We’re a small team with big ideas and a passion for helping people achieve their dreams.

MEET THE TEAM!

Banner for Aussie Metal Clay Support Group, January 2026, featuring six teacher’s portrait photos, the group’s logo with a stylized dragonfly, and the website www.aussiemetalclay.com, with the slogan 'Release The Artist Within!'

Our Teachers

Our Teachers

Kim Booklass - Head teacher based in NSW Australia - Teaches both in person and online. A smiling elderly woman with short blonde hair and glasses, wearing a floral blouse and a necklace, in a room with shelves and containers in the background.

Kim Booklass

Specialty: Artist & Sculptor, Teacher, Creator & Innovator of Clays and Clay Products
Location: Northern NSW, Australia
Certification: Artist & Teacher Level 1, 2, 3, Master
Contact: +61 (0)417 068 519
Email: kimbooklass@gmail.com
YouTube: Kim Booklass

Biography: Living in Australia, I find inspiration from all aspects in life. From a young age I have immersed myself in all forms of art craftsmanship and technique. One of my earliest memories was teaching children how to make daisy flower necklaces in my backyard.

I had been sculpting and working in molten metal casting for many years, but when I found Metal Clay a whole new world opened its doors to me. As one of the top designers in Australia, I have had the pleasure of being a pioneer in designing unique pieces.

I have found a way to merge my love of sculpting and jewellery with the use of metal clay. I believe sculptures should be worn rather than sitting on a shelf. I do hope you enjoy all of the unique pieces I have created which include wearable/multi use jewellery and sculptures out of my preferred clay, Aussie Metal Clays.

I would welcome and enjoy the opportunity to share my passion of design and many years of experience I have working with these amazing clays, to assist you in growing your skills.

As a teacher I can show you the easiest way to get from the start of a project to the finished design. I have worked out many shortcuts, hints and tips to help you learn the skills without having to make the errors along the way. I will nurture your artistic talent and guide you to another level in your art. I teach in a light hearted, fun way. With each of us learning from each other along side likeminded people.

Janell Stephen - teaches at Spruille Centre Georgia USA. A woman with curly brown hair wearing glasses and a white top, smiling outdoors.

Janell Stephen

Specialty: Artist & Teacher/Educator
Location: Georgia, USA
Certification: Artist & Teacher Level 1 
Contact: +1 404 375 8792
Email: mom4hd@comcast.net
Instagram: Metallinx1

Biography: With a career spanning over two decades, my artistic journey into jewellery creation has been full of joy and discovery. My initial endeavour began during grade school, crafting a beaded pendant with needle and thread for my mother (which I still have). This laid the foundation for a lifelong passion that would evolve into an artistic pursuit.

My creative explorations began when I was employed at my local bead shop, where I honed my craft in the intricacies of beads and wire. I could not find the exact pieces to finish my jewellery and looked into the prospect of having them made for me—and that’s when the allure of metalsmithing began. It unveiled a realm of endless possibilities. I took many metalsmithing classes at Spruill Center for the Arts while working at the bead shop. Soon I was making more jewellery than I could possibly wear, which led to selling my creations at jewellery events and shows throughout the Southeast.

A wonderful turning point arrived with the introduction of metal clay—this amazing medium seamlessly blended the traditional artistry I enjoyed with a gentler approach that spared my joints. Once again, I dove in wholeheartedly, taking classes at Spruill, online, and even traveling out of state to learn from a wide variety of instructors. I eventually became Art Clay Senior Certified and naturally found myself drawn toward teaching, sharing the knowledge I’d gathered from diverse jewellery techniques.

More recently, I became Aussie Metal Clay Certified, and that journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Aussie Metal Clay has truly reignited my excitement for metal clay. Their wide range of specialty clays—including innovative formulas and beautifully responsive textures—has opened up new dimensions in my work. The versatility and quality of these clays have made them a core part of my studio practice, and I love incorporating them into my teaching. It’s been such a joy to explore everything from silver to base metal blends, and I look forward to continuing to create with and champion this outstanding brand.

You can also see me (alongside my co-jewellery instructor, Jackie Comet) featured in several CraftCast classes.

I truly feel that the world of jewellery creation benefits from the diversity of instructors. By embracing ideas from each one, you find what works for you—and in doing so, you enrich your own creative journey.

I have two adult children I get to call friends and an amazing husband who is always my cheerleader. We also have two fur-balls who graciously allow us to live in their home.

Jade Reed - Aussie Metal Clay Teacher from Western Australia. Teaches in person. A woman with red curly hair wearing white glasses and a red outfit with black accents, smiling indoors with a landscape painting in the background.

Jade Reed

Specialty: Artist & Teacher
Location: Mount Magnet, Western Australia, Australia
Certification: Artist & Teacher Level 1, 2 & 3
Contact: +61 (0)429 200 776
Email: jade@desertdesignsart.com
Web: Desertdesingsart.com 
Facebook : Desertdesignsart
Instagram: Desertdesignsart

Biography:  I live in the harsh, arid environment of Western Australia, where the desert is delicious, especially after a rain, This is where I get most of my inspiration.  Animal tracks in the desert sands, in the early morning, can conjure up creative thoughts and designs.   I walk with my 2 dogs most mornings and look to nature for ideas, and the reason why I chose Desert Designs Art as a business name.

For more than 30 years, I have been creating, using different mediums including fabrics, pottery, ceramics, acrylic painting, water colour and pastels.  For the last 24 years I have lived with my partner, in very small towns in Western Australia, where there is not a lot of access to classes or groups, unless you are willing to travel hundreds of kilometres.

In 2014 the art centre in Mount Magnet had a visiting artist who ran polymer workshops.  I loved it and I started making jewellery. In 2017 I took my first metal clay course and I was hooked.  The possibilities were huge, but also very limiting!  I was only able to use metal clay for about 3 maybe 4 months of the year as our temperatures are over 40C often up to 45+ for weeks on end.  My metal clay would dry and crack, meaning I had to work fast.  There was no time to play, explore and be creative along with a major process to rehydrate.  Then… I found AMC (Aussie Metal Clay) and that changed my world!!!!! Quite literally, I can now make jewellery any time of the year and indulge in the process of creating. I achieved my level 1 certification in 2021 and my teachers accreditation in AMC in 2022.

I offer vibrant fun classes to groups of 1 -12 people, either in Mount Magnet or I can come to you, classes can be an afternoon workshop or a full weekend of fun laughter and creating with a group of friends. I supply everything you will need to create your own gorgeous design with me leading you through every step of the process.  I only offer in person classes I prefer to teach face to face so my classes are limited to Western Australia.  If you would like to host a class or come to me reach out by email jade@desertdesignsart.com.au or social media @desertdesignsart or ring and leave a message 0429200776

Marie-Ann Coyle, teacher from Brisbane Queensland, Australia. An elderly woman wearing a bright green traditional Japanese garment, sitting in front of decorative folding screens with floral patterns and two dragon sculptures, one blue and one gold.

Marie-Ann Coyle

Specialty: Artist & Teacher
Location: Samford Valley, Queensland, Australia
Certification: Artist & Teacher Level 1, 2 & 3
Email: coyletm@bigpond.com

Biography: I have been working with metal clay since 1999. When PMC folded in Australia I was so happy to find Aussie Metal Clay through Kim Booklass and I have been using it ever since. I particularly like the AMC silvers and Gold Bronze range.

I have always crafted and have taken many courses like welding, paper craft, glass fusing, mosaics, polymer clay and many more to further my knowledge.

I am involved with Sculptors Queensland and three other craft groups.

I am currently mentoring two students and will be giving some workshops next year.

I love experimenting and pushing the envelope and thanks to Ros and Kim I can do this with Aussie metal Clay.
My art name is Art Angel.  I am on Facebook.

Merren Lehmann, Teaching face to face in Victoria Australia. A smiling woman with blonde hair working at a cluttered craft table, with scissors, glue, and craft materials around her.

Merren Lehmann

Specialty: Artist & Teacher
Location: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia
Certification: Artist & Teacher Level 1,
Contact: +61 (0)400 945 469
Email: merrenlehmann@gmail.com
Instagram: Mud2metal

Biography: Hi, my name is Merren and from an early age have been interested in ‘Arts and Crafts’.

My early working years were spent in the ‘Ticketwriting and Display Dept’ at Myer stores then in sign writing studios. 

During COVID I discovered metal clay and was blown away. Better still I discovered Aussie Metal Clay which is made in Australia . I love passing on my love for this craft and hope my students will love it too!

Susan Brooks

Susan Brooks Teaches in North Carolina USA. An older woman with curly gray hair, wearing a blue top, hoop earrings, and a necklace with a large leaf-shaped pendant, standing against a plain light-colored wall.

Specialty: Artist & Teacher/Educator
Location: North Carolina, USA
Certification: Artist & Teacher Level 1 
Contact: +1 828 748 8043
Email: susanmft08@gmail.com

Biography: I have a varied professional career which includes being a Program Director in a church and a teacher on the community college level (psychology and sociology). I eventually went to graduate school to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist where I spent 20 years in a private practice. I can’t remember a time in my life that I didn’t have some art or craft project going in my personal time. It was only natural that I focused on the arts when I retired. And it has been my ticket to sanity throughout many life changes.

I was first introduced to metal clay almost 20 years ago while attending a bead show and one of the artists was doing a demo with silver metal clay. She offered a short class (I think 30 minutes) to make a little toggle. I signed up and was immediately hooked. It took a few years, however, before I found another source for learning about this amazing medium. When I retired, I had the time to find and take more classes. When I found the William Holland School for the Lapidary Arts and noted they offered metal clay classes, I became certified in all three levels of silver metal clay.

I later acquired certifications in Metal Clay (both silver and base metals, and their teacher certification) through Aussie Metal Clay, and in base metals through Clay Revolution. I have taken classes with many celebrated artists in the field of metal clay. Currently I enjoy taking in-person classes at William Holland School for the Lapidary Arts (which offers weeklong and weekend classes throughout the year) and the Metal Clay Arts Symposium (which meets every other year in the USA), as well as online classes and workshops to keep current in the field.

Throughout my career I have loved teaching and sharing with others. And now in retirement, I love to share my passion for working with metal clay with adults and some children. The arts, and especially metal clay, has become a very satisfying part of my life. Currently I teach short classes at a couple of local galleries as well as weeklong classes for a couple of gem and mineral societies at their weeklong residential retreats.

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