Onto workshop no. 2 of Artfest 2010…
My second class was with Catherine Witherell making precious metal clay (pmc) pieces and earrings. Catherine is extremely talented and passionate about the precious metal clay process.
Since I am newly again wearing earrings (no more young babes pulling on them), I had to do this class. It was really fun, but a little harder than I expected. I had no idea how many steps were in the process of using pmc.
I was able to make 8 pairs of earrings and one pendant out of the teeny 25 grams of clay. I made sure to use every little bit. We used stamps to make the impressions onto the clay, cut out shapes, then carefully sanded the edges to make them smooth. The drying time of the clay was quicker than I had imagined and it was a little difficult for me to get an even pressure with the stamps. Didn’t matter though, since I’ll be the one wearing them and I don’t care!
Because we were running late, we just barely got our pieces out of the kiln before class time was over. So, I wasn’t able to make any earrings out of my pieces. Fortunately for me, the lovely Tally O. came to my rescue making me some earring wires with my supplies. Awesome!
I spent today, finishing up my earrings adding beads and wire and now I have eight lovely new pair plus a little bird pendant that needs a necklace. I probably won’t go out and buy a kiln (though I’m tempted), but I sure did enjoy the process and truly appreciate those amazing jewelry artists out there.
Wow Regina! Those are just awesome! So very pretty!
I love PMC and the pieces you created are lovely! So fun!
these are fabulous. and i already told you but i have to tell you again, i love your tutorials. they make me want to make stuff when I can see it.
and i love your etsy shop– the mother & child painting. so sweet… keep on creating. so glad we met.
This was so interesting, a friend of mine that lives in the states has done this and i had no idea what was involved but the end result is such fun. Pity it’s not something you can more easily do at home.
Great job! I have been making my first forays into working with pmc recently – it’s highly addictive, isn’t it? I fire mine on a camping stove and it works really well.
Those are so lovely!!!
I’ve heard of this, and was so curious as to the process! so glad you shared – they turned out great!
It looks like you had a fabulous time at Artfest! I love the earrings. Never heard of pmc, but it looks fabulous. Loved your prayer flags as well.
Hello Regina! You know I thought I posted here the other day but I guess I didn’t get to the password page.
I wanted to say that your pieces turned out so nicely. It does take a lot of steps I agree. It has taught me patience. I am very impressed with all the earrings you made and what a good photographer you are. Bravo!
Can I link to you so that people can see what you made?
Catherine
Did you make your items from the original PCM and was there much shrinkage after the items were fired?
Lovely crafts…let your cheerful spirit shine through your work…!
Regina, I’ve been taking classes for a couple years, and have a brand new kiln.
We can connect!!
Very cool! I loved making my little earrings. So much fun!