Ruth shares with us a quick synopsis of the steps she takes to create her Silver Metal Clay and Dry Media Pendant. This is the fourth challenge for the group of 5 Masters. The second team has tackled Steampunk combined with Metal Clay, Resin combined with Metal Clay, and Metal Clay Faux Bone Rings.
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! Ruth says “I was inspired to make this jellyfish after a recent visit to the aquarium in Monterey, CA. They have the best jellyfish exhibition anywhere (or at least that I’ve seen!). The lighting of the exhibits is excellent so you can see all the tiny movements of the jellies. They just looked like they were dancing the whole time. Thus I came up with the idea of creating a dancing jellyfish with moveable tentacles and so “Jive like a Jellyfish” was born.”
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 60 pictures with tons of detail in this #36 Tutorial!
This tutorial will serve as a primer for B8, a Master’s Registry project.
In this tutorial you will learn:
- How to make a domed piece with texture
- How to use fine silver mesh and wire in a fired piece to engineer movement.
- How to make a wire bail and work harden the metal
- How to use dry media, Prismacolor to add color to the metal
- How to polish the fired metal clay
Roll out the silver metal clay on sandpaper to create tooth for the Prismacolor colored pencils or dry media to adhere to the surface. Cut a circle using the pattern cutters.
Drape this circle onto a small hollow form mold that has been lubricated with Olive Oil or Badger Balm. Ruth used these hollow forms. Dry thoroughly
Roll out tentacles and insert fine silver notched wire into the ends. Ruth shows the details in the full tutorial.
Sand the bottom edges of the jellyfish.
Drill a hole in the top and insert the wire through the top into the clay attachment below.
Dry thoroughly.
Using Fine Silver Mesh cut out a circle and refine the shape to match the body of the jellyfish. Add the tentacles and extra wire to the mesh and attach to the body of the jellyfish. Sculpt the mesh to the body using a snake of fresh clay.
Dry thoroughly.
Sand and perfect any seams.
Fire in a kiln to 1650°F for 2 hours.
Apply gesso and Prismacolor to the surface of the textured metal.
Apply turpentine and heat to the piece, which blends the colors nicely.
Ruth’s full tutorial shows each individual step and tools used.
Repeat color technique on tentacles also.
Polish up the fired metal clay body and the metal clay tentacles. Ruth shows you how to make your own sanding tools in the full tutorial.
Take the remaining wire and using needle nose pliers make a looped bail.
Attach the chain to the remaining wires inserted before the body was fired. Cut each chain to different lengths. This will add a lot of movement to your piece and interest to the tentacles.
Work harden the bail with a small hammer.
Spray the piece with Nikolas Spray in a well-ventilated space. 2 coats, waiting 15 minutes between coats.
Once dry, thread the 30 inch chain through the bail. This allows the jellyfish to move freely on the body. Now watch him “jive like a jellyfish!”
Ruth always manages to put a big smile on my face when I see her work. I think that art jewelry should not only be beautiful but evoke emotion within. It should make you feel something and Ruth’s work certainly always does that. It’s the jewelry you reach for when you want to feel happy, silly, or just to have a brighter day! When was the last time you made or purchased something fun to wear?
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 1/2″ Faux Bone Ring Blank along WITH a Faux Bone Peeler from Robert Dancik this month, a $40+ value! Try your hand at making a Faux Bone ring from our third round of challenges from this team of masters.
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! Your odds of winning are pretty darn good so leave a message or comment.
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 as well!
Photo credit: final piece Drew Davidson; step-by-step Ruth Baillie
Wonderful project Ruth! I love the idea of rolling out the clay on sandpaper for a ‘toothy’ texture for the pencil. And the screening underneath – excellent!
So cute Ruth! I love the color technique!
Oooh, the “moon jellies” at Monterey Bay Aquarium are superb! And, yes, inspiring! Now I want a whole collection of these silver ones, in all the shapes, from balled-up to flattened out like this, that they take on as they glide through the water.