It has been possible to recycle silver particles for about six years and is a popular choice for potters and jewellers looking for creative and colourful ways of doing their art.
This week's Wanaka Autumn Art School attracted 12 students from around the country keen to master the art form from Christchurch art clay and polymer clay tutor Petra De Geus.
Art clay silver is made from recycled silver particles, organic binders and water to form a clay-like material that can be more easily worked and shaped than flat sheets and wires commonly used by silversmiths.
Once fired, the clay becomes pure solid silver and of better quality than sterling silver, Ms De Geus explained.
Her students were from all walks of life - retired school teachers, police officers, research fellows, high school pupils, property managers, nurses and musicians - and most had never done a course like it.
‘‘I don't think anyone has had a dull moment. Everyone will end up with four or five pieces at the end of the week,'' Ms de Geus said.
She had provided shell moulds as quick-starters for the students, who had all progressed during the week to working their own ideas.
‘‘It's great, isn't it?'' first-time jeweller Bill Jones, of Riverton, said. ‘‘I think I will carry on.''
He had collected sea-polished ‘‘Orepuki gemstones'' from a beach near his home and was incorporating them into pendants as gifts for family members.
‘‘For me, that's linking where I live with the course,'' Mr Jones said.
Organiser Robyn van Reenan said this week's art school had attracted 230 people, the largest number of artists and tutors in its 19-year history.
Courses included bookbinding, fly-tying, digital photography, felting designer fashion, acting and directing writing, pattern-making and garment construction, cooking, life drawing, oil painting, and botanic drawing.
The school finished yesterday.
