It has been a while but an update is definitely due on the last post made regarding firing of Fast Fire bronze clay. I have gotten a new kiln that apparently has made the difference in firing this and others bronze clays, so if you are having problems, heed the read. I decided to contact Cindy Silas, the developer of the clay giving me the struggle, Aureus Bright bronze , but of course it was not the clay’s problem that it couldn’t sinter after going through the FF process. Dumb me–really. More on that later. I can’t say more than that Cindy was accessible and full of information–a truly nice…

Greetings! We first engaged our curiosity about silver clay many years ago, making pieces that prompted our lovely, perennial customers at the Mary Queen Christmas Bazaar to call us “the next James Avery.”  We have always loved working in other media as well, while keeping the fires burning for metal clay. Now that our kids are grown we want to step up our creative trek and have gone back to this familiar medium, taking new paths for ourselves with it, and teaching others what we have found. I want to share some of our newest pieces in silver clay. Below are two fine silver cross pendants, one (left) with a…

Child Face in Woven Copper a setting Necklace #2 This is the second in a series of papoose-type necklace pendants designed by Alone Star Jewelry. The first was made probably three years ago, and looking at the pictures of the sarcophagus paintings at Fayum brought the idea to life again. This time copper wire was textured by use of a rolling mill, then woven to create the body of the piece. The youthful face is made from polymer clay and painted with acrylics, framed by another piece of textured copper. This piece has a nice hefty feel without being too heavy, and is just over 2.38″ tall, 1″ at its widest,…

Polymer Clay Painted Face with Butterfly, Sterling and Fluorite Necklace This polymer clay face features a butterfly and the pretty color of an aventurine cabochon, both elements framed and highlighted by a scalloped sterling silver bezel setting. The back has a window made from mica, through which two paper butterfly cutouts float. Sterling silver wire and decorative balls add to the femininity of this piece. The light pastel greens and lavender colors of fluorite beads pick up the colors of the pendant in a perfect compliment. Strong silk cord secures the fluorite (with contrasting glass beads near the clasp) to the pendant. Necklace length is 18 inches. By Shauna.

Sterling Silver Five Wire Ball Cluster Ring Five pieces of 18 gauge Sterling silver wire were first balled on both ends and then soldered together at the base of the band. The ring was formed using a mandrel and then the balled ends are haphazardly intertwined to form a lovely focal on top of the ring. The ring is very highly polished and shines, shines, shines! By Lisa.

Blue Chalcedony Sterling Silver Scalloped Bezel Handmade Ring Try this ring on for size! It is completely handmade, featuring a beautiful chalcedony cabochon that is a lovely sea blue/green color. The stone is 23mm x 17mm, and the stone is 7mm tall. Band is made from Sterling silver low dome half round wire and is 4.5mm wide. The bezel scallops are hand cut and fitted perfectly to the stone. If you love the sea and the beach then this ring is for you! By Lisa.

Sea Green Resin Bezel Heart with Tourmaline, Apatite, Turquoise, Pearl Dangle on Silk String Pendant This resin pendant features a handmade fine silver bezel with an 18 gauge fine silver bezel. A sterling silver tube is inserted to give the hole at the bottom a more polished look. The resin has been tinted to a beautiful sea green color, which reminds me of the beach. The dangles are made from tourmaline, apatite, turquoise and pearl beads, strung on blue nylon cord. The pendant hangs from a batik string. The overall length of the pendant, including the dangles is 34 inches. The heart pendant is 2 inches long and 1 inch…

Copper with Czech Glass Beads and Copper Chain Dangle Earrings Lightweight copper dangle earrings are hand-cut and hand-textured. 3mm Czech glass fire polished beads and Japanese seed beads are woven with copper wire through drilled holes along the bottom edge of the outer copper donut, with each weave ending in a tiny coil of wire. The Czech glass beads flash different colors when the light hits them, ranging from blue to purple to green. The outer donut measures 1 inch in diameter and the inner domed disc measures 3/4 inch in diameter. The tiny copper chain dangles are wire wrapped to the outer donut. These lightweight earrings have a lot…