Holiday itinerary
Ever wanted to make your own jewellery but don’t know where to begin? Well all is not lost, as this jewellery making short break is the perfect introduction to working with precious metal clays (PMC, art clays etc.) to craft pieces of silver jewellery, and these luxury items are something you will treasure forever.
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 original and exciting course.
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.
This metal clay jewellery making course includes 2 days of tuition which will be spent in the well-equipped studio learning all the skills you need to make a variety of different types of jewellery.
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. You will even learn fingerprinting, where a fingerprint of a loved one or even your pet can be imprinted in fine silver to cherish forever.
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 3 night/4 day cookery break which runs concurrently with the jewellery making short break 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 while you share a room with your partner.
Stay in a stunning renovated farmhouse in the glorious region of Gascony in South West of France with its own swimming pool and 50 acres of land. This is the perfect place to relax and unwind and your hosts Adam and Caroline will be on hand at all times to ensure your stay is as enjoyable as possible. There are no single supplements for solo travellers, making this the perfect break.
Learn to make luxurious silver jewellery on this unique jewellery making short break in Gascony, where you will learn invaluable new skills working with an exciting new product, meet new friends and take home the ultimate souvenir.
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 for solo travellers to have their own private bedroom with ensuite bathroom
- There is a discount for 2 people travelling together and sharing a room, please see the 'costing and extras' tab for more details
Cookery Break 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 break alternative for you
- This 3 night/4 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 Break Itinerary:
- You will have two cooking classes and at least 1 culinary excursion per day on day 2 and day 3
– You will also have a wine tasting course sampling the best wines from local producers
- 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 Break 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 Break Dates And Pricing:
- The price of this 3 night/4 day culinary break is £211
- All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and refreshments including wine are included for this all inclusive break
- This cookery break runs on selected dates throughout the year
- 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 Short Break Start Days
- This course starts on set dates year round and starts on a Thursday, Friday or Monday
- Courses run for 3 nights/4 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 Short Break 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 in the afternoon to be greeted by your friendly 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 for more details)
- Settle into your delightful 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 – Hollow forms and syringe workshop and wine tasting
- This morning after breakfast you will go to a local delightful village market to explore the area to discuss your first project designs with the rest of the group and your tutor Caroline
- You will then return home to begin your first jewellery making class
- Today you will learn the technique of making hollow forms, which is perfect for creating hollow forms such as classical silver ball earrings or a beautiful textured bead pendant for earrings
- Caroline will teach you the basic techniques with using precious metal clay (PMC) to give you maximum freedom to develop your own designs
- You will also learn syringe work with bronzes, and use stones and semi precious beads to create your unique designs
- A delicious lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen
- 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
- 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 3- Naturals and fingerprinting jewellery making workshop and Armagnac tasting
- After a leisurely breakfast, you will choose something natural of your choice, such as a leaf, to influence your fine silver jewellery designs today
- 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
- After lunch, you will create a your own personal fingerprint jewellery
- Fingerprint jewellery is when you set the prints of loved ones (or even pets!) into fine silver
- This is a unique process and the perfect gift or memento to keep for yourself
- 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 the Armagnac and local produce
- A 3 course gourmet meal will then be served back at the farmhouse kitchen accompanied with local delicious wines
Day 4 – 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
- Learn more about Caroline's inspirational lifestyle on our blog
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 clays
- 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
- How to use semi-precious stones and beads
- Make hollow forms such as fine silver classic French ball earrings
- Syringe work with bronze
- Influence your fine silver designs using nature, such as leaves and twigs
- Fingerprint jewellery to set prints of loved ones in fine silver
- Take home beautiful unique jewellery to be proud of, and skills which will last you a lifetime
Jewellery Making Short Break 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 3 nights / 4 days
- There are no single supplements for solo travellers, and you will have your own private room for no additional charge
- Check in any time after 4pm on day 1 and check out by 10am on day 4
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
Unleash your creative side on this unique all inclusive jewellery making short break set in a beautiful renovated farmhouse in the countryside, and take home personalised precious metal clay jewellery to be proud of.