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This workshop meets Friday and Saturday, August 22 & 23, 2025, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with a lunch break each day
In this workshop, students will learn how to sculpt a realistic sea turtle that doubles as a small treasure box using sterling silver metal clay. We'll cover techniques like working with templates, using support structures to shape clay as it dries, joining dry clay elements to build a sturdy container, sculpting wet clay, and carving dry clay to add intricate details. Students will work on rolling and cutting clay, creating textures and patterns, creating and using paste, sanding and carving greenware, and molding small elements for the inside of the treasure box.
A kit fee of $155 will be collected by the instructor during the workshop.
Workshop Kit includes:
50 grams EZ 960, polymer clay, Turtle Treasure Box template, 3D nail molds, containers for pastemaking
Student Supply List
Non-stick work surface
lubricant
rolling slats/frames
roller
teflon/plastic cards
4x4 ceramic tile
5/0 round brush
#4 bright brush
water container
needle tool
scalpel or Xacto blade and holder
tissue blade
Kemper K23 clean-up modeling tool
small ball burnisher
rubber block
clay hydrator
fluffy brush to sweep clay dust
sand paper or sticks (400 and 600 grit)
brass brush
magnifier
This workshop is part of the Metal Clay Artists Symposium and requires the purchase of the General Registration.
About AJ
Hi there! I’m AJ Newell, and I’ve been a metalsmith for 15 years. Along the way, I’ve also become an enamelist and metal clay artist. Since 2018, I’ve been sharing my passion for these art forms by teaching workshops both in my own studio and as a guest instructor at other artists' studios. I love helping others discover the joys of creating with metal clay, whether they’re just starting out or looking to refine their skills. I hail from Virginia and my family roots stretch back to Ireland and Wales. My upbringing was a rich tapestry woven with fairy tales, mythology, good horror novels, and a generous serving of art history. I’m fueled by my daydreams, the melodies of music, and an insatiable curiosity to dissect and understand the inner workings of things. All these influences find their way into my sculptures and jewelry designs.
Turtle Treasure Box with AJ Newell
Please put the MCAS GENERAL REGISTRATION in your cart prior to purchasing hands-on workshops or enrolling in the Sunday Technique Discovery Workshop. The MCAS GENERAL REGISTRATION fee ($100) is non-refundable. Payment in full is required at the time of registration. Workshop fees do not include travel or accommodations. Workshop fees, less a $20 processing fee, are refundable prior to May 1, 2025, if notified in writing to metals@sawtooth.org. If you need to cancel after May 1, 2025, please notify us and we will make every effort to fill your space. If we can fill your space, we will issue you a refund less a $20 processing fee.