the stone setting a fire-proof gem. In this focused workshop, you will learn how to securely set a beautiful gemstone within a custom silver clay bezel and fire it in place as an inclusion.

From initial design to final polish, you will craft a unique background for your stone and create a one-of-a-kind fine silver pendant. Guided by professional techniques, you will design, refine, and finish a meaningful heirloom piece to cherish - or to gift to someone special. By the end of the session, your pendant will be fully fired, finished, and ready to wear home.

Note: Fire-safe gems will be available during this class, and are not included in the materials fee. Because each design will be unique, you must choose your own size and color, and prices vary slightly from stone to stone. Only lab-created stones can be safely fired, so please do not bring any of your own from home. All Kim’s stones are very affordable – most under $10!

Metal Clay is an innovative material that combines recycled, environmentally friendly powdered metal - such as silver, bronze, brass, or steel - with a non-toxic, plant-based binder and water. It handles much like ceramic clay, allowing you to sculpt, shape, drill, and carve with incredible precision.

The transformation occurs during the firing process. When heated with a kiln or a kitchen torch, the binder burns away, and the powdered particles fuse into solid metal, capturing textures and fine details beautifully.

Because silver clay is the purest form of silver (containing no other added metals), the finished pieces are naturally tarnish-resistant and can be hallmarked as .999 Silver. To further enhance your design, you can also apply a patina to add depth and make those intricate details truly pop.

Experience Level: No prior experience with metal clay is necessary to join—each class is designed for beginners and experienced makers alike.

Tools: The instructor will provide all necessary tools and materials for the session. However, if you already own metal clay tools, you are more than welcome to bring them along!

Materials: A 7 gram package of Project X .999 silver metal clay (value $36) will be included in the class fee. If you need additional clay, it may be purchased by weight (you will not have to purchase another full package) when your piece is weighed at the end of the class. Note: an average finished piece weighs 6 – 7 grams.

Findings (chains, ear wires, clasps, jump rings, etc.) will vary depending on what you decide your project will be. These will be available for purchase at the end of the class. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.

Kim Rumberger is an internationally recognized award-winning Cape Cod metal clay jewelry artist and instructor. She creates one-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry and small sculpture, and teaches metal clay classes at various locations on the Cape and beyond.  She was one of 24 elite metal clay artists to present at the Alliance for Metal Clay Artists Worldwide (AMCAW) first ever international metal clay conference in May 2022, sharing her unique “outside the box” techniques for setting stones that are fired in place. Kim also mentors high school students through the MassHire, ArtWorks, program, and was named 2022 Mentor of the Year for the Cape & Islands.  She has volunteered on a number of art and education boards over the years and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Cape Cod Museum of Art. Kim and her husband Tim reside in Hyannis, where her studio is attached to their home. Her business is called Metal And Beads. www.metalandbeads.com