Ruth shares with us a quick synopsis of the steps she takes to create her whimsical pierced metal clay pendant.
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 “Given the challenge of creating something with a cutout/pierced type design, I began thinking what metal I could put behind a cut out to show it off….. but then the idea came to me to not use metal at all but to use an everyday object from around the house. I began thinking about images and materials and color and the idea of the shower and towel came to me – creating an illustration that is made more “real” by having a material associated with it as part of the subject. I then decided to make the piece reversible and have a different type of shower on the back. I hope you like it!”
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 #44 Tutorial!
In this tutorial you will learn:
- How to roll out metal clay and construct your own template for the design
- How to make a hollow box construction
- How to use an extruder
- How to “pierce” a metal clay piece using the negative space for the design
- How to fire and sand metal clay for a beautiful finish
- How to drill a hole in metal clay
Print or draw your design on cardstock. Cut out the areas that will be negative space. Ruth has many steps to show you the exact process in her full tutorial (available in 2011).
Repeat this step for the back side of the pendant.
Lubricate the back of your template. Roll out the metal clay and then using a lubricated craft knife, cut out the negative space. Ruth shares a great trick for marking the spots of the water droplets that will need to be also removed.
Using a tissue blade, cut the outer edge of the template.
Using a needle-tool, mark in all the water droplets on the clay.
Using a small brass tube, enlarge the water droplets by pressing it into the clay.
Dry on a metal clay dryer or in the dehydrator.
Repeat the steps in #2 for the back side of the pendant as well.
Using a round file, ream out the holes for the water droplets.
Use other files and sanding tools to file the edges of the designs.
Sand and perfect the pieces.
Using an extruder, extrude a long square rod of clay and attach to the front panel. Repeat this process for all the sides and edges, except the top. You will want to only attach two small lengths to the inside top left and right corners.
Use a clay shaper to blend the seams of the extruded logs. You will also want to blend the seam between the front panel and the extruded log.
Dry completely.
Attach the back plate to the extruded logs and dry completely. Don’t forget to perfect the seams with the clay shaper first.
Sand all the edges and sides. If need be caulk with fresh clay and blend with clay shaper again. Perfect with sanding again.
Drill a hole through both the front and back panel.
Ream out the hole with a larger drill bit or file. Sand and perfect!
Fire in the kiln at 1650F for 2 hours. Prop up this item upright in the kiln between fiber blanket.
In the full tutorial, Ruth shows ingenious ways to work harden a piece like this and also how to fix any warping that might have occured during firing with the panels.
Sand the piece after firing. In the full tutorial Ruth shows how to make your own sanding mandrel and how to use them. Don’t forget safety and to wear a mask when using these tools.
Ruth uses the microfiber wheels for the final step!
Cut a small piece of towel and insert this into the open shadowbox. This towel can be removed for cleaning or switch out the color or materials at any given point!
Add a jump ring, chain and you are ready for Showertime!
Always delightful, fun and full of whimsy! I just love to receive Ruth’s projects. Her projects are inventive, creative and will get your creative juices flowing too. This is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face! These are great gifts to make or buy for someone you know. Cheerful bliss!
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, a $40+ value! Try your hand at making a Faux Bone ring from our third round of challenges by the Master Muses.
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
What a fun project !!!
What a great project! I love the idea of changing the color by swapping out the piece of towel. Very fun, Ruth!!
a towel! I couldn’t figure out what the yellow stuff was until I read the description. How cute is that?
Looking forward to your sanding mandrel trick. You always have clever, innovative projects.
Another delightful Ruth Baillie design! Love the extruded walls.
very cute design. I love things that are fun on the back as well as the front.
Ruth, this project is incredibly inventive and extremely cute! In addition to the very creative “lining” material, I was very intrigued by your use of extruded square rods of clay to create the walls of the hollow form.