Figuring out Jewelry Design Solutions
Seedpods are a secret love of mine. I collect them and many different kinds line my window sill. I love to make them out of metal clay This bronze seedpod started out with bronze clay wrapped around a wax shape that was covered in saran wrap. After the clay dried, I pulled out the wax through a hole I made for the bale. The center seeds are thin steel circles that were placed over the bronze layer. I painted veins on the sides and back with bronze slip (thinned bronze clay), sanded and let the piece dry. The bronze clay was fired in activated charcoal in a 2 stage process and I always hold my breath when I remove a fired piece from the kiln several hours later. Did the clay sinter (did it fuse into metal?) or will I need to fire it again? This time the clay did sinter except for one steel circle which got lost in the charcoal. After polishing my seedpod, I reviewed my choices. I could leave th...