Form folded leaf ala art jewelry this issue

I had fold formed before, but wanted to try again, since I had gotten some new tools last Christmas. Not the exagerated like in the magazine, but I like it. I have been playing around with metal clay sheets that I have made ahead and am working my way through. I thought the round swirls complimented the rustic leaf. Bought the copper chain and made a necklace by adding the closure. The pendant is about 3 1/4 inches long and about 2 1/2 inches at widest point. fun will try more of this.

adventures with Bronz clay

Well I finally got my Bronz clay...yea!

I thought I would cronicle my experience in hopes that it would inspire others to take the plunge.

I had read everything on the metal clay forum and tried to plot out my plan of action...I cut the 200 grams down to 25 gram portions.

Took one 25 gram package and dripped some mineral oil on it (felt a bit dry, even though it was pliable) and rolled it back up in plastic and into a plastic bag and into the frig overnight.

Took some out and kneaded it for several minutes wrapped in plastic wrap and then laid it out and rolled to 5 cards thick and then textured....felt smooth and moist.

Finished up the joins on the rings and set aside to dry...left them overnight. Came back next morning and one had split open, not at the join and several small cracks....thought about making some slip and decided to take some clay and put it in a water color tray...about 5 drops of water and a half pecan amount of clay...I decided to go with the clay....the water kinda melted it, but not really....just moist and very maleable...used a knife blade/flat spatula sort of thing to make the repairs and when I finished filling, used a brush and some of the clay water for smoothing.

Set aside for several hours and came back and did some preliminary clean up...liked the way it felt, more substancial than silver clay...

I bought a small 18/8 stainless canister at bed bath and beyond for $4.00, filled it up about 2/3 with the charcoal.. put the rings in the center and filled the can up with another 2-2 1/2 inches of the acid washed charcoal put my top on...

Ramped at 500 per hour, held at 610 F for 2 hours, took out after 2 hours when it was finished and opened....

Got no color, but really didn't want any this time, did not pretreat charcoal.

I just did a quickie polish....looks like gold....very hard, which is so different for me...used to dead soft silver...

Shrinkage...very odd shrinkage, they appear to have reduced considerably in thickness, but were made according to Hattie's suggestion for a size 6 and they are more like a 7.

The rings aren't much, but I wanted to get comfortable with the process and what to expect...

design challenge #5
wrapped bead "pod"
this was an interesting concept, but the bead part was hard for me to work through. I didn't much like the beads...but didn't come up with a better idea.
I had a great time with the "wrapper"...forged the copped pod, and got a little shaping going on the edges, which I was thrilled with...I have never bought dyed beads...(that I know of)...but I found these and no one knew what they were before being dyed...but the color was so different I had to have them and I believe they will be one of my favorites, until I use all 13 of them.
Another assembled chain, more Bali silver and another beaded bail....I do like that detail!

challenge #4-riveted
This was a hit with me...had alot of fun with this one. I have a new tiny riveting hammer and it certainly makes a difference. I was using a big "sucker" from home depot.
Assembled the copper chain, cut and domed the circle, forged the silver, cut and textured the copper square and riveted it to the back copper shape and through the silver. The pendant is non moving. Added the wire bail with a "flourish" to break up the formal design. Simple but slightly complex.
One of my goals this year was to create more complex pieces...this doesn't seem complex, but there were several design elements and lots of different finishing aspects, so I consider this piece to be moving toward my personal goal.

challenge #3
This was the shelf pendant
I wasn't thrilled with this one, but forged on....literally and figuratively!
Again this was the heavier sheet copper, turquoise and a lamp bead...cut and domed a circle, added one of those wonderful Bali flower head pins and a copper bead cap and again used Mary's beaded bail...can you tell I like that detail?
Assembled some premade copper chain with a barrel clasp, which overall the copper chain makes the difference with a copper pendant, even if the pendant has silver on it. This is ok, but not one of my favorites...
Did enjoy using one of my new stakes for shaping....I am practising every day with the forging techniques and I am learning, but is a slow go.

Deryn Mentoc's challenge

#2 folded
Mary's book used the folded technique in earrings and I started there, but wasn't happy with the results I was getting, so they are lying on my bench unfinished until I get the inspirations to finish them. This was what I ended up with for this challenge. I forged some copper sheet, which I think is about 24 gauge...a bit heavier, which I like, but still comfortable to wear. I used a metal clay leaf and used a faux rivet, which is actually a Bali decorative head pin, which I really like....the leaf turns loosely....then I used Mary's technique of adding a bead on her bail component...which I like...all in all I was pleased with my results....simple but effective.

I found three inspirational books...check them out

The youth director at my chuch loaned me a book about three weeks ago...you know how it is when you read a book and some times they just blow you away....well...
the first one I read was Dinner With a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory
it is a two hour read and I pondered it for about two weeks...simple, but very thought provoking
A young professional has dinner with Jesus
second one
A Day With a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory
the young professional's wife spends the day traveling to a business meeting with Jesus
book 3
The Next Level (A Parable of Finding Your Place in Life) by David Gregory
A fun look at what happens to us when we enter corporate America
Each one of these books are quick reads, but they are definately worth going back and really
studying.