Still keeping busy during lock down and still keeping to quite a regimented routine. Giving myself an allotted time slot each day to craft has made me focus my mind on how I'm spending that time and I'm being more productive and doing less 'pottering'!
Here's a silver clay pendant I've made this week using a lovely mandala style texture plate that I've been itching to use for a while now.
Here's a silver clay pendant I've made this week using a lovely mandala style texture plate that I've been itching to use for a while now.
The wet clay pendant was dried over a light bulb to give it the domed shape before firing.
I'm often asked what silver clay is when I post about it, so I thought I'd give a brief description for anyone interested - it's made of pure silver particles mixed together with clay to act as a binder. When it's fired the clay binder burns off leaving just the pure silver behind. It is a little purer than the 935 that you usually see on silver (which indicates 93.5% of pure silver) and can be hallmarked by an assay office as 999 (99.9% pure silver) if anyone has the inclination or money to do so!
Smaller pieces (around 15g of clay or less) don't need to be kiln fired and can be fired at home using a kitchen blow torch.
I'm linking up with Julia over at WOYWW this week.
I hope you are all staying safe and well.
Another beautiful piece Diana. Keeping to a routine is certainly helping your productivity. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #2
ReplyDeleteThank you for the information on how you have achieved another absolutely stunning project. As I have said before ..... your art leaves me speechless. Stay safe and I can't wait to see what else you create in your allotted time.
ReplyDeleteSandra de @6
Thanks for the info - I did wonder what magic you used to create those beautiful works of art! Take care and stay safe. xx Jo
ReplyDeleteHi Diana. Thanks for your visit - and being so polite and not mentioning that my post this morning is in a muddle. I'm afraid word press wasn't playing properly today - even when I went back and tried to edit the thing!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info on the silver clay - fired with a blow torch - well I never!!! Of course... I would need one... Oh well, back to the Christmas cards. The silver pendant is beautiful. Well done. I don't have such a structured time as yourself, but do sit down after breakfast to make a day's to-do list. That way I can at least aim for what I would like to achieve (some days better than others!)
Take care. Stay safe. God bless.
Margaret #3
That is so beautiful, I loved the pattern and the domed shaped. Is it wrong of me though to imagine bigger versions as a nod to Princess Leia's bikini? :-D
ReplyDeleteHugs LLJ 11 xx
That really is beautiful Diana. Fab desk share. Take care Zoe xx 25
ReplyDeleteDiana you really do know how to treat us with your talented creations, love how only a portion of the Mandala is exposed, makes it even more dynamic. Clever use of that light bulb, I have a steel dome plate which I use for polymer clay with varying circle sizes, cost me a fortune to by a few years ago, never thought about using a bulb... silly me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all that's lovely again today, stay safe & keep on with that creative routine, it's something I have yet to give myself.. Hugs Tracey #14
So pretty so intricate. lovely
ReplyDeleteBJ#17
Beautiful piece Diana. It really is a magical product. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts, much appreciated. Take care and have a very happy woyww, Angela x15x
ReplyDeletethanks for telling us more about silver clay.. that surely looks beautiful! thanks for dropping by - the phone is now fixed AND the new stamps arrived too - so a good (if long work-wise) day all in! Take care. Helen #4
ReplyDeleteOh that’s another beauty, the shape is lovely. I don’t know why, but I hadn’t really had a thought to the fact that having an item hallmarked would cost money.., feeling surprised and foolish!! ..
ReplyDeleteLove your craft, so different from our papercrafts, that pendant is exquisite and so is your photography.
ReplyDeleteStay Safe
Bridget #5
It's really beautiful - a statement piece.
ReplyDeleteAlison x
This is stunning, Diana. It was inspired to offset the mandala design, taking it to a whole new level - being centred would have made it look ordinary! As for achieving the domed effect, did you perhaps have a light bulb moment there?!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi x #10
That is STUNNING !! and I still have not got my clay out!sorry I am a bit late visiting this week . Take care Soojay #24
ReplyDeleteAnother brilliant piece from this magical clay - I adore the pattern! I hesitate to get yet another craft on board my already overflowing studio, but your pieces are quite tempting! Hope you have a lovely weekend - xxx Lynn
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful Diana. I once had a go and made a tiny leaf but have no idea where it went to. I once made a tiny Egyptian mould which I intended to use for a pendant but I have no idea where that went either, in fact, thinking about it I have lots of moulds I made and I really should look them up. Not for silver clay though. i could never compete with what you make, this one is beautiful, it must have taken some burnishing with all that intricate design on it. I can just imagine you wearing that even though I don't know you. Lovely Diana, just lovely.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Neet 8 xx
Hi Diana, thanks for your visit, and regarding the kitty proofing, you're welcome. The offer definitely still stands if your friends change their mind and need some help. I am so glad you like my cards. I made a birthday card with one of the mandala designs today which came out quite well, too, and I'm working on the final set of Florabunda arrangement drawings. Dr. Martin's white paint is now going to be my go-to, I think!! Shaz is amazing with her "enabling" isn't she! That's one of the things I love about WOYWW - the pooling of ideas and inspiration, and knowing what's available out there!
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a good week.
Shoshi x
Sorry for the late visit had a migraine and it wiped me out,
ReplyDeleteI love your pendent it really, you are talented.
Take care and stay safe lilian B #9
Good for you to have a 'regimented routine' (as you call it.) I find myself doing 'a lot and nothing at all' most days and have been thinking of making a time-schedule too. Reading your post, I might! I love the silver pendant, wonderful job. Sorry I'm late with my visit this week... it's already Saturday, wow! Enjoy your weekend! Hug from Holland, Marit #20
ReplyDeleteHi - thanks for the heads up re my little "color" book.... Blogger drives me crazy! Anyway, I think it is all fixed now, fingers crossed :-). hope you have a lovely weekend - xxx Lynn
ReplyDeleteDear Diana , it looks so very beautiful,- and thankyou for describing the silverclay , I never heard about it before. It must be fun and satisfying to work with, knowing it is almost 100 % silver when finished. I sure it looks so amazing around your neck .
ReplyDeleteHopefully you are staying safe and well- here we are opening up a bit more, which really is almost more scarry !!!
Hugs from Dorthe