Personal Jewelry Retreat: Radiant Opal Pendant with Holly and Chris Gage

Rough Opal Slab for Cabbing approx. 
2 1/8” x  3”     $35 - $105

Fire-in-Place Opals and Opal Shards            
$2.50  – $45 each

Metal Clay Kit*
$85 – $150

*Depends on class selection and the current price of Metal Clay )

This 1-day workshop will satisfy the Opal lover in you!
Opal cutting is fun and therapeutic as you cut and shape your opal until a smooth mirror finish. You’ll start with your choice of rough opal material and select from a variety of template shapes. Using a title saw you will cut the rough shape of the cabochon, then using the 6 wheel professional lapidary machine you will shape, polish, and work your way through the various wheels until you have a beautiful stone you are proud to have and to hold. Time allotment, and size will determine how many stones you will be able to finish, approximately 3 – 5 per rough slab.

 

Radiant Opal Pendant
Bold design and delicate textures surround beautiful Fire in Place Cultured Opals with a combination of surprising techniques. You’ll create intricate open spaces and surface textures with your rotary tool and a variety of diamond burs in the greenware stage of your Silver Metal Clay. Yeah, your rotary tool! And it’s easy on your hands!

Then you’ll capture the allure of  Heat-Resistant Cultured Opals having all the radiance and iridescence you love in a good quality Opal, but unlike Nature Opals, these can be fired at 1650º F or 900º C without burning up from the extreme heat needed to sinter the Metal Clay. After being told a long firing isn’t probably, I went on a quest to figure out how to fire them in place in Metal Clay. After many tests and lots of trial and error, I figured out the secret of firing long and hot for strength without cracking the stones, discoloration, or hazing. I’m really excited about the possibilities, but more than that I can’t wait to teach you.

Registration Policy:
Reservations are on a first come, first served basis. All bookings require a 50% deposit, balance is due 60 days prior to your arrival date.
Payment package available, please inquire. Deposits can be made by secured pay pal account, wire, or express mail by check. In order to hold a reservation we must receive the deposit within ten days of the booking.

Cancellation and refund policy:
Reservations can be canceled up to 45 days before check-in. This means you will receive a full refund or you can reschedule your retreat for another time, subject to availability.

Reservations canceled 7 days or less will be subject to a full refund, minus $250 per person for food, and preparations, etc.

For 100% refund, you may sell your seat to another student with all transfer of funds remaining between you and the participant. Gage Design Studio will not be responsible for re-filling any reservation previously made. Please notify your host about the change.

Extenuating Circumstances
In instances such as death of an immediate relative, natural disaster, Covid or other illness, you may reschedule your retreat for another time. Valid proof will be required to provide supporting documentation for your circumstance.
Reservations canceled 7 days or less will we subject to a full refund, minus $250 per person for food, and preparations, etc.

Please don’t come if you have a temperature, you are sick, or you have been exposed to someone who is ill without testing negative of the illness. Chris and Holly are both immune compromised.
Should the retreat be canceled by Gage Design Studio, the entire amount paid will be refunded within fourteen days (14) after the retreat’s cancellation. Once this occurs, we have no obligations regarding any additional costs or fees related to the issuance and/or cancellation of airline tickets or other travel reservations. We accept no liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket. Nor do we accept liability for canceled flights. Please consider purchasing insurance for your travel as you never know what life surprises come about.