Hopelessly Romantic with a Vintage Flair

MCHs June featured metal clay artist is Michelle of The Tarnished Halo.

After falling head over heels in love with precious metal clay, Michelle has created so many unique wearable art with a touch of vintage flair. Vintage is after all her first love besides her pal friends. Wonder why she picked the name The Tarnished Halo? Want to know what inspires her? Read on...

What is your greatest ambition as a Metal Clay Artist?
I think my greatest ambition as a Metal Clay Artist would be to be featured in a magazine, and be able to turn The Tarnished Halo into more than just a hobby. I would love the opportunity if it should present itself to be able to enjoy making really special pieces for people full-time. Everything about making individual pieces and custom pieces just simply fills me with joy!

What inspires you?
I’m inspired by nature, and human connections most of all. I’m a hopeless romantic, and believe in true love, and that it will conquer all. Like my love birds pendants, I believe that there is a soulmate out there for everyone. I love the shape of a circle, it is the happiest and friendliest shape, and a perfect symbolism that everything is connected, and that everything will always come full circle.

When did you first become interested in Metal Clay? How long have you been designing jewelry using metal clay.
I first became interested in Metal Clay on September 17th, 2010. I remember the day very clearly, I was working on stamping some silver disks when I ran across Metal Clay jewelry on Etsy.com. I was simply head over heels with it, and knew that I wanted to be able to make it, I just didn’t know how to begin! So, my husband and I went to the bookstore and I would eat, sleep and dream about being able to get to the point of making clay pieces. For Christmas my in-laws and my husband surprised me with a kiln, and a stock pile of clay supplies! It wasn’t until two weeks later that I mustered up the courage to try it, and wah lah…I simply fell head over hills in love with every aspect of creating really unique pieces of jewelry, and then I just kept moving forward!

Why did you pick the name The Tarnished Halo?
I was actually brainstorming with a friend of mine and trying to come up with something really unique. I love the description of “tarnished” and then it kind of took on a life of its own with a bit of a deeper meaning. I believe that when you really embrace that we are all imperfect, and perhaps a little tarnished and beat up on this journey that we call life, it adds character and strength to us. My jewelry isn’t perfect, and I think that is one of the beauties of making artisan jewelry is that it is as unique, and not commercial, but specially made for that special someone!

My first piece of Metal Clay jewelry was my bronze keyhole necklace. I was entirely too nervous to go with the silver for my first solo attempt!

Michelle is giving away the Eco-Friendly Tiny Love Birds necklace in recycled silver to a lucky winner this time!

To enter the giveaway, here are the rules:

Every person is eligible to enter the blog giveaway with up to FOUR (4) entries. How can you get an entry? You can do any of the following and then let us know that by leaving a comment under this feature so we can keep track.

1. Follow our blog = 1 entry
2. Check out featured artist and post favorite piece on the blog = 1 entry
3. Heart featured artist’s shop = 1 entry
4. Follow featured artist on Facebook = 1 entry
5. Make a purchase = 2 entries
6. Refer a friend = 1 entry
7. Tweet about the giveaway using key word metalclayheads = 1 entry
8. Share the Metal Clay Heads blog giveaway link on FB (Go to http://www.facebook.com/MetalClayHeadTeam and click Share) = 1 entry
9. If you voted and commented on our last challenge = 1 entry

The giveaway will run for two weeks. We will announce the winner on June 30th. Good luck!