The jury is finally deliberating

The containers of copper clay were two different shades of red

Clay pieces contain both copper and bronze clay

Larger piece is by Virginia Weltner

Years ago there were only two brands of clay and two kinds of clay, silver and gold.  Now there are a myriad of companies making the clay.  Copper, bronze, white bronze, rose bronze, steel and pearl gray steel clays have been added to the family of metals available.

In several previous posts, I have mentioned how the jury was still out on these base metal clays.  Well, the jury has finally gone to deliberation on at least the copper and bronze clays.

In March my local guild, the Western Pennsylvania Metal Clay chapter of the PMC Guild, in conjunction with the Cleveland Metal Clay Guild, brought Hadar Jacobson to the area for a class.  Unfortunately (well actually it was a mixed feeling about missing the class),  I was not able to make it to the class as I was in Florida at the time.  (Sunshine, blue skies and warm temperatures eased my pain of not being able to take the class.)

Hadar's clay comes in powdered form instead of as a mixed lump of clay which means it has unlimited shelf life (unlike the other clays.)   This past week I finally was able to "play" with her copper and bronze clays.  I think I'm in love.  They mix up so smoothly and feel much silkier (and less stiff) than the other base metal clays.

In the past, firing issues kept me from working with the clays more.  My "test piece" this week fired up beautifully.  Hopefully it works the second time when I fire the actual pieces.  I'll let you know.

Box Pearl Ring

Drying box with post for pearl

Pouring in vermiculite to support the post

Rings ready for firing

My finished ring

I do love making rings and I happened to have had an empty finger to cover.  So it was very convenient that Sunday's class with Gordon was on making a box ring with a pearl.

Lora Hart once said that when she takes a class she doesn't try to be creative.  She's there to learn the technique and creativity can be her focus when she's back in her own studio.

Keeping that in mind, I kept my ring simple and just followed Gordon's lead.  (Not that I didn't draw up a design that involved carving, stippling and adding coils..........but thought twice about it.  I'm so glad I did keep it simple.)

The techniques I learned can now be expanded into so many other areas and that is why I take classes in the first place.  

Classy Turtles

One of Gordon's turtles

Gordon's second class at the Cleveland Metal Clay Retreat made fine silver turtle pendants.  Again, I wasn't able to take the class but at least I was able to ooh and aw over the finished pieces of those who did.  There was a story behind the reason for making the turtles but I did not hear what it was.

Patina Turtle belongs to Mary Lou McMullen (on the left)

Silver Turtle is Brenda Kessler's

Both turtles are just gorgeous!

(Another class I wish I'd taken!)

Just amazing

Gordon and Jan Durkin from the Western Pennsylvania Metal Clay Guild

As was mentioned in an earlier post, I headed to the Cleveland Area this past weekend to take a class with Gordon Uyehara.  He was offering three classes while he was there, but unfortunately I was only able to take one of them.  His work is simply amazing.  There is no other way to describe it.

The Cleveland guild combined with the Guild from Columbus, OH and the Western Pennsylvania Metal Clay Guild to promote the Retreat.  Cleveland organized and hosted the four day retreat at the Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.  (What a pretty town.  I might just have to go back.)  Many thanks to Katie Hanrahan and anyone else who helped her for such an enjoyable gathering.

Gordon's first class was a bracelet making class.  Even though I wasn't able to take the class I was able to see the results of the class and they were all awesome.

The examples above were made by Gordon.  (He was very generous in letting me take pictures of his work for my blog..... such a nice guy!)

Check out his work at www.honudream.com