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/

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.

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.