Metal Clay Class

Oh, I had so much fun at my class on Saturday. There were two other ladies there, both from Wisconsin, who drove down from Green Bay to take a couple of classes. They were a hoot!

Susan, our instructor, was very good. She makes some gorgeous jewelry.

We had all day, so we ended up making multiple pieces out of silver clay. Silver clay is purer than sterling silver clay. I made one ring, two pendants, and two pairs of earring charms.



Sorry, the photos aren't that great. I decided to keep all the pieces for myself so I didn't take the time to photoshop them.



Since I have a love of dogwood trees, I decided to free-hand this dogwood blossom onto a disc pendant. I deliberately did not burnish the inside of the blossom so as to give it the appearance of being a separate layer.



I like these earrings! I used a modern pattern on the surface, and made separate discs to give it a feminine, tinkly, sound when they move.



This pendant was of my own design, but patterned after the one we used as a template. I liked the earthy feel of it. I used a "tree bark" pattern mold to give it texture, and then used the syringe to freehand the "vines". I also used a peridot gemstone as a focal piece. After the firing, I dipped the piece in liver of sulfer for an antique effect and then burnished it to bring out the silver highlights.



This ring was my worst piece. It came out rather egg-shaped instead of round. LOL But it came out a little nicer than I expected after I added some free-hand syringe work and then antiqued it as well.

I have many ideas for making jewelry out of the silver clay. I plan on more dogwood blossom pendants, acorns, pine cones, etc... The possibilities are endless!

Tomorrow is the Day!!!

Whheee! Tomorrow is the day I take my precious metal clay class! I am so psyched!

I have been interested in this medium for about a year, but couldn't find a class close enough to me. And I "ain't" going into the city to take a class. No way, no how. I don't like driving into Chicago since I get lost too easily. I'm a country girl through and through.

My husband recently asked me what I do all day.

Well, I make jewelry, network online to sell my jewelry, twitter to sell my jewelry, blog to network to sell my jewelry, network online to meet other crafters to get ideas on selling my jewelry,....you get the picture. It's a never-ending process and I am enjoying it so much.

So. Today is going to be a long day, I can tell. Tomorrow night I'll post pictures of the items I make at my class. I can't wait to show y'all!

So in the words of the famous southern Geico pothole....

"Kay! Bye!"

Top Etsy Shops April Features

OK, The blog, Top Etsy Shops is having a contest. Your blog can be featured for the entire month of April if you just follow a few easy steps.

I can always use the added publicity, so I am posting their links so I can be added to the drawing.

You can too! Just go over to Top Etsy Shops and join in!

http://topetsyshops.blogspot.com/

Long time, no see!

I am so addicted to facebook. I swear! I spend most of time on there networking, when I'm not making jewelry or taking care of the kids. I have neglected my blog and I am sorry.

Not too much going on lately. Same old same old...but I am taking a precious metal clay class on Saturday and I am very excited about it.

I was surfing the internet one day for bead stores in my area and came across Art Clay World, which is located a few miles from my house. Didn't know it was there, or even existed. So, I called them up and asked some questions about classes and next thing I know, I am at their gallery getting a tour of some of their artists pieces. I was hooked!

For those of you who might not know what Art Clay is, it is a precious metal clay that you can sculpt, then fire in a kiln which leaves nothing but the metal. You can make rings, pendants, charms, sculptures, you can embellish other items...there are so many possibilities.

So, first things first...take the class. LOL Saturday seems so far away.