CORRESPONDENCE COURSE
Home Study

by Andrea Daley, Co- Founder of the AOR/CCA

One-on-One / Correspondence Course on Ceramic Restoration

Never leave your home or studio while you learn the art of performing aesthetic, invisible repairs. This is a new, comprehensive method of learning this art. It entails a 3-month correspondence course. All steps, processes, use of equipment and materials will be covered. Once the academic portion is completed then the student will have up to 30 hours of personal guidance from the Master Restorer, at their location. This gives the student the opportunity to explore all the basic techniques while the teacher demonstrates advance methods.

The student will choose 20 damaged items. The teacher will select 15 of the 20 items to be worked on over the three months. (More can be worked on if the student wishes to do more projects, but only those chosen by the Master Restorer will be overviewed and discussed) The student will need to have a completed studio, per Master Restorer’s instructions, purchase all the equipment, tools and supplies that are listed.

The student will need to have a working space that is conducive to a professional workshop per the instructions that are provided by the Master Restorer. The basics of a studio are:

Working space (minimum of 10’ x 12’)
Two 8’ tables
Approximately 3’ x 5’ of shelving (three shelves)
Overhead fluorescent lights (color correct bulbs one on each side and two above)
Window Box fan, with cover
Standing fan behind to direct airflow

  • The average cost of the equipment and supplies is approximately $1500.00.
    (An itemized list will be available with all names and contact information)
  • The cost of the three-month correspondence and the 30 hours of one-on-one is $3000.00
  • The student will be responsible for costs associated with the Master Restorer coming to their location: transportation and overnight accommodations.

    • Each module or segment represents approximately 40 to 60 hours of student’s time.

    Module I 

     
            Studio Set-up
                        Lighting
                        Ventilation
                        Table space and shelving
                        Carpeting
            Safety Precautions
            Business Set-up
                        Legal aspects
                        Forms
                        Policies
                        Pricing
                        Reports
                                    Work estimate
                                    Treatment Report
                                    Invoice

    Module II 

    	Different types of Ceramics
	Selecting and Examining Items
	Introduction to airbrushing
	Product information
	Cleaning Items
        Removing all debris and excess adhesives
	   from previous repairs
	Adhering
	Fills and Color fills
	Sanding, sanding tools
	Mold Making

    Module III 

     
        Advanced airbrush techniques
        Fills, Color fills and Sanding
        Color matching
        Coatings and Glazes: These methods will be demonstrated by Master
	Restorer within Module IV.  Information on each process will be
	given and student can experiment with different coatings until the
	Master Restorer arrives.
               Water Base 
	       Enamels (Polyurethane’s)
               Lacquers
               Cold Glaze
               Other

    Module IV 

     

    Review of all steps; the Master Restorer will present intensive instructions
 on color matching and airbrushing.  Master Restorer will attend to individual
 "stop points" (where student needs more information) in regards to any aspect
 of restoration.  Emphasis will be on painting and finishes along with how to
 achieve the different types of finishes: flat, satin, and gloss.

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