Author Archive
Website Redesign Complete
I have finished my rework of the website. I have a new kiln and a new studio to go with it. I have 750 grams of clay including silver, copper, bronze and white bronze. I have so many design ideas it has been troubling me where to start. However, I do have two promised pieces to work on so perhaps that will be my first start. I do have a copper/silver alloy pendant to post about later this week.
What’s Up At The Studio
Wish I had photos of my experiments in copper clay but my first firing was disappointing. I either did not quite get the firing schedule or I mis-applied it. Either way no joy. First I broke the piece which was one of my funny stylized heart shapes in outline form. Without thinking as I held it while preparing to place it for firing I squeezed a bit and it fell into three pieces. Since it was just a piece for test firing I simply used one piece to fire….failure….then after checking the manual, adjusting….a second piece. More failure. It was late. Since then I read an article about firing this type of copper clay and will try again this week with a more substantial piece.
Finishing Touches
Well, my new studio is 90% completed and I am moving in. Plenty of changes to tell about including a new location showing my jewelery and some new and wonderful artist friends. I will be back soon to tell all the news. Meanwhile enjoy this peek into my studio.
The Story of My Bracelets
My staple always-sell pieces are bracelets using memory wire, a stiff wire that retains its circular shape,and beads. For some reason women really love them and are willing to pay $35 to $50 for one. They are comfortable and easy to wear. The technique for making the bracelets is very easy and usually takes about two hours. Simply cut the wire, make a loop with pliers at one end, slide the beads onto the wire, finish with another loop. The real work is in creating a one of a kind unique piece each time.
Working With Silver Clay – Part II
I continued to explore working with precious metal clay (PMC). totally untutored relying on reading and trying, my preferred learning method. 
There are plenty of detailed instructions both online and in magazines and books. I got some good results with this piece which included setting a cubic zirconia in the silver leaf. Zirconia works beautifully in metal clay. I misjudged the size of the piece and it is probably a bit smaller than it should be in this necklace.
