Texture in Fine Silver Earrings

Texturing fine silver clay (PMC3) and then pushing it around to do a little bit more such as these earrings is part of the thrill of using the medium. After cutting out the square shape, simply push on the sides gently until it humps up in the middle. Let it dry in that form, and then fire it in a saucer of vermiculite in the kiln. On this particular pair of earrings, I have patinaed them with liver of sulphur to the dark golden stage. And then put them in the tumbler for an hour or so. Fine silver earwires (made by fusing the ends of fine silver wire and then forming around a mandrel) are perfect complements to the textured silver.

Bead on a Wire - with PMC3 of course!

Ok, I'm back at it again - making jewelry of course!  After 3 weeks of a nasty virus cold, and even more time spent than I'd like working on finishing our house addition, I had to take out my kiln and get some new silver objects going.  One of the little things I love to make with PMC and fine silver wire  is a headpin with rolled silver clay in an interesting shape.  The bottom of these earrings are long "dagger" shapes made that way.  Just roll it around on the board, making one end come to a point, stick in a 2.5 inch length of 20 gauge fine silver wire and fire in the kiln.  I always try to make at least 2 of the same shape so that if I decide to make earrings I have a pair of headpins to work with.  Of course these are especially fun with the wonderful lampwork of Corina (www.corinabeads.com) to top them off.  I love these - may have to keep them for myself! 

Bead in a Frame

Here's something a little different to make with PMC3 - a picture frame that holds a bead. All you have to do is to set two fine silver wires into the inside of the frame at the top and bottom. Make sure that they don't quite meet. Do this while the clay is still wet, before you fire it. Then after it is polished insert the bead, bending the wires out a little to insert them into the bead. A lentil bead works best, but you could use almost anything - stones, pearls, crystals. I think it works especially well when you have an interesting bead you want to showcase.

Fun Stretchies from Michael's beads

Yes, I did it again! Trying something new to me, but old to everyone else crafting bracelets. Just curious about what I could make after a trip to Michael's Craft Store to get stretch cord to repair a customer's bracelet as a favor. Well, I just had to look around, and of course try some of the beads available there - shells, matte glass with copper, black and white ceramic. I used my own stash of Bali sterling spacer beads, and put a silver crimp cover bead on the knot. They are fun to wear, nothing serious, but with the jingle of my little PMC dangles added, they feel very seashore-y!!