Patrik Kusek – Master Muse Challenge #34

Patrik shares with us a quick synopsis of the steps he takes to create his Silver Metal Clay and WhimsyCrete Pendant. This is the fourth challenge for the first group of 5 Masters. He has created Metal Clay Clasps, Torch Fired Enamels with Metal Clay and Boxes with Metal Clay Components. 

We hope the tutorial will serve to inspire you to create! No matter if you just get out your sketch book and draw a similar project based on these challenges. It’s a place to start. It’s a way to start off your day in the right frame of mind with a creative exercise!

Patrik says “this pendant honors mother nature and the similarities between the forest and the sea. It was inspired by antique reliquaries that often held mementos of things held dear to one’s heart. It uses WhimsyCrete; a creative, fun and versatile material. It can be polished or left in it’s rough form. It can be embedded with objects such as sea glass or other items, and it can be tinted in a variety of different colors. For this project I’ve explored the idea of emphasizing contrast. The rough look of WhimsyCrete next to the glossy resin is the perfect solution.”

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 over 80 pictures with tons of detail in the #34 Tutorial!

In this tutorial you will learn:

• How to make an open bezel pendant with slab construction, with an inner bezel
• How to reinforce seams and carve out shapes from clay
• How to texture metal clay using PhotoPolymer Plates
• How to make a custom bail and embellishments from clay construction
• How to use WhimsyCrete
• How to use UV Resin
• How to patina and finish a fired piece of metal clay

Condition and roll out polymer clay. Using the template you’ve cut out for this project, cut around the design with a Tissue Blade.

Use your finger to smooth the cut edges. Bake the clay in an oven (toaster or convection oven dedicated to polymer clay) to the mfg instructed temperature and time.

Copy off your design onto a transparency.  If you desire sharp crisp lines, you may want to also make a TNF so that your transparency is totally black.  If the UV light can leak through the edges of your transparency, the photopolymer material will not be fully cured.

For more information visit WholeLottaWhimsy.com for thorough instructions.

Apply the transparency or TNF to the photopolymer plate (PPP) and create your Glass Sandwich. Expose the PPP in a UV light for 25-40 seconds, but no longer than 1 minute.

Dismantle the glass sandwich and scrub under water with a brush for 1-2 minutes until the non-cured photopolymer material has been removed.

Place the PPP back into the UV lamp and expose for 1 minute. No need to put back into the sandwich for this step.

Lubricate your PPP with either Badger Balm or Olive Oil. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies with either a small brush or a Badger Brush.

Roll out your silver metal clay and then press the PPP into the clay. Check the impression for depth and clarity.

Using a Tissue Blade trim the edges and then cut it down the center.

Lubricate the cured polymer clay armature and apply the silver metal clay around the armature. Join the seams together and perfect using a Clay Shaper.

Set aside to dry on a large warmer or dehydrator.

Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 for the back plate of the piece, using metal clay and the additional PPP.

Roll out a strip of silver metal clay and wrap it around the Ring Mandrel on the desired size ring/bezel mandrel. This bezel will hold your object in resin.

Mend the seam with the Clay Shaper. Set aside to dry.

When bone dry remove the taped paper sleeve.

Sand on 400 grit once you’ve determined it is completely dry.

Perfect the back plate so it fits perfectly inside the reinforced larger pendant bezel walls. Using a Syringe of metal clay, reinforce the inside seam. Tap down the syringe line with a slightly damp brush.

Fill in any gaps on the reverse side with small snakes of silver metal clay. Using your Clay Shaper smooth and perfect.

Attach the ring/bezel you made to hold the resin and ephmera. Using the Syringe seal the attachment to the back plate.

Using additional clay fill in the reinforced corner. Using a Dockyard Carving Gouge, carve out the corners to a pleasing rounded shape.

Sand to the desire height and sand any imperfections on the edges.

Roll out a clay snake to make the attached bail. Additional metal clay branches are to be added as well as using the Dockyard Carving Gouge to add detail.

Repeat steps to create the attached branch at the base of the piece.

Attach using water and slip. Set aside to dry and fill in remaining gaps.
Fire to the manufactured instructions on vermiculite or fiber blanket in a kiln at 1650°F for 2 hours.

Use a brass brush and soap to finish the surface by laying down the particles of silver.

Mix up a strong solution of Liver of Sulphur and hot water. Dip until the dark color is desired.

Using a Pro Polishing Pad, remove the LOS on the highlights, leaving the darker color in the texture of the pendant.

Mix up WhimsyCrete, following manufacturer instructions and apply to the cavity of the pendant. Using a Clay shaper remove stray concrete before it sets up. Allow to dry 24 hours.

Using UV Prep, clean the inside cavity of the bezel.

Warm up the UV Resin so it becomes more viscous. Using a toothpick apply enough resin to coat the bottom of the bezel.

Insert the soft coral or other ephmera objects. Apply more UV resin.

Dislodge bubbles by tapping the pendant on the table or by using a vibrator under the pendant. Holding a bbq lighter flame across the surface, additional bubbles on the surface will pop.

Cure in a UV light. After curing use the UV Prep to remove the tackiness of the surface.

Here is a helpful video on the process at WholeLottaWhimsy.com

Another wonderful nature inspired piece by Patrik!  The texture invites you to dream about the rough earth and the liquid sea.  You want to feel it and see how it feels against your skin.   

Incredibly each of these Master Muse class tutorials exposes new techniques to even the most seasoned of instructors and makers. I’m always surprised at how differently each artist approaches a challenge and how their skills allow them to execute a creative result. I learn at least one valuable shortcut or new technique in each tutorial.

These are affordable classes that you can take in your studio, at your pace, with all the details and more that you would get in a live class. Not to mention that they are scrupulously edited and if the details aren’t there, I ask for more info and pictures.

We’d love to see you take the challenge and make this or a similar piece as well. 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 a Linda Kaye-Moses Doming Plate this month. 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 Tutorial launch!

Patrik Kusek has been in the design and fashion industry for over 20 years and currently teaches metal clay classes and workshops in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as nationally. He is a senior PMC® instructor who teaches for Rio Grande and his work has appeared in numerous publications including Art Jewelry, Lapidary Journal, MJSA, and various books. He is a member of SNAG, ACC and the PMC Guild. Patrik is the 1st place Saul Bell winner of the 2007 PMC category.

Check out Patrik’s work at www.PatriksStudio.com. You can purchase his work online as well!

Photo credit: final piece Drew Davidson; step-by-step Patrik Kusek