Ruth Baillie – Master Muse Challenge #16

Ruth shares with us a quick synopsis of the steps she takes to create her silver metal clay and Ice Resin brooch. We hope the tutorial will serve to inspire you to create! Won’t you take the challenge, like these artists have done, and try your hand at Ice Resin and Metal Clay?

Ruth says “in this piece, you can follow the creation of Hugh the Chameleon! Like all Chameleons, Hugh is a wise animal in that he uses his color changing skills to blend in and adapt to his environment. Yet these same skills also make you want to look closer at him. He can therefore be an inspiration to us to ‘show our true colors’ in life. Yes, blend and adapt to your environment, but still be bold and worth a closer look!”

If you are interested in the full step-by-step tutorial please stay tuned. It will be available at Whole Lotta Whimsy. They will be in a handy bench format too! This tutorial looks like it will be 70 pictures with tons of detail in this #16 Tutorial!

In this tutorial you will learn:

• How to build wire armatures and components which are incorporated into the metal clay
• How to create a fantastic pin back catch for the brooch
• How to sculpt silver metal clay (amazing tips and detail)
• How to color Ice Resin with an innovative (and brilliant!) method.
• Learn how to finish your piece in great detail.

Forming the wire branch:

The branch uses fine silver wire as an armature, which is then covered in metal clay. The wire for the leaves remains uncovered. Using flush cutters, cut a length of fine silver wire. Using round nose and flat nose pliers, shape one end of the wire into a leaf shape, twisting the free end of the wire around loosely. Measure a branch and using pliers, shape another leaf, twisting the wires together. With the remaining end of wire, form a third leaf just above the previous leaf and twist the ends together.

Covering the Wire Branch:

Cover the branch in silver metal clay and then texture it. (Ruth shares these full steps in the complete tutorial along with her tips on creating dimensional attachments and 3D sculpted animals. A great bonus!)

Forming the Chameleon Tail:

Using silver metal clay, roll out the chameleon tail. By using your index finger, roll on part of the ball to elongate one side. Add another finger as the tail gets longer, to keep even pressure so the tail does not break off.

Using a clay shaper, coil the tail up from the tapered end, around itself.

The Chameleon Body:

Using your fingers and clay shaper, shape the clay into the general body shape, keeping a flatter area where the legs will go and a more triangular shaped back.

Next using a U gouge Dockyard Carving tool, carve the stripes into the top half of the body. Refine the shape with the clay shaping tool.

Carefully lift up the chameleon and place him against the top edge of the branch, with his tail resting over the branch. Apply pressure to press the chameleon to the branch.

Dry, sculpt repairs, file, sand and refine.

Create the Pin Catch:

Create and gather the parts you’ll need for your pin catch. First cut a tube about 1′ long from a tube you rolled or extruded. You’ll also need to cut two pieces of fine silver wire.

Attach the tube and wires to the back of the chameleon. Dry, file and sand. Check your piece a final time.

Fire in the kiln at 1650°F for 2 hours.

Ruth shares her unique finishing techniques in her tutorial to get her fantastic satin finish!

Using flat end pliers, bend the top of each wire inwards towards each other to form two catch hooks.

Work harden all the wire areas.

Using stainless steel wire and a grinding stone, sharpen the pin, bend it and put in place.

Applying the Ice Resin:

Mix the Ice Resin, two parts per the manufacturers instructions. Ruth’s incredibly innovative (and brilliant) way to color the resin is shared in the full tutorial. (It’s worth the price of the tutorial alone!)

Allow to dry for 6 hours. After curing is complete, your piece is ready to wear. It’s a great reminder to ‘show your true colors’ to the world!

Ruth never disappoints with her whimsical and fun pieces! It’s definitely art you can wear that puts a smile on your face! It amazing me every week to see the diversity of projects that are presented by these masters. They are all given the same materials and scope of the challenge and yet they all come out completely different with their own voice and style. I hope that Whole Lotta Whimsy in conjunction with the Master Muses, have served to inspire you and give you some new direction for your techniques and work. Please come to Bead and Button or the PMC Guild Conference this summer to see these pieces in person on display! In 3 weeks, the first three tutorials will be for sale. They are at the printers now.

We’d love to see you take the challenge as well to make this Ice Resin & Silver Metal Clay Broach. Can’t wait to see your pieces. Send them and we’ll post pictures in a future Challenge Gallery. Challenge yourself!

Don’t forget to leave a comment. We are giving away an Ice Resin kit and some Objects and Elements goodies this month. Many thanks to Susan Lenart Kazmer and Linda Larsen! How to win? Leave a comment on every blog (even older posts) or get two entries for tweeting, putting it on Facebook, the Metal Clay Yahoo Gallery forum, your blog etc. Just send us a copy of the link to support@wholelottawhimsy.com! Let your friends know how to make their Wednesday’s rock…. with of course, the Master Muse Tutorials!

Ruth Baillie started making metal clay jewelry in 2005. Her creations always begin from a positive emotion. She hopes the wearer will feel this energy, thus creating jewelry that adorns and also lifts your spirits. Certified in metal clay, she has also studied Silver Smithing at Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts and other art/jewelry schools. She has exhibited in several juried competitions, receiving awards for her silver clay creations. Her work has appeared in PMC Guild Annual, Sonoma Magazine and Art Jewelry Magazine. In addition, she has written step-by-step projects for LJAJM. She is a member of: Society of North American Goldsmith, PMC Guild and Art Clay Society. Ruth works from a home studio in Northern California, where she and her husband grow Merlot grapes. They share the vineyard with their parrot, Harold and many other birds. These birds are a great source of inspiration for Ruth’s Birdland Creations.

Check out Ruth’s work at www.BirdlandCreations.com. You can purchase her work online. Contact her for more details.

Photo credit: final piece Drew Davidson; step-by-step Ruth Baillie