Death of a Jester

Death of a Jester was made using 30 grams of 650 lowfire/slowdry metal clay. I pressed it into a matrix board that was used to create rubber stamps by "Stamp Of Excellence" Purple and White cz's were set into the clay for embellishments. After obtaining a mirror finish I dipped the piece into liver of sulfur and Mr. Clean Blue.

Judi, from "Stamp Of Excellence" is working with me as I design rubber stamps that can be used in scrapbooking and metal clay. I find by using her moulds that she makes for the stamps it is easier to cut around the shapes without distorting the edges. This particular design is one that Judi designed for me to try.

Star of David eyeglass pen

This star of David eyeglass pen was made by rolling out 20 grams of clay and cutting it into a rectangle shape. Next I rolled out an additional 5 grams of clay and cut a second piece to lay over the top Attach it by brushing on a layer of silver paste. Fill the edges with paste or by using the syringe. Cut out a small opening for the glass frame to slide through. Attach a brooch finding to the back.

I sand my pieces in the greenware stage using all grits of sandpaper before attaching any embellishments. Embellishments can be made at any time with left over clay and stored for later use. I've been saving the clay star for some time and when I was invited to a Brit Milah cermoney, it was fast and easy to make something special.

Leaf Ear Rings

There are a variey of ways to use leftover beads and clay from previous projects. These simple ear rings were made by pressing left over clay into a leaf mold. Eye screws were attached to the back of the leaves. Once dry, sand and fill any areas needed and fire. Swarovski beads were used for sparkle with sterling silver ear wires.

Ocean Enchantress

Ocean Enchantress was originally made with FIMO clay. Once a model was made I used Art Clay World’s 2 part silicone mold mix to make a mold of the mermaid. Then clay was pressed into the mold to get the shape in metal clay. Once the metal clay piece was dry I sanded each area filling with paste a needed to get a smooth piece. I then rolled out metal clay and set the mermaid on it next to a bezel that was fitted to a pre-selected stone. I cut out around the mermaid and bezel and filled the areas as needed. On the back of the piece I added a bail back and fired the piece in the kiln. When the fired piece was cool I sanded it with all grits of sandpaper and polishing cloth to obtain the mirror finish.



Working with polymer clay to get details in a shape is faster and easier than shaping and carving a piece to get this much detail.

Diachroic Blue

This is another example of diachroic glass that I cut into a diamond shape. Using the same method as in "Teardrops" I build the metal clay up around the glass to the desired thickness. To come up with ideas I place the glass pieces on white paper and sketch around the stone. After you have the size and shape of the stone on paper start sketching until you come up with a design that you like. I always make a copy of the sketch before starting my silver piece and file it away. These simple sketches make great patterns for classes.

Teardrops

"Teardrops" is part of the Anna's Broken-Heart series. "Teardrops" represents the tears of all children who cry in pain and the parents who suffer with them. It represents Suvivors of the Holocaust, the loss of lives, the children who were sacrificed and the soldiers that died in vain. It represents the tears of people alone, hiding their pain and sorrow. 100% of the proceeds from this series goes to the Lucille Packard Children Hopsital and to another in Israel. See http://www.silverartstudio.com/ and http://twins.lpch.org/help.html for more information and donations. Just mention "Anna's Broken-Heart.

To make this piece teardrop shapes were cut from diachroic glass then ground. When cutting and grinding glass the edges have a matt finish. Often when firing the pieces come out with a haze. I found it helps to sand the ground edges using sanding disc from Rio Grande Jewelry , part # 337259 https://www.riogrande.com/home/MemberArea/NewSearchResult.aspx after grinding the edges. Wash and dry the glass piece to make sure it is clean. Then fire polish the piece in the kiln using the appropriate temperature settings for your kiln.

When making the piece I used low fire/slow dry clay and built the clay up around the stone. I have put a slide show here of a few of the pieces that I made. You can see on some the clay comes up higher around the stone than others. Remember that glass expands and metal clay shrinks so when you fire the pieces, ramp the kiln slowly. I fired these pieces to 1200 degrees for 30 mintues and then let the kiln cool to room temperature without opening the door. Waiting to see if the pieces turn out is the hard part. Tip: If the clay is too thin in any area around the teardrop, the clay will form hairline cracks. It takes practice to fine the right combination.

Totzeret Bait

This piece was made for Ran Damari, the composer of the band Totzeret Bait in Israel. Ran wrote and played the song you hear on my website http://www.silverartstudio.com/. It is a picture of his sister who has been a continuous inspiration to him. I sent a drawing to Stamp of Excellence asking them to make a stamp for me that could be used in metal clay. Patina was applied after firing to bring out the details. The ability to incorporate personal photos into your artwork makes each piece of jewelry you create more personal and lasting.

Bleeding Hearts

"Bleeding Hearts"
Bleeding hearts are delicate
As they hang on the vine.
Tiny hearts, just so fragile
Each and every kind.
Little baby hearts are
Similar in many ways
But when there’s one that’s damaged
It will bleed and hurt all day.
Every little broken heart
Has a message and a song
Bless the baby’s broken-heart
Trying to be strong.

© by Colleen Lee and Jen Lowe

I Am My Beloved and My Beloved Is Mine

Can you imagine any gift that would be more meaningful than a piece of pure silver jewelry with an inspription that you designed? To make this simple yet meaningful wedding ring, I went to my favorite stamp store http://www.stampofexcellence.com/ and ask my friends if they would make a stamp with the Hebrew inscription "I Am My Beloved And My Beloved Is Mine" I wanted a ring that would be as meaning to someone else as would be to me. I was amazed at how simple this project is. Simply roll out the clay, stamp it with the stamp of your choice and cut it to size and paste the ends. Once I had my piece dry I sanded it using all grits of sandpaper. This particular piece was fired with the torch. After firing I used all grits of sandpaper again and then polishing papers to obtain the mirror finish. Can you think of anything more special to give your fiance' as a wedding gift than to make your own wedding bands. Something to be cherished forever.

Peacock's Pride

Peacock's Pride is another example off quilling with silver paper. 29 strips of silver paper were quilled and shaped as teardrops with blue gemstones set in the center of each. The peacock's body was shaped from a piece of silver clay with 2 white gemstones set for eyes. All pieces were then attached to .999% pure sheet silver. With just a little imagination I believe the possibilites are unlimited with what you can do.

Cameo

Working with silver paper can be great fun. This cameo was my first experience using silver paper. By cutting strips or squares you can achieve effects similar to those found in paper quilling. Tips: Since silver paper disintegrates with moisture you want to use the smallest amount of paste needed to attach the open ends. Once you have applied paste to silver paper, set it onto the firebrick to dry and do not handle it again. I found that if I fire my my quilled pieces seperately from the piece that I'm attaching it to I have better luck. I torch fire the quilled pieces on fire brick. Hold the torch back as you begin heating your pieces and slowly lower it closer to the pieces as they heat. Too much heat too fast causes the quilled pieces to spring open. I then attach the quilled pieces with oil paste and refire the entire piece when everything is in place. This also allows you to get a better finish on the background piece than you would if you attached the quilled pieces before firing.

I'll Remember

I’ll remember

I remember the day when they said that they knew,
That you would be born with something askew.
Your heart was not right and everyone knew
Any days we had would be precious and few.
I cried for awhile and then wiped my eyes
With great grandmas hanky I was saving with pride.
A miracle happened when you suddenly arrived
Beating all odds, you fought to survive.
Your cheeks are so rosy that no one would know
How sick you still are as you run and grow
Every day that you’re with us is wonderful indeed
As you surpass all odds and grow like a weed.
My love grows stronger and my faith remains true
How much time is left we wish we knew.
As each year passes, know in your heart
I’ll remember you as I design each and every “broken-heart”

© by Colleen Lee 2007