Holiday itinerary
The setting of your 7 night/8 day jewellery making holiday is in the glorious South West of France, in the peaceful and renowned region of Gascony, in a beautifully restored farmhouse which is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
With expert tuition from your talented tutor Caroline, you’ll learn the art of jewellery making and will design and make exquisite jewellery to take home with you at the end of your trip.
But you will not make any old jewellery; this is a jewellery making course with a difference. On this course, you will learn how to use precious metal clays (PMC, art clays etc) to craft pieces of silver jewellery, and these luxury items are something you will treasure.
Metal clays are a new jewellery making product which are easy to mould and shape – just like clay – so you’re not limited to what you can design. Watch as the metal clay is fired and turns to pure silver before your very eyes on this unique and innovative course.
This metal clay jewellery making course includes 6 days of tuition which will be spent in the well-equipped studio learning all the skills you need to make a variety of different pieces. Your jewellery made from silver metal clay is pure silver and is the perfect gift idea - handmade and individually designed by you – for a special person.
But it’s not all ‘work’ and no play - your hosts also make sure that you have time to relax and to sample the delights of Gascony, which is a gourmet’s paradise including local produce from delicious duck to succulent wild boar and charming local wines, not forgetting the allure of Gascony Armagnac, which will tickle your taste buds.
If your partner wishes to stay with you but isn't as keen to make jewellery, we have the perfect solution. We also offer a 7 night/8 day cookery expereince which runs concurrently with the jewellery making holiday and is the perfect way to discover the delicious delicacies and tantalising dishes of the region through fun and informal cookery classes and culinary excursions. Caroline's husband Adam is a passionate cook and he will guide your partner through the delights of French cooking.
This unique jewellery making holiday has it all. You’ll learn new skills, working with an exciting new product, in a setting full to the brim of like-minded sociable people. And when you return home, not only will you have some amazing memories, you will also have some luxurious silver jewellery, made by your own fair hands, to cherish forever.
Enjoy watching a piece of jewellery you have personally designed and crafted turn from mere clay into beautiful pure silver on this unique precious metal clay jewellery making holiday.
Suitability
- Suitable for all levels from beginners to those who have tried jewellery making in the past
- Minimum age 10 (children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)
- Your hosts and tutors speak English and French
Travelling Solo?
- These holidays make great singles holidays as there are NO single supplements and you will have your own private room for no additional cost
- There is a discount for 2 people travelling together and sharing a room, please see the 'costing and extras' tab for more details
Cookery Holiday For Non-Participating Partners
- If you want to join your partner on holiday but don’t want to make your own jewellery, we have the perfect cookery holiday alternative for you
- This 7 night/8 day cookery course will give you real knowledge about real French food
- Spend your days cooking up a storm in the kitchen and visiting local producers and markets to discover the real cuisine and culture of France
- Enjoy your freshly cooked dishes with spectacular local wines and Armagnac from local producers
- Chef Adam is Caroline’s husband and he will be demonstrating his passionate and fun teaching style during the course
Cookery Holiday Itinerary:
- You will have two cooking classes and at least 1 culinary excursion per day on days 2, 3, 5 and 6
- Days 4 and 7 are free days, where you will have time to explore the local attractions (breakfast, lunch and dinner are still included on these days)
- The accompanied excursions will be confirmed upon arrival but may include:
- Visit to a local duck farm/market, butcher, boulangerie/patisserie, vineyard, Armagnac producer, cheese maker, chocolatier, prune producer, organic farm, charcuterie or a range of local markets
- Accompanied tours of the cultural and historical sights surrounding the school including Auch Cathederal, Chateau Henri IV, Collégiale at La Romieu or the art gallery at the Abbaye de Flaran
Cookery Holiday Sample Dishes:
- Dishes vary according to the season and what food is available and we will discuss as a group what we want to prepare but may include:
- Duck confit, breast, stews and gratins, lapin chasseur, jalousie de porc, coq au vin, foie gras, soufflé d’epinard, various sauces, creme brulé, tarte tatin or poire Williams
Cookery Holiday Price:
- The price of this 7 night/8 day culinary holiday is £548
- All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and refreshments including wine are included for this all inclusive break
- For more details or to add this cookery course to your booking, please click on the ‘costing and extras tab’
- Please note: special dietary requirements will try to be catered for but you must inform us of these in advance of booking
Jewellery Making Holiday Start Days
- This course starts on set dates year round and starts on a Saturday
- Courses run for 7 nights/8 days
- If you can’t find the date you want, we can request additional dates so please email us on and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival
Jewellery Making Holiday Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows:
Day 1 – Arrival day
- Arrive at Agen train station to be greeted by your hosts before being driven to the farmhouse where your holiday will begin (airport collections can be arranged upon request for a supplement-please see the costing and extras tab)
- Settle into your charming room before getting to know your fellow students over delicious aperitifs
- Enjoy a social evening with a 3 course gourmet dinner served in the farmhouse kitchen along with a short introduction from your hosts about what to expect over the next few days
Day 2 - Naturals jewellery making workshop
- This morning you will go to a local delightful village market for coffee and croissants to discuss your first project designs with the rest of the group and your tutor Caroline
- You will choose something natural of your choice, such as a leaf, before returning to the studio to begin creating the jewellery of your choice
- Caroline will teach you the basic techniques with using precious metal clay (PMC) to give you maximum freedom to develop your own designs
- Lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen with views of the countryside all around to help inspire your creative side
- Those needing guidance for ideas will be supported throughout the week
- This afternoon, you will learn about the processes of designing, creating and finishing your pieces, including how to use tools such as kilns and torch burners, sanding and polishing tools
- Once your fine silver piece is finished you will be taught to add findings and beads if chosen so that your jewellery is ready to wear
- There will be free time to use all the on-site facilities before aperitifs are served by the pool
- A 3 course gourmet meal will then be served in the grounds or the farmhouse kitchen accompanied with local delicious wines
Day 3 – Ring design and visit to Armagnac distillery
- After breakfast you will create a ring design and be taught the techniques for correct sizing and achieving your chosen design
- There are several techniques to ring making which will be covered on this day from texturing, carving and stone setting
- A delicious lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen
- After lunch, you will fire and polish your ring to create the finished product
- Early evening, you will visit a family run Armagnac distillery (which Gascony is famous for) and learn how it is made and the history behind it and, more importantly, tasting before returning for dinner back at the farmhouse
Day 4 – Learning about metal clays and wine tasting
- Following breakfast, you will try other types of metal clay in the workshop and learn how they work and are fired
- Try your hand using bronzes and coppers, or what is available for your week
- You will have fun making your chosen designs using the different clays and new techniques
- Lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen depending on the season
- Late afternoon you will visit a beautiful chateau famous for its aperitifs and wines for an afternoon of wine tasting
- Dinner will be served back at the farmhouse giving you time to relax in the lounge or by the swimming pool firstly, or to take advantage of one of the onsite activities such as table tennis or cycling
Day 5 – Making glass cabochons using glass fusing and visit to Condom
- After breakfast, you’ll choose your glass and colours and learn how to prepare the glass for fusing
- Once made, these can be used in learning the techniques for setting stones and setting them in one of your own designs
- Late morning we will go to the pretty market town of Condom for coffee and a chat with local artists living in the area to gain an insight into their creative vision and help to give you ideas for new designs
- Lunch will be taken out in Condom with the group, before returning to the farmhouse to finish your projects or relax
- A 3 course gourmet meal will then be served in the grounds or the farmhouse kitchen this evening
Day 6 – Working with enamels and colours and wine tasting
- Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your workshop class for the day
- Today you will learn all the techniques required to add colour to your metal clay pieces using enamels
- The enamels will help you to learn which colours work well and the different processes of using enamels which require a kiln and those which do not require a kiln
- Lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen
- After lunch some time will be spent giving advice to those who wish to start a business using metal clay and photos will be taken of the finished work
- You will also have time to think of the design for your final project tomorrow, which will be a larger piece
- You will learn the technique of making hollow forms today also, which is perfect for creating hollow forms such as classical silver ball earrings or a beautiful textured bead pendant
- The technique of using cork clay will also be taught
- Before dinner a trip to the local vineyard for wine tasting is a very relaxing way to finish the day and you will enjoy tasting infamous Gascony wines
- A 3 course gourmet meal will then be served back at the farmhouse
Day 7 – Friday- Final workshop day
- After breakfast you’ll spend the morning finishing your final project
- Make the finishing touches to your jewellery by adding beautiful jump rings or ear wires
- You will then learn how to get the best light and background for photographing your work and ways of presenting them in a gift box to show your designs off to their best potential
- Enjoy a leisurely lunch will be served in the gardens or in the farmhouse kitchen before spending the afternoon finished your projects or simply relaxing and soaking up the sun!
- For your final night, a special celebratory dinner will be served as you reflect on what you have learnt with your fellow guests and showcase your beautiful finished products to the room, reflecting on how much you have learnt over the week
Day 8 – Saturday – Departure day
- After breakfast, guests are asked to check out by 10am
- You are welcome to relax and enjoy some free time if your flight is not until later in the day, before being taken to the airport or train station for your return journey
- You will return home with fantastic memories, beautiful unique jewellery, and memories and new skills to last you a lifetime
Your Jewellery Tutor
- Your friendly and enthusiastic tutor is Caroline, who has been a qualified jewellery teacher for over 20 years and has experience in setting up and running training centres teaching practical skills
- She is a senior instructor in both PMC and Art Clay and has experience in using a wide range of clays
- Her love for teaching is reinforced every time a student looks in wonder at what they have designed and created themselves
- Caroline is passionate about jewellery and creative design, and she will be on hand at all times to assist you and help you to create beautiful jewellery
- Caroline’s husband Adam will also be happy to suggest activities in the area and will be cooking delicious gourmet meals during your stay
What Will I Learn?
- You will learn the fundamentals of working with precious metal clay, art clay etc and gain a greater understanding of what the product is and the different types of metal clay
- Work with different clays including bronze and copper clays
- Learn to use metal clay to create your own jewellery including rings
- How to use a range of machines such as the kiln and torch burner to achieve different effects
- How to unleash your creative side and design your own jewellery
- To make your own glass cabochons and learn to fuse glass
- A range of techniques such as sanding and finishing techniques
- How to set semi-precious stones
- Make hollow forms such as fine silver classic French ball earrings
- Influence your designs using nature, such as leaves and twigs
- Learn to make your own settings and use ready made settings
- On hand advice on setting up your own metal clay business
- How to photograph and package your jewellery to show it off to its full potential
- Take home beautiful unique jewellery to be proud of, and skills which will last you a lifetime
Jewellery Making Holiday - Precious Metal Clay Accommodation
- You will stay in the beautiful Baron Figres, a 150 year old farmhouse in the lovely Gascony countryside with a renovated gite attached
- The farmhouse has been renovated to a high standard combining natural features with modern touches
- The farmhouse has 3 twin/double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms
- There is a large, homey kitchen in the farmhouse which has a table that can seat 14 people
- There is a beautiful gite attached to the farmhouse which has 2 twin/double ensuite bedrooms with sweeping views of the countryside
- Downstairs there is a spacious living area with satellite TV and music system, perfect for relaxing evenings
- There is a fully equipped kitchen which guests are welcome to use
- Outside there is a BBQ terrace and the farmhouse boasts its own private outdoor heated swimming pool (12m x 6m, May-September)
- The farmhouse is surrounded by 50 acres of meadows and woodlands
- Accommodation is included for 7 nights / 8 days
- No single supplements for solo travellers, you will automatically have your own private bedroom for no extra charge
- Check in any time after 4pm on day 1 and check out by 10am on day 8
Meals
- All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and refreshments (wine, tea, coffee etc) are included for this course
- The jewellery school use fresh, local produce where possible and Caroline’s husband Adam is a keen cook making the most of the delicious local foods and wines in his cooking
- If you have dietary requests these must be communicated to us at the time of booking, vegetarians can catered for
Free Time In Gascony
- During your free time, there is plenty to do at your farmhouse accommodation including relaxing by the heated swimming pool (May-September)
- The jewellery school offers a range of extracurricular activities onsite which are free of charge including table tennis, basketball, shooting, archery, cycling and board games to name a few!
- There are numerous fêtes, music festivals and exhibitions in the surrounding areas through the year and your host Caroline will be happy to advise you during your stay
- The closest towns are Nérac and Condom, and your host will be happy to suggest activities and transport should you wish to explore these during your stay
Learn to make unique precious metal clay jewellery in a beautiful renovated farmhouse in the countryside on this jewellery making holiday with a difference.