What kind of silver metal clay jeweller are you?
Questions 1 - 8
- You’ve just opened a fresh pack of clay. What is your first instinct?
- A) "I want to wrap it back up again! I'd like to know the rules—how do I make pieces which look professional from the very beginning?"
- B) "I want to make different pieces, not just pendants, but how am I going to turn this piece of clay into a ring?"
- C) "I'm cool with making silver pieces! But every time I look at a piece, I wish it had a gemstone, for a bit of sparkle or a pop of colour."
- What is your current "Jewellery Nemesis"?
- A) I guess it's the unknown. I’m overwhelmed by the techniques and don't want to waste expensive clay.
- B) It's definitely sizing. I’m worried that I'll make a ring that only fits a doll or a giant. Honestly, I need help.
- C) I call it the "Plain" look. I've mastered using the silver clay, but now my pieces feel like they're missing something - the "WOW" factor.
- Choose your dream studio vibe:
- A) I love a super tidy studio desk with a clear "A-Z" plan and every tool in its correct place.
- B) I would have a beautiful tray full of everything I need to make stunning rings. I'd have ring mandrels, sizing guides, bezel templates, texture moulds and of course, gemstones galore!
- C) I'm all about the glitz! I'd have a rainbow of jars of glittering gemstones and beautiful shades of glass-like, enamel powders.
- What would make you do a "Happy Dance" at your kitchen table or studio workbench?
- A) Getting my first piece torch fired properly and seeing it shine when I start to polish it!
- B) Sliding a perfectly sized, handmade silver metal clay ringband onto my finger which was good enough to sell.
- C) I think I could be good at enamelling if I just took that first step. I'd be so happy seeing a splash of teal enamel, like those you show on Instagram, transform a pair of plain silver leaf earrings.
- How do you feel about adding colour to your silver?
- A) I’m still focused on getting the silver part right first!
- B) I’m more interested in the textures and patterns, but I'd probably want to add a bit of colour, perhaps a gemstone, sometime in the future.
- C) I’m bored of plain silver—I want to learn the "magic" of adding gemstones or enamels to my jewellery, for that upmarket, professional finish.
- If you could give a handmade gift today, what would it be?
- A) A beautiful, fine silver leaf necklace that tells a story of a walk together in the woods, or of a favourite tree in my garden.
- B) A gorgeous, textured statement ring that feels expensive.
- C) A professional-looking piece with a perfectly set gemstone or a unique enamelled piece.
- When you think about using a "Handheld Torch" to fire your pieces, what's your gut reaction?
- A) I’m a bit nervous! I don't get it. It's what puts me off making jewellery because I know I need someone to hold my hand through the firing process.
- B) I'm okay with the heat. I've practiced quite a bit with torch firing flat pieces, but how do I torch fire a ring band without it warping or breaking?
- C) I love torch firing and would love to try melting enamel powders, learn more about which gemstones I can torch fire, and which ones I can add after firing.
- What is your ultimate goal for your jewellery hobby?
- A) To finally stop watching YouTube and actually finish a professional piece of jewellery.
- B) To master the "Masterclass" skill of ringmaking because it's the one piece that all my family and friends ask me to make!
- C) To create high-end, gallery-worthy pieces, which I can sell both online and in a bricks and mortar shop.
HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS?
MAYÂ 1st - Episode 20 of ASK ANNA has gone live in the Silver Clay Cafe!
"Did you know that membership is only £35 for a whole year?! THE SILVER CLAY CAFE is the place to catch up with regular episodes of ASK ANNA video series, where I answer all your questions. Learn new techniques and see what tools and materials I'm using every month. It's the best library of technique videos, Q&A's and Top Tips and it sits on my website in your own members area.
Click the link below to join and watch the latest new episode."
All the best, Anna x
JOIN NOW and get a year's SILVER CLAY CAFE MEMBERSHIP for ONLY ÂŁ35!THE RESULTS
Mostly A’s: The Brave Beginner
The "Aha!" Moment: You realize that watching a dozen random YouTube videos isn’t the same as having a professional mentor. You’re tired of "guessing" when the clay is dry or wondering if your piece will crumble into dust after torch firing. You want the secrets to success without the expensive trial and error. You don't want a "hobby" result; you want a piece of jewellery that looks like it came from a jewellery store.
Your Match: The Silver Metal Clay MEGACOURSE!
This course feels like being with me in a workshop but you get to rewind the day over and over again, until you get it. I promise, you'll go from "squishy clay" to "solid silver" in no time, because this course is your shortcut to success. I will take you by the hand, through every step of the process, and remove all the "what ifs."
- The Transformation: In just one afternoon, you’ll go from being "metal clay curious" to holding a beautiful piece of solid fine silver jewellery in your hand.
- Why it’s for you: You can stop worrying about wasting clay, because there's no doubt that it's an expensive material. The MEGACOURSE gives you the rock-solid foundation that you're crying out for, so you can go on to make many pieces of beautiful jewellery with total confidence in the future.
THE RESULTS
Mostly B’s: The Ring Leader
The "Aha!" Moment: You’ve made beautiful pendants, but every time you think about making a ring, you procrastinate. Isn't that a great word? I know because I use it all the time! Worrying about the "shrinkage factor" has held you back and even though you've watched quite a few Youtube videos, you’re still worried about getting the joins right or worse still, finishing rings and finding out that they  two sizes too small.
Pendants are great, but it sounds like you’re ready to join the circus and be a "Ring Leader."
Your Match: The Silver Metal Clay RINGMAKING MASTERCLASS
Rings are the most requested item of jewellery in the world—don't let them get the better of you!
In this course, you'll learn the art of the perfect fit. I’ll show you how to calculate shrinkage, join bands seamlessly, and create rings that look like they came from a high-end boutique.
- The Transformation: I reveal my "secret sauce" for calculating shrinkage and you’ll learn to create seamless joins and make ringbands that feel expensive and professional. Not least because this course automatically includes my Gemstone Bezel Setting Course, so you will be able to find out how to add that bit of sparkle to your rings, without having to buy another course.
- Why it’s for you: Imagine the confidence of someone asking "Can you make me a size P?" and you being able to say "Yes!" without a moment's hesitation. That's how you'll feel after making your first few silver metal clay rings. You can get that expensive feeling, whether you're making fine, no-join bands to sell at fairs, or bespoke commissions for one-off creations.
THE RESULTS
Mostly C’s: The Gemstone Guru
The "Aha!" Moment: You’ve mastered the silver basics, and your pieces are lovely—but you're feeling that they’re starting to look a bit "samey." You want to try a new style but you're not sure what to go for. It sounds like you're ready to graduate from "silver only" to more "high-end pieces," which have that professional "designer" look that only comes from adding vibrant colour or a sparkling gemstone.
Your Match: The Gemstone Bezel Setting Course
There's no doubt that you have an eye for luxury and detail. You know that silver is beautiful, but adding a stone makes it worth more, so you’re ready to add gemstones and will absolutely take bezel setting in your stride!
This feels like a bit of me! I’ll teach you how to securely set beautiful gemstones into your designs for that high-end, professional "WOW" factor.
- The Transformation: You move from being a "maker" to being a "jeweller." Your pieces becomes instantly more valuable, more giftable, and more 'YOU.'
- Why it's for you: you can stop "pushing" stones into wet clay and hoping they'll stay put. Discover the technical brilliance of a bezel, including one you've bought and one you've made yourself. It’s the difference between making a craft project and creating a piece of fine silver jewellery.
- And if you're on a roll and would like to try working to pure colour, how about Enamelling Made Easy? Discover the magic of "firing powdered glass" to transform your pieces into a signature style that will stand out in a crowded market.
