Metal Clay, Pieces & Earrings

Have you ever left a shop and wished you could have bought at least five pairs of earrings!  I have, in fact that's one of the reasons I got into making things with PMC.  I wanted to call this class "Earring Extravaganza" because that's what it is.  I'm going to show you how to make a number of styles of earring, some of which I haven't even thought of yet but will by the time I get there.  We'll collage small textural details onto precious metal clay, stamping, carving and layering.  One of the most interesting techniques is embedding wire in a piece of PMC and firing so the hook or loop is already in it.  Then you can bend the wire for the hook and hang a gem off the bottom loop.  When the pieces are dry we are going to sand and refine them until they look perfect, fire them in the Ultralite Beehive kilns, polish and add a patina.  I will show students how to assemble some of my favorite styles of earrings with modern wire wrapping techniques. You'll be able to walk out wearing a pair... if you can choose among your creations! 

Kit Fee: $47

Supply List:

• hand salve - balm kind with shea butter in it that is greasy as opposed to lotion (nothing that is a petroleum product please) 
• any natural object that would leave a shallow impression, canvas, plastic mesh, a leaf, flat rock, buttons 
• 2 or 3 of your favorite rubber stamps - background patterns with small details that you love.  Choose stamps that look good together. 
• 3 small paintbrushes, 2 should be 1/4 of an inch wide and can be flat or round, the other small and pointy and no more than 1 mm of bristle.  Don't buy expensive ones, but they should be soft, not wiry.
• a very small pair of sharp craft scissors,  or cuticle scissors (only if you already have them) 
• a sharp pointed tool, like a tungsten scribe (my favorite) or an awl (only if you already have one)
• 3 feet of 20 gauge or 22 gauge 1/2 hard sterling silver wire depending on what feels comfortable in your ears.  NOTE: I have small holes in my ears and can't get 20 gauge through them so I use 22 gauge which is narrower wire.
• 2 1/2 feet of 24 gauge 1/2 hard sterling silver wire if you are going to add pearls or beads with small holes
• some of your favorite beads, pearls, or stones with holes in them 
• 4 pliers:  ring nose, flat nose, chain nose AND cutters 
  
  If you've worked with PMC before, and you have a tool kit, bring it, but don't go out and buy one.
  
  I will bring some other tools to class that I use every day, and I will bring some of my rubber stamps too.  Don't worry if there are things on this list you don't have, there will be plenty to share.  I'll also bring more wire.
  
  Kit Fee includes:
• silver precious metal clay (28 grams that I can purchase at bulk cost) and a kit of tools that I use every day, use of more tools and patina solution, some sterling silver findings and some beads.