Playing with Hadar’s Clays Again……

I’ve spent some time today bonding with my dremel as I set to work sanding all the components for my bracelet. A good few hours later I have tingly fingers and an irritated nose. I need a better mask!! I posted a picture of them out of the kiln a wee while ago. Here is a picture of some of them half way towards being finished ……..

Because I’m impatient, I decided to finish one link so I could add the Baldwins Patina, and see how its turned out. Here is a before and after picture of the finished link – the Baldwins stuff is amazing!! I cant wait to get them all finished and see how they all look together. Each link is a different pattern – some on a base of copper with bronze inlay and others on a bronze base with copper inlay. I think their variations in size are due to this fact, the smaller links having a base of bronze – I think…next time I shall take pictures and notes!!

I also mixed up some of my White Bronze today. During the course I used one my templates to make a pendant from the copper. The original idea was to fire the copper, inlay with fine silver and re-fire. However – I wanted the surface of my pendant to be flush – which would not have been possible using fine silver as it wouldn’t have been secure so I decided to use White Bronze instead. This new clay which after firing looks just like silver!! My pendant was fired on the course, and today I filled it with White Bronze by just pressing it into a thick slab of clay, and then sanding it back. There are 3 test pieces in my kiln, well more like test bits. Hadar’s Instructions say the Bronze can quickly go from not sintering at all to melting or deforming as it has a very narrow sintering range. I’m hoping the temperature is just right because I am so keen to get it fired! Its a long firing schedule at over 3 hours, so Ive a while to wait yet!

I REALLY like these clays. I love the possibilities available with all the colour combinations. The only downside is that I am out of Copper Clay…….. if you are in the UK and have some of Hadar’s that you don’t want then let me know!!!

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The latest Issue of Metal CLay Artist Magazine has arrived over here in the UK. Naturally I am always eager to see it – but this edition I was even more so as it includes my article about my trip to Japan in March!! I’m delighted to have written about the trip for such a great magazine!

The really great thing about the magazine is that this month its all about Copper Clay. There are articles on combining copper, bronze and silver clays, lots of copper clay tutorials and there is a profile on Hadar Jacobson too! Talk about coming at the perfect time for me!! Ive been doing test firings and playing with Hadar’s Clays ever since I got home a week ago. My first text firing was unsuccessful so I fired my second test piece for longer and it worked. I’m using my Paragon SC2 which has a bead door – which is probably why the first piece didnt fire fully. Ive made my own box to fire in and have been using coal carbon as I was too impatient to go to the studio and get coconut!!

I fired a large thick piece for 2 1/2 hours – when I took it out of the kiln ALL of the carbon had burned away. I was worried that this must mean the piece wasn’t fired properly, but I tested it with my dremel and its fine. I spent much of the 3 days with Hadar working on my bracelet – which Ive now fired. it needs alot of sanding and polishing and then the magic Baldwins patina solution that is on its way to me from the USA as I speak. Its not looking too hot at the moment ……….. also the components are different sizes despite using the same cutter…… but I quite like that effect.

Hopefully I can post a picture of a beautiful shiny bracelet some time soon

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Matser Class with Carol Douglas

I’m really excited, the super talented artist Carol Douglas is coming to Art Clay Scotland to teach a full day class in either Art Clay Copper or Art Clay Silver. Her style is truly unique and in the class she will show how she makes her magical creatures with unusual faces. They are surrounded by the most delicate looking but strong leaves, and I’ve loved her work ever since I found it!! I’m so looking forward to spending the day with her and learning how she creatures such lovely work.

The course will be held on Sunday the 16th of May. If you are in Edinburgh, and love metal clay then you really dont want to miss it ! You’ll find full details on the Art Clay Scotland web site.

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