Registry Basics

"The Master's Registry is a program linked to an independent evaluation system that is the most prestigious and professional credential in the field of metal clay. A rigorous curriculum of 50 projects provides artists with a challenge that will propel them to improved technical skills and into new creative realms."

British metal clay artist Julia Rai has attained Level 4 (along with Lesley Messam) and says this: "I think it's important for people to understand that the evaluators are not interested in stroking your ego. [Online groups are] supportive and encouraging... but the Registry evaluators will not say nice things about your work, they will pick it apart."

The Master's Registry raison d'etre is to provide a platform for self education that will further the artist's skill set and proficiency, similar to the way a university program would. They are looking for excellence.

The 50 Master's Registry projects are divided into 5 groups of 10 pieces that are meant to be sent in at one time to be evaluated by a professional jury. Any form, brand, or type of metal clay may be used in the construction of your pieces. Each submission has a cost of $500.00 ($250 upon enrolling, and $250 upon submission) which includes professional photographs of each project. 

Any type (clay body) or brand of metal clay may be used for any or the projects. The descriptions on the website specify silver clay - but they were written before base clays came on the scene. If you can fulfill the specific qualifications for any of the projects with any base clay body - you're welcome to submit it. There are a few projects that really lend themselves to silver (D1, D2, D3 for instance), but if you can get it to work with a different metal - Do it!

There are a number of projects that have similar techniques, so the learning curve for each of those separate projects may be eased with the repetition.

     B3, B4, and B5 all involve enamel.
     A4, A5 (?), A6, C2, and E4 require boxes.
     A2, A5 (?), and A7 are bead projects.
     D1, D2, D3, D4 all request the addition of gold. Aura 22 or AGS gold slip/paste may be used, or you can make your own from gold lump clay or the rose and green gold clay that is sold by Michele Glaeser.

E1 requires that you make a replica of a votive figure. This does not mean a small, figurative candle holder! ASK.com defines a votive this way:
1. A votive figure is an image someone creates to use as a devotional offering to a god or some other deity.
2. A votive deposit or votive offering is one or more objects displayed or deposited without the intention of recovery or use, in a sacred place for broadly religious purposes.