All Things Metal Clay
An Expert Guide

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Creativity is not the problem for me, making the time to make the work is the challenge. So I guess the best thing I can do to be creative is make sure my bench is clean and I can sit down and work any time. And then schedule more time!

The other thing I do is keep a sketchbook and scribble my illegible drawings in them, and then write lengthy text to explain what the picture is. Really, I’m not kidding. There’s a reason I work in 3-D.

I have noticed that some of my best, most interesting work, has been in response to “assignments,” from outside, such as entering gallery shows, contests or book call for entries.

Sometimes I’ve even missed the deadline for the actual show, but made the piece anyway, and come out with something really cool. That’s how I made the Anti-War Medal Piece and the “secret identity,” piece you may have seen in the article on Inspiration in Studio PMC.

Check out all the responses to this question, from these metalworkers in the new, expanded Blog Carnival. We’ve got blacksmiths, metalsmiths who work in silver and metal clay artisans!

http://www.chris-parry.blogspot.com

http://lorahartjewels.blogspot.com/

http://www.kaskiles.com/

http://www.fleseri.com/blog/

http://angelacrispin.canalblog.com/

http://penny-candies.blogspot.com/

http://gentrydesignco.typepad.com/jewelrydesignchronicles

Mokume Gane experts Steve Midgett and James Binnion have created a really cool patterned metal. Here’s a quote from their site:

Designers Steve Midgett and James Binnion are the driving forces behind Extrusion Patterned Metals Corporation. They have teamed up to create a new patterned metal material, which they have dubbed XPM’s. eXtrusion Patterned Metals look similar to Damascus steel and Mokume Gane, but with some very significant improvements. Midgett explains, “XPM’s are created through a patent pending hot extrusion process that allows us to do things that are unheard of when using more traditional techniques. We can now bond virtually any metals together, things like titanium to silver, gold, or platinum, and then work them way beyond the limits of traditional patterned metals.”

Fitzgerald’s, a venue normally associated with rock ‘n roll, will be hosting Chicagoland’s Western Suburb’s first Indie crafts fair this month. Check out the Constructor Craft Fair Sunday, May 25th, from 12 pm to 8 pm. Fitzgerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn, IL.

Check out their website for a complete list of vendors, with links to their sites, and directions. Constructorcraftfair.com.

Sponsored by Flybird, ReadyMade and Sherrif Peanut.

Tags: Berwyn, Chicago, craft show, Fitzgerald's, indie crafts

If you’re a polymer clay person, check out this new forum called Project Polymer.

Check it out here: http://projectpolymer.com/forum/

There’s a nice post over at Write, Mama, Write on using Polymer Clay to make nature prints with kids. The technique applies to making texture plates for use with metal clay.

Click here to read the article and see the great pictures.

She uses Sculpey, but for texture plates, I prefer Kato Klay.

via Craft

Tags: Polymer Clay, texture plate

If you want to achieve a greater range of colors with liver of sulphur, try the Iridescent Patina by Katherine Palochak. You can read the recipe and full instructions over on Orchid, click here.

It works really well!

Tags: iridescent patina, Katherine Palochak, liver of sulphur, patina

Over on Orchid, Charles Lewton-Brain points us to this article in Wired, Manufacture and Sell Anything — in Minutes, By Ian Moun and asks what we think of it.

Read the article here.

Pick up the thread here.

The Firehouse Studio is accepting submissions of artist-made objects for “Wunderkammer! A group exhibition of curiosities and wonderment”.

Submissions must be not exceed 1′ x 1′ x 1′. All media are welcome and encouraged. The deadline for submissions is June 30.

The opening reception will be held Saturday, August 2 at the Firehouse Studio, 3 Dunn Street,
Kingston, NY. Please email ameiatoelke (at) yahoo.com with images and any questions.