What Would You Ask a Metal Clay Master?
What if you could spend an hour learning directly from one of your favorite metal clay artists — just you, your questions, and their undivided attention? That’s exactly what AMCAW’s expert consultation prizes make possible. Awarded through our Artist Challenges, these one-on-one sessions connect you with some of the most respected names in metal clay, for a conversation built entirely around your practice.
Winners have come away with new techniques, fresh perspectives, and meaningful relationships with artists they might never have met otherwise. Entering a challenge is already a win, but this is the prize that could change how you work. Read on to see what past participants have to say.
Anca Crahmaliuc Testimonial
How did you get the expert consultation — was it an award from a challenge, or did you purchase it through a silent auction?
I used to apply to AMCAW’s challenges, as they are a great way of testing one’s skills and getting valuable feedback. Mainly it’s about challenging yourself — but not only that.
How would you describe the experience?
Although art is a very subjective area, you also need to see other people’s perspectives. Applying to a challenge teaches you about following requirements, meeting deadlines, photographing your work, and describing your project. It’s a very useful process that requires some discipline.
Would you recommend the experience?
Definitely — it is worth trying. AMCAW challenges are free for members and take place in a very structured way, with well-known artists as jurors who evaluate every piece in a friendly, documented manner. I would say that this evaluation — made for each submitted piece — is itself a win for every participant. How often do you have the chance to have a piece evaluated by one of the metal clay masters? Of course, the prizes are also extremely attractive.
Were you able to choose your consultant?
You can choose your consultant from a list that includes some of the most prestigious metal clay artists in the world.
What did you learn from the expert?
Over the last seven years, I have participated in almost all AMCAW challenges and won three times. Through those wins, I have been fortunate to meet, over time, Hadar Jacobson, Meropi Toumbas, and Stephanie Chavez. I hugely admire each of their work and feel a deep resonance with their creations. Hadar shared insights about her base metal clays, Meropi about setting large stones in rings, and Stephanie about inlays. Needless to say, these conversations are only a drop in a sea of information you can then explore on your own — and I found Hadar’s books, Meropi’s ring techniques, and Stephanie’s gorgeous designs on their websites. All great artists are immensely generous people, so meeting them is not only an artistic but also a deeply personal experience.
What should people know about expert consultations?
The expert consultation is, in my opinion, the best prize you can receive. AMCAW’s experts are wonderful artists — the legends of metal clay. The opportunity to talk with them and learn from them is a unique experience. You might never meet them in person in your lifetime, but through a two-hour consultation you can connect with one of your favorite teachers. I live in Romania; Hadar Jacobson lives on the west coast of the United States. The chance for me to train with her would have been nearly impossible under any other circumstances.
If you’ve participated in multiple consultations, how did they differ?
All of them were exceptional. Each artist is unique, and that’s the beauty of meeting them. I treasure every moment spent in these expert consultations equally.
Did you make any pieces as a result? (Include pictures if you have them.)
Of course — almost immediately! You get so inspired by an amazing training or technique that you feel motivated to try something new, and you even discover new ways of approaching things you’ve done before.
Anything else you’d like people to know about your experience?
Taking on a challenge is a must in your artistic journey. The privilege of learning from exceptional metal clay artists is truly incomparable.he design.
Susanne Hale Testimonial
My Expert Consultation with Linda Kaye-Moses
I was absolutely thrilled to win the expert consultation with Linda Kaye-Moses during AMCAW’s Metal Clay Live in May 2025. From the moment I learned I had won, I knew it would be a special opportunity — and it truly exceeded my expectations.
What struck me immediately about Linda was her warmth, clarity, and thoughtful teaching style. Having truly customized, one-on-one instruction was incredible. Linda is an exceptional communicator, but what impressed me most was the way she began our work together: she took the time to assess not only my technical skill level, but also what I most wanted to learn. That approach made the sessions deeply relevant to me. As a result, we explored a wide range of topics — starting with metal clay but extending well beyond it into broader jewelry-making techniques and studio practices.
We met over Zoom beginning in June, and across three to four sessions Linda taught me directly from her studio. From the very first meeting, she emphasized how important safety is in her workspace and practice, and she revisited safety considerations throughout every lesson. That consistent focus set a professional tone and reinforced the importance of thoughtful studio habits.
Linda was extraordinarily generous with both her time and her knowledge. She shared not only best practices but also her personal preferences and the reasoning behind them — something I found incredibly valuable. She also provided a remarkable range of supporting materials: detailed 33-page reference documents, curated links for further study, and even custom YouTube videos she created specifically for me. Linda truly over-delivered. The consultation felt less like a short series of lessons and more like an ongoing mentorship.
We covered an impressive range of topics, some in depth and others as focused highlights. These included demystifying soldering techniques — especially soldering sintered metal clay to milled sheet — as well as burnishing methods, using a miter jig, preparing clean solder joints, understanding when pickling is necessary (and when it is not), and the fundamentals of riveting.
Some of Linda’s practical tips that especially stayed with me:
- Applying flux to a titanium pick before picking up solder
- Knowing when paste flux is the better choice
- How and when to use a mizzy wheel effectively
- Best practices for burnishing metal clay before soldering
One of my favorite parts of the sessions was when Linda shared examples of her finished jewelry. She walked me through how each piece was constructed step by step, explaining the design decisions and technical processes behind them. Seeing her work in that context made the learning tangible and inspiring.
I cannot recommend this expert consultation experience highly enough. AMCAW communicated clearly and promptly about the process of winning and connecting with Linda, making everything seamless from start to finish. As someone who had never participated in a consultation like this before, I truly appreciated how easy both AMCAW and Linda made it.
I likely would never have had the chance to work with Linda in such a meaningful way if it hadn’t been for AMCAW’s Metal Clay Live auction. The opportunity to spend time learning directly from her was a privilege, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience and the knowledge I gained.
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