I've recently discovered the joys of working with silver clay! Basically it's a clay made of silver particles plus a binder, so you work with it like clay and then when it's fired the binder burns off and you are left with pure silver.
I've been on a couple of fantastic courses lately, the ammonite pendant was made with Hilary Bowen back in November and I was so thrilled with the whole experience that I was given some clay for Christmas and made the two leaf pendants at home - there is some room for improvement in them but I love wearing them and imperfections are all part of the 'hand-made' look! Last Saturday I went on another fabulous course with the lovely and super-talented Fiona Ingram who helped me turn my own design into a one-off piece of jewellery with gorgeous shades of autumn colours on the berries - it was such a fun day.
I'm relieved to say I'm linking up with Julia over at WOYWW this week as I've had such horrible and seemingly never-ending computer problems lately. We had a major crash during a Windows 10 update then big problems while changing our Broadband supplier - soooooo frustrating and quite an eye opener discovering how much I rely on my computer and how much I missed it!
Morning Diana. Those pendants are really lovely - well done. I like the oak leaf best, I think - but it's a close call!
ReplyDeleteWe do rather rely on our computers, don't we - she says, whilst writing this on a computer!! - and yes, it is incredibly difficult when major crashes occur. A couple of my friends have recently ended up sending their computer off for major repair! it got so bad.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret
Hi Diana, what a pain the internet can be and you are so right we do sadly depend on it much more than we think. Your pendants are absolutely stunning, I have a passion for jewellery but work with wore much more than clay(s) I tired many year to master the art of working with silver clay along with bronze and copper but mine just kept cracking during firing. I'm not sure if I was impatient during the process but it was far to expensive to keep making mistakes. I believe the clay has improved over the years and you may just have inspired me to give this another go. I especially am drawn to your own design with those glazed Autumnal berries. How proud you must be when you wear them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these treasure with us all & Happy Woyww.
Creative hugs & wishes Tracey #10 (I think?)
Hi Diana, great to see you back and I’ve linked you over too. I’m stunned at the beauty of this jewellery I love them all, crackers. Weird to think the clay burns off simply the way to mould it.
ReplyDeleteHow utterly clever is that!
Happy WOYWW,
Shaz in Oz.x # oops forgotten maybe 5?
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
{Wonderful Words Of Life - Shaz in Oz}
These are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Diana, good to see you back, glad the pc problems are sorted. I agree, it's a bit of an eye opener as to how much we rely on them, when things go wrong. Love the jewellery pieces, the PMC is not something I've tried yet.Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #1 X
ReplyDeleteI've looked at silver clay myself but have resisted as I can't get involved with yet another craft!! I adore what you've made - how did you colour the berries? Is it enamel? Whatever you turn your hand to is a triumph!
ReplyDeleteHugs LLJ 15 xxx
Good Morning...loving your beautiful silver clay pieces. You are so good at all the crafty things you enjoy. I missed a lot of January posts, but popped about and love your winter cards and goodies also. Our tech world can upset our process and hard to deal with frustrations when on daily time limits. Thanks for sharing your in art. Have a good week . #19 hAPPY heaRT DaY.
ReplyDeleteGreat space this week. Have a good week xx Jan (22)
ReplyDeleteOh yes! yes! yes! loving these Diana. Have a great woyww and a happy creative week, Angela x5x
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you back Diana and hoping it's the end of your computer problems. Love all four pieces of jewellery that you have made. Happy WOYWW. Sarah #8
ReplyDeleteWow! Those are simply stunning, especially the ammonite. Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week. With love & God Bless, Caro x (#27)
ReplyDeleteI hate computer updates.. mine did one yesterday and then when i got home today and tried to wake it up I had to sign in here there and everywhere... anyway I LOVE your silver work, just stunning. Do you sell them? You should! Thanks for taking the time out of a busy day to visit the Kew pics and leaving a comment (I love it there, as you know, go as often as I can) it means a lot. Helen #4
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - what beautiful jewellery pieces, and how exciting that this is only the beginning of your journey with the silver clay. It sounds like a wonderful product. Those berries are glorious against the gleam of the silver. Looking forward to many more adventures in this direction... and I hope your computer stops being so adventurous soon!
ReplyDeleteAlison x
These are beautiful Diana. It's funny, I have been contemplating having a dabble. Just after Christmas I bought the Making Winter book as I was so depressed with the Christmas shopping experience and that had a section about art clay and jewellery making (is that the same thing?) . I have this fanciful notion of making more presents this year - ha! Hope you are having a good week/year so far.
ReplyDeleteCarmen x
Hello Diana, what beautiful jewelry you have created , I never heard about the silver clay, but it looks amazing what you did.
ReplyDeleteI wish you much more fun on the road with this new material. Hugs from Dorthe
I've never heard of this!! Those pieces are absolutely gorgeous, how fascinating! Are you able to fire them at home somehow? I'm excited for you, always wonderful to find something new to be passionate about.
ReplyDelete