Syringe clay

As was stated in yesterday's blog, metal clay comes in syringe form too.  It takes some practice to be able to control the syringe.  When I first started, I had to keep reminding myself that "This is a learning experience."  Things that used to take me hours, now take minutes.  I've come a long way baby.  (Wasn't that an ad at one time?)  Anyway, the syringe is held over the item to be decorated and just like cake decorating, the plunger is pushed long before the clay line is laid down.  And, just like cake decorating, the pressure is stopped long before the clay line is finished.  (That is the part I still find frustrating..... the darn clay wants to stick to the syringe and not fall off.  I only have two hands and my left hand is not good at finding the needle tool to cut it off the syringe!!!!)

Syringe clay can create a piece by itself or be used in decorating a piece made from lump clay.  It is also used to fill cracks and join other clay pieces.   The necklace is an example of using syringe clay by itself to create the jewelry.  The earrings and the "King's Ring"  (that's my husband's ring.... another story in itself) are decorated with syringe clay as a design element.