More Sterling Clay Experiments

I ran another course of sterling clay through the kiln last night, technically finishing my Four a Month project on time, although I didn't do the patina until today.

I made a couple of small hollow-form heart pendants or charms.

This first one taught me to remember to protect openings from the carbon, as the carbon wedged inside the piece caused it to crack. I'll have to repair it.

This version utilized fine silver syringe work on top. It's not true that fine silver must be fired in air -- it works well! It IS necessary to remove the binder with oxygen available, for all of the metal clays in fact. But after the binding is gone, sintering takes place either open or buried in carbon. Fine silver and gold were the first metal clays manufactured because the pure metals don't oxidize when sintered in air. However, nothing untoward happens when they are sintered without oxygen, as long as the binder has been removed.

One interesting detail here is that the two hearts were cut from the same templates, but came out different sizes. I assume this is a function of all the fine silver line work, which doesn't shrink as much. I'll have to think about how this could be useful.

FAM Challenge #2: The Design Phase

The view from my sketchbook: a new earring design with NO birds. Currently in process in sterling clay.

Finished Treetop Brooch -- Four a Month Challenge #1

A little patina goes a long way to making the details pop on the new brooch, and a signature and date on the reverse mark it as a one-of-a-kind piece. With my Treetop brooch finished, I'm on my way with one of the new challenges I've joined this year: Four a Month. Last year I joined the Ring a Week group, and I participated into mid-spring when life got too hectic and I tired of rings, which I only rarely wear. Of course, rings are difficult to sell as well, because invariably my one-of-a-kind pieces are not the right size for a particular admirer. So I faded away on that challenge. This challenge is better for me because there are no restrictions on the type of project.

Organized by the inspiring Lora Hart, Four a Month doesn't even require you to perform on a regular schedule. If you are the type to produce four at a time, post them all and you're done for the month. If you miss a week or two, just catch up when life allows.

Check out the images on the Four a Month Flickr website, and join us in the challenge if you would benefit from the collective energy of facing a challenge with 138+ other artists. I guarantee you'll find something to amaze you amongst the offerings.