METAL CLAY TODAY MAGAZINE FALL AUTUMN 2009 ISSUE

8/2/2019 METAL CLAY TODAY MAGAZINE FALL AUTUMN 2009 ISSUE

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Fall 2009 MetalClayToday.com 3

Publishers Notepad

The industry is evolving into new technologies and we invite you to explore therapidly expanding markets of silver, copper, bronze and gold metal clays with us. Asan online magazine, we are poised to instantly move in whatever new directions andtechnologies this market might present.

There is a large, and rapidly growing community of established metal clay artists andjewelry-making artisans, as well as those just learning about these mediums. For thesefellow clay enthusiasts, Metal Clay Todaywill feature interesting projects, the latestproducts and techniques, as well as innovations in these technologies. As we grow wewill offer a venue for members of this community to share information on competitionsand awards, societies and organizations, shows, faires, and trade shows.

Check out all ofMetal Clay Todays features... Projects, Artists Spotlight, Ris-ing Star, Web Showcase, Best of the Blogs, Book Review... and listings of Classes,Shows and Organizations and Guilds.

If you have an article about any of the metal clays that you believe will be of interest to

our readers, or know of someone who should be featured, please get in touch with usat [email protected]. Artists whose articles are selected will receive freeadvertising for a year in the magazine and a spot in our Artist Gallery for three months.

The Artist Gallery is an online Gallery devoted to Metal Clay Artists who desire to havea web presence but do not want the expense of developing a website. The cost to bea part of the Artist Showcase is minimal. Artists juried into the Showcase can have upto 3 pages devoted to their work, a bio page and a calendar of events.

One of the biggest things that Tes and I have learned since embarking on thisadventure is that we still have a lot to learn about working on the web. We arenow taking classes to bring us up to speed, and we look forward to improving ourwebsite as well as making the magazine more interactive.

Welcome to Metal Clay Today!

Enjoy this ride with us.

is an on-line magazine presenting an informative and

exciting focus on the very creative world of metal clay.

Arli WolfsonEditor-In-Chief,

Metal Clay Today
http://www.metalclaytoday.com/http://www.metalclaytoday.com/http://www.metalclaytoday.com/


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OCTOBER 2009Volume 1, Issue 1

Hadar Jacobson

An expert in copper and bronze clays,

9Hadar shares her many inspirations.

Artist Showcase

Michela VeraniMeet an artist whose metalclay art is inspired by nature.15

Rising Star

Publishers NotepadWelcome to Metal Clay Today...dedicated to all things metal clay 3

Metal ClayWorld Conference

An incredible time was had by all -

learning, networking and sharing

6

MiniRingBeadwithCharmLinda Stlles-Smith walks us

through creating a bead on a chain

11Keum BooSo easy to do once

you see how its done

17

Features


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Rolling SlatsTheres an easier way to use your19 slats for rolling clay. Check this out.

Tips N Tricks

Subscribers are free to print this magazine for their own use.Please share it with your family and friends.

The intellectual property and photos of the artists is copyright protected.

Lori PhillipsMeet Lori Phillips who bring us the

bloggers latest, brightest talk out there. 20

Best of the BlogsBlog

Trends, Forecasts & PredictionsLori Delisle

Explore the coming seasons

21trends in Let Loose the Chains.

ChallengeCarpe BeadumWere sending out a challenge for

the best metal clay bead out there. 22

Book ReviewPatricia K. Evanshas found a jewelry-making

reference book for everyones library. 25

Classes, Shows, Organization News

Check out the

23 latest happenings.

Readers ShowcaseDiscover the beautiful26 work of Lisa Dienst-Thomas.


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I went to the Metal Clay World Conferencehosted by Art Clay World USA in July this year.I knew from the beginning that there wouldbe at least seven friendly faces that I wouldrecognize, and whose company I enjoy. Myhope was to spend time with the aforemen-tioned friends, gain new techniques and to getthe word out to other metal clay enthusiastsabout the launch of Metal Clay Today.

Now, Ive had some experience with othertypes of conferences which usually resemble apep rally with lots of fluff and no substance.I really wasnt certain what to expect at theMetal Clay World Conference, MCWC forshort. Was I really going to be able to go toso many classes in so short a time period? Would the hotelaccommodations be as grand and reasonably priced as they stated on the website?(Im from Southern California where everything is priced for the rich and famous.)

Well, let me tell you, it was everything they said it would be and

more. Art Clay World USA had arranged a special price with alimousine service to shuttle conference attendees. Once I arrivedat the Hilton Chicago/Indian Head Resort in Bloomingdale, IL, Iwas directed to a beautifully appointed room with cathedral ceilingsand a panoramic view of the golf course. Lucky me, since theroom was so reasonable I was able to talk my Mother, Sister andNiece into joining me for a girls retreat! They went sightseeingduring the day and at the end of the conference we all spent anadditional day together touring Chicago.

Just so you wont get bored with my moment by moment replayof the conference Ill just give you some of the highlights from

my perspective!

The very first evening Art Clay World threw a party for allconference attendees, instructors and vendors. There was somuch food and drink and just about the time I thought Idsampled everything, the waiter would come around with a newplate of interesting and delicious appetizers. All around mepeople whom I had read about or whose books Id purchasedwere gathering, sharing stories, laughing and having a good

time. Jackie Truty of Art Clay World and numerous books fame came

Metal ClayWorld Conference

by Tes Shea

Kickingoffthefestivitiesinstyle.

CarolBabineauspeakingo

nthe

countlesstypesofclaspsa

nd

closures.


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down escorted by her four-legged companion. I saw Tim McCreight, Hattie Sanderson andmany others whose names you would recognize. There were people from all over globestopping by to say hello and to catch up with their metal clay friends. This was just one ofseveral gatherings Art Clay World USA hosted for us.

The following morning we all gathered tohear the keynote speaker Alan Revere,who immediately gave us an assignment.We received a sheet of foil and wereinstructed to create a ring. He then wenton to discuss his latest endeavor calledAdorn America http://adornamerica.com/addornamerica.com/MCWC_Keynote.html . Afterwards he asked us to presentour rings to the person next to us. Theywere all so beautiful.

Then we were off to various workshopsheaded by some of the best knowninstructors in the country, and perhapsthe world. Id love to tell you about thegreat instructors and the information Igained while there, but Art Clay Worldhas promised to post the workshopson their website soon. By the end of my day I had so manynew ideas floating in my brain.

Breakfast and lunch were catered by the hotel.Everything was fresh, delicious and abundant,but my favorite part of each meal was thedrawing. Jackie would come up toward theend of each meal and draw tickets from abowl. If your ticket was drawn, you receivedthe prize she was offering. Every time sheannounced a prize I wanted, I would mentallysend her messages to pull my ticket fromthe bowl. It was excruciating for three daysas the numbers that were pulled bouncedall around mine. Then on the final day, thesecond to last prize, Jackie announced apackage of Dichroic glass and apron fromCBS glass! Now that was what this metalclay and glass junkie needed MORE

DICHROIC glass! I crossed my fingers,sent my mental message and laughed at myself for being so

foolish... after all, I never win. But then she called my number, I threw out my arms, andyelled so loud that everyone in the room laughed. Embarrassed but excited I claimed my prize.

Among the many special events sponsored by Art Clay World was the charm exchange.Not having a clue and being unprepared, I went to the gathering to check it out. It was alot like a 99-cent sale at Tiffanys. The crowd was immense as they moved enthusiasticallyaround sharing and exchanging their well-made and beautifully handcrafted charms. I evenreceived three charms from some very caring individuals who took pity on me. I must have

Lefttoright,HattieSanderson,MCWCpresenterfromIL,EmmaBairdfrom

Scotland,JuliaRaifromEngland,LyndaCheneyfromEngland(andthechair

oftheArtClayWorldUKGuild),andLesleyMessamfromEngland.

JohnHohensheltfromPar

agonKilnsrelaxeswithTon

yaDavidson,

CertifyingInstructorwithP

MCRioandownerofWhol

eLottaWhimsy.


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looked like a child with my nose pressed against the candy store window. Thank you KatieBaum, Deb Wojnaroski and Judi Weers for your generous gift and encouragement.

Another event of interest was the Mystery Brown Bag Contest.The contestants were selected in a random drawing. Each personselected was given a brown paper bag with seven random itemsinside. Each bag had the same items... the only caveat was thateach item would have to be used in the creation of the finishedpiece. Have you ever considered using a coffee bean in one ofyour creations? What was in the bag you ask? There was 7 gramsof clay, a coffee bean, tissue paper, a piece of twine, paperlollipop stick, a wooden bead and brass tube. The tools wereprovided; the only missing ingredient was the creativity. Thisis one contest your guild should really consider hosting.

In case you think this was all fun and games, there was timeset aside to feed our creative needs, as well as to purchasemore supplies to make the things floating in our minds andnotebooks. I had a chance to shop and speak with such well-known companies as Rio Grande, Paragon, Whole Lotta Whimsy,Metal Clay Findings and many more.

One last thing... I never did discover who was selling AluminumClay! This was an inside joke at the conference and if you want to know the punch line, youhave to be at the next Metal Clay World Conference in 2011.

TheMysteryBrownBagContest


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Tes: You said you were a metalsmith before working with the clays. Can you tell us more about how yougot started in metal clay, and about your own copper and bronze clays?

Hadar: I came to the US from Israel in 1997, about a year after silver clay wasintroduced in the United States. I was looking for a new jewelry supplier formy metal fabrication work and saw this new product. It attracted my attentionbecause I was so obsessed with textures. There were so many of them that Icould not achieve with the rolling mill. For example, how would I run a biscuitor a waffle through the rolling mill without breaking them?

Once I got the clay, the sky was the limit. I used to carry polymer clay inmy purse and stick it to cracked curbstone, telephone poles, walls, food...I hammered bricks to crack them and picked up the texture before theycrumbled; I went out in the rain with a sheet of glass to pick the raindrops and

freeze them... that one didnt work! :)So, I could do with silver clay everything I could do with sheet metal, andmore, except for one thing: combine it with copper and bronze, whichwas my second obsession. I used silver clay with copper sheet, wires androds but it wasnt the same. So I started experimenting with making clay.I read as much as I could about the subject and came up with workable clay,some of which I managed to fire with a torch. However, the results were notconsistent until the idea of using carbon was introduced by Bill Struve. Andalthough I wish there was a simpler solution, I was quite happy that I could goback to my copper and bronze clays and combine them with silver clay.

An interview with...

Tes Shea, Metal Clay Todays Publisher and Webmaster, recently had thewonderful opportunity to take Hadars class in copper and bronze clays. Ha-dar was kind enough to sit for the following interview.


HadarJacobson

Artist Showcase


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Tes: Youve written a few books. When is your next one due to be released, and where can ourreaders purchase them?

Hadar: The next book will be about mixed metal jewelry from metal clay. The writing is almostcomplete and I hope to have it ready in November or December. Readers can purchase my books

through my online store. They are not available throughdistributors.

Tes: Your style is very unique.Where do you get your inspiration?

Hadar: I ask the same question about artists whose work Iadmire. Its hard to say. I was greatly inspired by architecture

by Gaudi, and by paintings of the Bauhaus Movement. But assilly as it may sound, I am addicted to reading catalogs, alwaysanxious to find new tools. Most of the time its an object, a toolor a technique that inspires me, even if they are not designedfor metal clay. Or, I can walk through the aisles of a recyclingcenter and pick the weirdest looking objects, even if I dontknow what theyare. They cansit around for

years, but eventually I come up with something Iwanted to do with them, even if this idea was notconscious when I picked them up.

Tes: What advice would you give to an aspiringartist?

Hadar: When you see something, dont ask whatit is... ask what can I possibly do with it. Learnby copying work that you admire; just askpermission before you sell it. Dont be afraid toexperiment, and expect a lot of failures; you maydiscover something that you never expected.Look around you and absorb, but also look insideyourself and let the outside images go throughyour inner filters. If you want to make something,find a way to make it... dont say its impossible.

And, also keep moving... dont let anythingdistract you.

Tes: Where can our readers find out more about your teaching schedule?

Hadar: Its always on my blog: http://www.artinsilver.com/blog/.I also send messages to my blog subscribers.

We thank you, Hadar, for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.Hadar Jacobsons website can be accessed at: http://www.artinsilver.com


Artist Showcase


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For beginners with some metal clay experience.

Beads come in all shapes and sizes and the craze forthose shiny balls of clay/glass/metal with a hole is at afever pitch these days. Collectors search for just the rightunique bead at shows and shops wherever they go. Butwhen the bead bug bit me, I decided that if I was going to

have a new age charm bracelet (Pandora, Troll, Camilla) Iwas going to make my own beads!

Although I have made a variety of beads, my favorite isthe mini ring bead with a charm. Just as the name implies,I start out by making a ring only in miniature. By addinga jump ring and a charm, which I also make myself, my one- of-a-kind bead takes centerstage on my bracelet.

Basic metal clay tools are needed as well as some jewelry pliers. If you havent made yourown jump rings, now is your chance to try it where a perfect shape isnt critical. The beadconsists of a ring with a loop and a charm that will be fired separately and joined together

with a jump ring when finished. These are so much fun that after youve made one youllwant to create more!

Additional tools for this project:Snake rolling tool card size piece of PlexiglasTexturing plate, rubber stamp, roller, elbow4-5mm metal or plastic rodClay shaperSmall shape cutter3/16-_ (5-6mm) diameter plastic strawSmallest set of the Clay PunchSanding tools: 3m papers, sponges, sticks, mini filesChain nose pliersFlush cutters

Materials:10 g Art Clay Silver Slow Dry Clay2 (25mm) piece of 20g fine silver wireOptional 4mm sterling silver jump ringPatina chemical: Liver of Sulfur or Black Max

Mini Ring Bead

with Charm

By Linda Stiles Smith


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Making the ring:

1. Wrap the end of the 20g fine silver wire 4 or 5 times around a smooth metal or plasticrod (not wood) to make a coil. Slide the coil off the rod and cut off 3-4rings with the flush cutters.

2. Align the ends of the ring up with two pairs ofpliers. Slip the ring onto the chain nose pliers as

far down as possible with the opening over the flatpart of the pliers and press the pliers together. Thisshould re-shape the round ring into a D shape.

Open and close the pliers on the flattened area several times toflatten it.

3. Lightly condition one half of the slow dry clay by kneading be-tween your lubricated fingers. Mist with a light spray of water if itfeels a little dry. Shape into a cigar and place it onto your worksurface (no oil is needed). Using the snake rolling tool, roll thecigar into a coil that is about 1/4 (6-7mm) thick. It doesnt needto be very long, about 1.5 (33mm) is good.

4. If the coil is showing some cracking either ball up the clay, misting with water and startover or moisten the coil with a brush full of water and let it rest a few seconds so the watercan soak into the clay.

5. Lightly lubricate your texturing plate and place the coil on thedesign. Using the snake rolling tool, gentlypush down on the coil, flattening it butleaving rounded edges. Again, if it showssome cracking, moisten it with a brushfull of water and let it rest but not too

long! You need to work quickly to achieve asmooth product.

6. Choose the part of the design you want touse and cut one end of the coil off at a 45 angle with a sharp knife.

7. Quickly pick up the textured coil and wrap it around the plasticstraw holding it gently so as not to distort thepattern. Let the longer end drop onto the cutend and gently cut the same angle in the remaining clay. The one endshould now overlap the other at an angle. This will create a good jointhat wont pull apart when drying or firing.

8. With the clay shaper tool, gently add a dropof water and mash the bottom cut edge ontothe straw. Add more water if needed and press

the top edge onto the mashed area. If you can get it right, you willhave a tight overlapping join which will be nearly invisible. Smooththe sides and top with the clay shaper and water, being careful notto destroy the outer texture. Tricky, but worth the effort. Dont forgetto wrap up the excess clay in plastic wrap!


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9. Press the flattened side of the fine silver D ring that you madeinto the soft clay. If your ring joining in step 8 was less than perfect,this will camouflage it somewhat. Placing the ring across the joinwill help to hold it together and eliminate the need to really get the

join perfect.

10. Set the ring on the straw aside to dry. I use a dehydrator to

speed up drying becaudse placing the plastic straw with ring ona hot plate could cause the straw to melt and also leave a flat spot on the ring. The slowdry clay takes a little longer to dry, but just try to be patient. When the ring is dry on theoutside and becomes stiff, you can remove the ring from the straw and finish drying ona heated surface. This added drying time is necessary because the inside of the ring ismasked by the straw and will take much longer to dry unless the straw is removed.

Making the charm:11. Lightly lubricate the texture sheet and roller, pat the remaining clayinto a slab shape and place it on the texture you want to imprint.Placing 5 cards next to the copper plate, roll over the slab slowlyfrom one end to the other. If you are using a Cool roller and a coppertexture plate as Im doing here, use the #5 rings. The copper plateis equal to about 2 cards (.6mm), so by using the 5 cards, you willbe reducing the slab to 3 cards thick perfect for a charm! The clay

will move and stretch as youre rolling, but ifyou judge the pressure and roll slowly, you will get a good impression.You only get one pass, so make it a good one!

12. Remove the clay from the texture plate and cut out the shapewith the shape cutter.

13. Using the smallest tube from the Clay Punch,

punch a hole 1/8 (3mm) in from the edge.

14. Dry the charm on a hot plate.

Refining and firing:15. When the two parts are completely dry,sand and smooth them with the sanding paperand files. If the inside of the ring has any holes or gaps, fill themwith a small lump or syringe type clay and smooth with a brush.Also fill in around the D ring so the flat part ofthe wire that is seated into the clay is coveredwell. Allow to dry each time you add clay then

sand and smooth. The charms edges will needsmoothing and the hole can be enlarged and

smoothed with the round mini needle file. NOTE: It cannot be stressedenough that the gaps and holes that appear be filled in completely andthen sanded smooth. Refining well creates a more professional lookingpiece. If the texture is somewhat covered with your refining efforts,you can carve it and define it with carving tools and/or mini needlefiles. Take the time here to make a nice piece and youll be happy withthe results!



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16. Fire the two parts to 1472 for 30 minutes. When the parts arecool you will be joining them together with one of the round jumprings that you made before you polish them.

Assembling and finishing:17. Choose a ring from those you made at the beginning and checkthat BOTH of the cut ends are FLUSH

so they align perfectly and appear tobe one continuous ring. There shouldnt

be a gap in between where they meet. When you have made asmoothly mated jump ring, open it and thread the mini ring andthe charm onto it. Close it carefully and tap the joint with your

pliers to assure it is closed well.Once the parts are assembled,I recommend that the wholepiece be tumble polished. It will not only shine up thesilver, but also work hardens the wire parts so they arestronger. Alternatively, you can use a sterling silverpre-made jump ring, but its more fun to make your own!

18. Patina the silver if desired, and slip it onto yourcollector bracelet or neck chain!


Linda Stiles Smith

CLASSESDayton, Ohio

Metal Clay Jewelry SchoolBeginning Sept 8, Tuesdays 6:00 - 9:00pm

Simple Start Art Clay2 hour sessions

2nd Saturday SessionsScheduled Sat classes on a variety of topics

Beginning Sept 5, 9:30 - 12:00

Metal Clay in a Day!@ Riverbend Art Center, Wapakoneta, OH

Sept 26, 10:00am - 3:30pm

ACW Level 1 Certification

October 7-10, 9:00am - 4:30pmBeginning Metal Clay

October 23-24, 9:00am - 4:00pm

[email protected]

937-433-6249Visit us at:

www.naturescapesstudio.com

Special tools used in the article,The Clay Punch and the

Copper Club Concepts texture plates

are available from www.naturescapesstudio.com

We asked you...Which medium do you work in?

Heres your answers:60% will only create in Fine Silver

0% will only create in Bronze4% prefer to create in Copper

14% prefer Polymer clay27% will use all mediums in their creations!

Do you have a question you would like answered?Send your request to [email protected]

The results are in!


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Rising Star

Michela Verani is a metal clay jeweler, artist and felter.Art has been an important part of her life since an early

age, having a mother who is a well-known sculptor, anaunt who was a League of NH Craftsmen printmaker, a

grandmother who wasa weaver and a great-grandmother who wasa sculptor. As a child inher mothers studio, shewas given paints or clayto occupy her so thather mother could sculpt.All of these women were naturalists and gardeners, giving Michelaa deep appreciation of the beauty of

the natural world.

After majoring in the Arts for a periodof time, taking courses such as fashionillustration, drawing, silver smithing,etc., her love of plants and gardeningwon out. On switching majors shegraduated with a B.S. in Plant Scienceand art became an avocation. However,many years after graduation, art beganto call again and she started on thepath to her current career.

About six years ago she found metal clay, and after taking a fewclasses with Carol Babineau, she began to work extensively inmetal clay. Since beginning, she has achieved Art Clay Level Iand Senior certification. Most recently she earned her Registry I

from Metal Clay Masters Registry. Her silver metal clay, and beaded and felted works have wonnumerous awards and have appeared in many books. She has authored articles for Fired Arts andCrafts, Bead Trends Magazine, The Art Clay Society Quarterly and Art Jewelry (the Art Jewelryarticle is yet to be published). She teaches metal clay and felting at a number of venues throughoutthe New England area. Her work is sold at many galleries, as well as by commission, and soon on

MichelaVerani

Dichroic tribal Pendant: Fused dichroic cabs set insilver metal clay with Pebeo paint and gold accents,strung with Czech glass beads and a handmadebox clasp. The glass pieces totally drove thedesign of this piece.

Bayberry Wood Spirit: Handmade facewith real bayberry leaves, strung withlabadorite and metallic seedbeads withhandmade toggle clasp.

Dragonfly Pin: I have an orna-mental pond in my yard, dragon-flies abound here. This pin wasall handformed from silver clay.


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her website.Her love of natureis reflected inher jewelry andother artwork.

She has the goodfortune to live on hundreds of acres of woodland. Mink, porcupine,deer, coyote, turkeys and other wildlife are regular visitors(sometimes unwelcome!) and fill her sketch books. Her work

is influenced by the natural beauty of her surroundings and the cycles of nature and seasonsreflected in the woods and flower gardens that surround her home studio.

On daily walks with herdog, she collects naturesephemera; tiny leaves,berries, pine cones,interesting pieces of wood

and rocks. At some pointthese items end up inher work in one manneror another.

For example, in 2008 thedevastating New Englandice storm broke the topsfrom 30 to 40 foot pinetrees around her home.On these branches weretiny, baby pine cones

that ordinarily would notbe seen. These coneshave ended up as metalclay earrings and also aspendants.


Rising Star

Michela and Tucker

Leaf earrings: These are molded from realwitch hazel leaves. They have the earwireembedded in the clay prior to firing andhave dichro dots as accents.

Garnet ring: This ring is embellished withhandmade leaves and tiny silver balls witha real garnet as the center of the flower.

Lentil Beads and Jasper: Graduated silver clay lentil beads

strung with Jasper and colored with Pebeo paint and ahandmade button clasp.

Ice Storm Pendant: Pine cones made fromsilicone molds taken off real pine cones. ClearCZs added throughout the piece to mimic theice that had collected on all the trees andbrass-brushed lightly to look like frost. Theendcaps and chain reflect the sparkly, frosty

nature of the piece.

See more of Michelas wonderful work atwww.everlastingtreasures.org


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KeumBooSo easy to do!

Keum-boo (pronounced kum-boo)is an ancient Korean technique of adding gold accents tosilver. Also sometimes known as Gold Diffusion Bonding, it is an easy, inexpensive way toembellish your work with touches of gold.

Materials needed:

First, and foremost, 24K Gold Foil. This is heavier than gold leafwhich is too thin for Keum Boo and cannot be used for bonding. Avoidtouching the foil with your fingers... sandwiching it within a foldedpiece of paper makes cutting or punching much easier. Little craftpunches can be used for cutting shapes of stars and hearts and such,or little slivers of gold foil can be cut to achieve more organic designs.When first trying Keum Boo, start by using small pieces of goldapplied to fairly flat surfaces.

Next, a method of applying heat. I use, and can highly recommend, the Ultralite BeehiveKiln which I also use for firing small batches of silver clay. TheUltralite comes with the brass plates needed for Keum Boo, as wellas the ceramic plates for firing silver clay.

I have been told that Keum Boo can also be done on a smallelectric hotplate that will reach temperatures of 1000 to 1100F,

using an oven thermometer to confirm temperature. 500 to 700Fis a good working temperature. Some have a smooth burner top...if not, a sheet of copper, steel or brass should be placed on top ofthe burner grid.

Whichever appliance you use, itshould be placed on a heat-resistant surface such as a largeceramic tile, with room beside it to place your tools on.

Heavy leather gloves to protect your hands while workingover heat (I bought a great pair at Home Depot).

I have found that 2 steel burnishers work best for me...

one to hold the piece down firmly, the other to burnish thefoil onto the silver. I use a short bodied, and a long bodied

one interchangeably, using the best shape to get into the crevices of the specific design.Agate burnishers can be used as well, but steel burnishers are available in a wider variety

of sizes and can be quenched in water to cool quickly.(Note: never quench agate burnishers when hot... they will crack.)

A pair of heavy-duty long tweezers to maneuver the piece while heated.

A wooden chopstick or wooden skewer to test the heat.


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And now, the how-to:

Freshly fired silver clay pieces need no advance preparation. Decide in advance where youwant to add your gold embellishment. Handle pieces by their edgesto avoid skin oils on their surface.

Pre-heat the kiln or burner. Test temperature by touching the

wooden chopstick or skewer to the surface... it will char when thetemperature is correct.

Wearing leather gloves and using the long tweezers, place yourpiece on the surface and allow to heat to full temperature. Withtweezers place gold foil into place, andimmediately, using one burnisher to holdthe piece steady, use the widest part of

the blade of the other burnisher to press gently in the center ofthe foil to start the adhering process. From the center, startburnishing with even pressure in a circular motion from the centerto the outer edges to avoid trapping air bubbles. Make sure allouter edges are securely burnished down, rubbing continuously tomake sure the foil has completed fused to the silver.

If desired, additional layers of gold foil may be applied or overlapped tointensify the gold color.

When done, remove the piece from the heat and place on the ceramic tile to air cool.Do not quench.

When cool, examine the surface and edges of the gold embellishment.If anything appears to be loose or bubbled, re-heat and continueburnishing.

Finishing:After Keum Boo is completed, you can now patina, hammeror finish your piece by brushing with a brass brush or tumbling.

Basking in the afterglow:Wearing any piece that I have embellished with gold bringsa smile to my face, knowing how easy it was to createsuch a beautiful effect.


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Buy an extra set of plastic rolling slats

and cut them in half.

Tape each two matching halves together at right anglesto make slats that you dont have to keep moving

in order to roll your clay top to bottom, side to side...just rotate your surface keeping the slats in place.

Editors Note:I used clear packingtape on the slats...

works great!

Tips N Tricks


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Best of the Blogs

Lori

For the past few months I have been a Lurky Lou inseveral Metal clay forums and blogs. I am not acomputer wiz kid and have run into a few problems,crawled through a few dark places and yet have alsohad several pleasant surprises in my journey. I hopeyou will benefit from my adventures.

The very first place I went to was Yahoo Groups MetalClay forum.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MetalClay/I have to say it has some of the best contributors forboth PMC and Art Clay I have ever seen in one place.

The pictures are inspiring to see. There are severaldifferent threads to chose from and if you have a questionyou will find many answers. Nothing is too simple totalk about. Now mind you, this forum goes on 24/7 andpeople are posting at 2 and 3 oclock in the morning.That is dedication! Sorry... my creative beauty sleep istoo important.

The archives are also worth exploring, but beware... you might become overwhelmedand have information overload before youre done.

Not having participated in any of the conversations, I felt a bit ignorant of many thingsI needed to know about the site. I wanted to print some of the information I was seeingand instead I ended up with a book of pages of things I did not want. OK, that shows youhow little I know. I hope this is encouraging to the newbies of the blog world.

I wished I had started at Hadars blog.http://www.artinsilver.com

Her blog is informative and well presented. She gives step by step instructions and greatpictures. I could spend a long time just looking around her site. She has valuableinformation available for download in PDF form. I have used her information for severalof my projects, especially most recently for my bronze and copper clay pieces. Sheposts information quite often, so check back from time to time.

Another site I thoroughly enjoy wandering through is:http://www.squidoo.com/preciousmetalclay

My hats off to Margaret Schindel who is a major contributor to this site. You go, girl!She does her reseach. All metal clays are represented and I love just watching thevideos when I want to understand how to do a particular method.

Well, I hope I have given you enough to explore for the time being. I have a lot moreto share but these three sites will whet your whistle for more.

Caution... lurking can become habit forming and you wont have as much time to spendcreating your next metal clay piece.

Balance, Grasshopper, balance.Happy lurking,

by Lori Phillips

Blog


21/27


Trends, Forecasts & Predictions

Trend Designers are making big statements with necklaces,and some of the hottest are filled with layered chains; short tosuper long, the more the merrier! Theyve been seen at fall runwayshows including Givenchy, Chloe, and Gucci, and on celebs likeSandra Bullock, Jessica Biel and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Design Simplify. Drama and punch come from extremelength or the sheer number of chains,so keep it simple to avoid lookingoverworked or busy.

Small & Simple Dot small matchingbeads or metal clay charms throughoutthe chains.

Monochromatic Mix textures anddesign elements, keeping everythingthe same color.

Sparse and Special Pick one dramatic element, like a metal clay

medallion, as the focal point, or scarcely space several interestingpieces; a luxurious gemstone, a unique metal clay link, and somehand-picked beads.

Take the trend into earrings with chaintassels or waterfalls of looped chain,and bracelets with lots of chain layers.

Style To choose lengths, consider height and bust proportions(bust to waist line ratio). Petites; super long chains can amplifyheight challenges. Small busts; wear medium lengths if yourwaist line protrudes. Medium busts; keep the chains well aboveor below. Richly blessed? Short versions wont travel or addattention to an already obvious asset.

The necklace makes the look, so the rest of your ensemble canbe simple and chic. For business, wear with a crisp button downshirt, or soft blouse with flirty ruffles and a fitted jacket. Forcasual, pair with jeans and a peasant top. A solid colored, fitteddress makes the perfect evening look.

Happy Designing!

Let Loose the Chains

by Lori Delisle

Necklace by myownlittleuniverse.etsy.com

Necklace by greatbarbarian.etsy.com

Necklace by kdangelo.etsy.com


22/27


Challenge Contest

Carpe Beadum!Seize the Bead!

Metal Clay Today is sponsoring a Bead Contest.

Send us photos of your best beads made from metal clay

along with your name, the beads title, and your contact information.

We will post the photos on the MCT website and

your peers will vote to decide whose bead is best.Photos must be 4 x 6 jpgs, and be in our hands by October 15, 2009.

Winners will be announced November 1, 2009.

First Place Prize - Metal Clay Ring Kit

Second Place Prize - 50 grams of Art Clay Silver

Third Place Prize - $25.00 Gift Certificatetowards products from Art Clay World.

METALCLAYARTS

IN - ABOUT - FOR METAL CLAY

LiL BeLLA

TOOLS - GLASSKILN SAFE STONES

LiL BeLLA Humidifier

HAND CRAFTED ART JEWELRY

WORKSHOPS CLASSESPRIVATE INSTRUCTION

GALLERY - LINKS - SOURCES

metalclayarts@gmail.comwww.metalclayarts.commetalclayarts.Etsy.comDonnaLewis.Etsy.com


23/27


Class Listings, Show Schedules, Organization News

GlassClayClasses

and other Glass Technique Classes** Photopolymer Mask and Images on Glass Classes

Check it out at www.kaiserglass.comOr e-mail [email protected]

Classes:At Delphi Glass: Lansing Mi

Glass Clay: October 1&2 Images on Glass October 3&4

At Weisser Glass: Kensington Md Images on Glass September 12 & 13

Glass Clay: December 5&6

At Blue Moon: Austin Texas:Jan 15 & 16 Class to be announced.

Calling all Guilds!Tell the world where and when you meet.

Send us information about your class listings,show schedules...and meeting times and locations of your

metal clay, artisan or jewelry making organizations.Please include your name, where and when, name and

e-mail address of the contact person.

We believe that it is important for all metal clay enthusiaststo have a forum for networking and promoting their work.

If you wish to submit an ad, please [email protected] for advertising rates.


24/27


Don Butler-The Carving Glove Guy

5 small Dockyard Micro Carving Toolsthat have been of interest to PMC and Art Clay people.

These tools are G2, G15, V15, 75V, SK 15...the smallest of the tools

that Dockyard manufactures.

Please visit our site at

www.thecarvinggloveguy.com


25/27


Book Review

by Patricia K. Evans

Jewelry Techniques:The Essential Guide to Choosing andUsing Materials, Stones, and Settings

by Anastasia Young,Watson-Guptill Publications,

2008

Jewelry Techniques: The Essential Guide to Choosingand Using Materials, Stones, and Settings barelymentions metal clay, yet it is still a valuablereference for metal clay artists.

In concise step-by-step entries, each illustratedwith one or more photographs, the book covershundreds of jewelry techniques, from how toinsert hair in tubing, to soldering, to how to createa variety of patinas. Assorted finishing processescould easily be adapted to metal clay use, as couldsections on enameling or texturing metals. In

addition, materials from plastics to silver to boneto precious stones are described and shown inphotographs.

A wide range of stone setting techniques are eachgiven a page and several illustrations. Finally, theglossary, resource compilation, and a listing of USand Canadian suppliers add to the reference valueof Jewelry Techniques.

Although each entry in the book could be thesubject of numerous articles or even whole books,the brief overviews serve as quick refreshers--orpossibly as a reminder to try new tricks. Young hasa gift for breaking down complicated processes intoeasy-to-follow steps. There is no gallery section, butphotographs illustrating the techniques provide in-spiration. This is a book that jewelers will return toagain and again.


26/27


Readers Showcase

This issue our contributor is

Lisa Dienst-Thomas

Red GlassSpirals

Ruby Mandala

Amethyst Mandala

Reversible

Choker

Ranunculus BulbousButtercup Pendant

Butterfly

Our thanks to Linda Dienst-Thomas for sharing her beautiful works of art.

Send us your photos for inclusion in our Readers Gallery to

[email protected]


27/27

MCT Online Gallery

Classes in metal clays, Art Clay certification (bothLevel 1 & Senior level) and cross-over certification forPMC certified artisans are offered at Stan and Anns

studio, as well as other classes.

Contact Stan and Ann Rosierfor more [email protected]

619-578-2075

is hosting an Online Gallery to makehaving your own website easy and affordable!

Artists juried into the Showcase will have up to three pages in which to present

themselves and their work... as well as their their upcoming show and/or class calendars.

For more information, please go to www.metalclaytoday.com

Metal Clay ArtistsHave you been looking for a way

to have an online presence at minimal cost?

METAL CLAY TODAY MAGAZINE FALL AUTUMN 2009 ISSUE

Documents

Transcript of METAL CLAY TODAY MAGAZINE FALL AUTUMN 2009 ISSUE