The Course
This hands-on class guides you through designing and building a sculptural cuff using bronze metal clay, from first sketch to final shine. You’ll roll and texture the clay with ocean-inspired patterns, form it on a cuff mandrel, refine greenware, reinforce stress points, and prepare it for a clean sinter. We’ll cover kiln schedules in carbon, troubleshooting warps or cracks, and pro finishing techniques like patina, highlighting, and sealing for a rich, durable surface.
By the end, you’ll know how to translate organic textures into strong, wearable metal and confidently produce consistent, custom-fit cuffs. The same workflow adapts to bangles, rings, and pendants, making it perfect for small-batch lines, commissions, or thoughtful gifts. Bronze clay keeps material costs low while delivering professional results, so you can prototype quickly, iterate on designs, and bring ocean-inspired pieces to market with ease.
What you will learn
I started this course to make your first experience with bronze clay simple, fun, and successful, guiding you from soft clay to a polished, ocean-inspired cuff you’ll be proud to wear. I designed every lesson with starters in mind: short, step-by-step demos, clear tool lists with budget-friendly substitutes, printable templates, and check-in milestones so you always know what’s next. We tackle the tricky parts together—texture, shaping, drying, firing, and finishing—with pro tips, close-up troubleshooting, and mistakes-to-avoid notes that save you time and materials. The curriculum is carefully crafted and layered, building skills in small wins that grow your confidence, while the layout is clean and organized so you can jump back to any step in seconds. By the end, you’ll not only have a beautiful cuff, you’ll also have a repeatable workflow and the knowledge to explore your own designs.
Curriculum
Your instructor
I’m Patrik Kusek, an artist and educator working in metal clay with a special love for bronze. Over the years I’ve explored how texture, form, and patina can transform simple clay into sculptural, wearable stories. My studio practice and teaching focus on making advanced techniques approachable and repeatable for makers at every level.
The Oceana Cuff in bronze clay brings together my fascination with ocean-inspired textures and the expressive possibilities of bronze. In this course, I guide you through designing, building, refining, firing, and finishing a cuff that captures the rhythm of the sea—sharing the tips, troubleshooting steps, and creative prompts I use in my own work. I’m passionate about helping you build confidence, find your voice, and create a piece you’re proud to wear.
Sculptural
Sculptural elegance—crafting The Oceana Cuff in bronze clay
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau inspiration for The Oceana Cuff in bronze clay
Glowing opal
UV Resin faux opal techniques used in The Oceana Cuff in bronze clay