After many months of saving and planning I was finally able to purchase some tools and supplies with which to start my new fine silver line of jewelry. For those who are unfamiliar with the medium I used Art Clay (sometimes referred to as PMC or Precious Metal Clay which is actually just another brand name). The material isn't actually clay, but it feels like it in the hand, as it is pliable and you can do with it most anything you can do with ceramic clay and polymer clay. The material is fired in a kiln, with a torch or on the stove, and the binder burns away leaving a slightly smaller piece of .999 fine silver ( a higher purity than sterling which is .925 pure).

     Having worked extensively in wax for casting, I found the process of painting organic material such as leaves and vines pretty logical. With wax you run the material from solid to liquid, and with clay slip the process is just in the reverse although it operates basically on the same principles of flow. The material acts amazingly similarly. It was not long before I got the hang of it and could attempt some more advanced methods. I found that most pieces painted with slip require 15 or more layers in order to be thick enough for firing, and that each layer dries relatively thinly once the water evaporates from it.

     This vine bracelet shown below took me approximately 2 weeks 8-hour-a-day work to complete, and it had to be fired several times in steps to attach all the bezels, and shape and refine it the way I wanted it. (I am a perfectionist). I sanded and filed before and after firing. When it and the other pieces were fired and the final sanding was done, I used liver-of-silfur on the bracelet and the leaf (which is a patinating agent used to create either an antiqued look or other colors on the surface of the metal). I never used to like patinas on metal. I didn't see the point of using a precious metal like silver, copper, or gold and then covering it up, but in recent years some uses of it have grown on me and I think if used appropriately it can actually bring out the character of a piece. On these two I dabbed on just enough to get the feel of the natural items they represent. I used a Q-tip to apply just enough to get into the veins and grooves and to give the whole piece overall a bronzy-gold look. On the leaf near the bottom I even got some irridescence which looks really nice.

     On the vine bracelet I put a slightly lighter coat so that in certain places the silver would shine through giving it a shaded effect.

     I can hardly wait to order more clay and make some more! I'm working on getting a kiln so I can make hollowforms that are deeper/broader, such as vessels.

     Keep an eye on my Etsy shop for more coming in time for Valentine's Day. If you really want to impress your significant other, one of my pieces is definitely worth the investment!

Early Budding Vine Bracelet- fine silver hollowform with 8 5 mm. Chrysoprase cabachons set in it to resemble buds

Soul of an Oak Leaf Immortalized- fine silver slip painted in over 15 layers onto a real leaf, then binder burned away. (Leaf has a 5 mm. Pink Tourmaline set in it at the top). Note: This Piece Sold for $365.00 w/bali sterling woven chain in place of the leather cord.

Fresh Evergreen- fine silver evergreen sprig earrings w/sterling beads and leverback hooks, and spearmint green pearls.

Forevergreen- fine silver evergreen sprig earrings w/sterling beads and leverback hooks and pink pearls.

For more information and/or to purchase these or other pieces of my work please go to my Etsy store at; http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=3855