Simple and Elegant "Class" project

How easy it is to make beautiful bracelets using metal clay. For this piece I used 35 grams of low fire/slow dry Art Clay and rolled it out 2 mm thick. I added the extra thickness for strength. Then I used one of Stamp of Excellence's stamps and pressed it into the clay for this design. I free formed this piece and let it dry then sanded and finished the piece as usual using Rio Grande's Black Max to patina. Now I have this simple yet elegant bracelet that I can wear to any outing, causal or formal. Judy, at Stamp of Excellance, has several great stamps that can be used for bracelets such as this. http://stampofexcellence.com/

Polymer Clay Turqoise Stone

For those of you that don't want to spend the extra money to purchase turquoise stones, you can always make them from polymer clay. This look alike stone was easy and fun to make with 2 colors of polymer clay and black acrylic paint.

To make this piece roll out your clay and cut it into a square. Roll out a strip for the bail and stamp it with a design. The stamp I used here was from "Stamp of Excellence". Cut around the shape. Fold the bail over a small straw and attach it to the square with silver paste. Fit a silver bezel around the polymer clay shape and press the bezel gently into the piece. Around the bezel I applied drops of silver with a syring. Fire the piece. When cool sand and finish it. Place the polymer clay stone into the piece and press the bezel edges to it. Great for beginner classes. By showing someone how to make a polymer clay look alike along with a metal clay piece you are promoting 2 products with a low cost.

"Happy" the dog, eyeglass pin

I love what you can do with Stamp of Excellence Stamps . To make this eyeglass pin, I rolled out 2 ovals shapes. On one use any stamp you think would be appropriate, stamp into the clay and cut the shape out. Roll out the second oval shape and lay your shape onto it. Attach it with silver paste. Then cut out an area to slip your glass frames through. Attach a brooch finding on the back, sand and fire. I used Max Black to outline the shape with a fine tip brush for more control instead of liver of sulfur. There are so many fun and quick pieces you can use to make intro and beginning classes fun.

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.

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.