Oxfordshire Adult Learning

Tuesday - Thursday evenings I teach for Oxfordshire Adult Learning. I teach Tuesday in Thame, Wednesday in Eynsham and Thursday at Oxford & Cherwell College. I really enjoy it and always have a fabulous class to work with. All the classes are mixed ability so I have some complete beginners to more advanced learners.....some of which have been with me for 4 years!! We have three terms a year that run the same time as school term and for 10 weeks. It always amazes me how much can be made on a 10 week/ 20 hour course.

This term we explored the idea of lost wax casting. Sarah Pulvertaft another adult learning tutor uses this technique and came over to my shop last year to participate in a casting evening with me for our classes. We found out details of casters, materials and tools we needed and had a go. (I didn't unfortunately because I didn't have the time - but I will at some point!!!)

There were all sorts of things made....rings, pendants, lizards, beads, doves and more. Here's some of them in there unfinished state.


There's all sorts of other techniques being used too such as fusing - this bracelets been made using the fusing technique. Fusing is when you take your scrap of new pieces of metal, place it together and heat it until it begins to melt. This then joins the metal toghther without the need for soldering.


These bracelets have been made using the etching technique. Etching is when you use a dilute nitric acid solution to eat away the surface of silver. To create the pattern on these bracelets Sarah used stickers, then coated the whole piece in nail varnish, let it dry then removed the stickers. The nail varnish acts as a stop out and prevents the acid from eating away the metal in those specific areas - very effective.


These bracelets have been made using the etching technique. Etching is when you use a dilute nitric acid solution to eat away the surface of silver. To create the pattern on these bracelets Sarah used stickers, then coated the whole piece in nail varnish, let it dry then removed the stickers. The nail varnish acts as a stop out and prevents the acid from eating away the metal in those specific areas - very effective.