MetalClayHeads Challenge - Recycle Scraps with Bezel Set Stone

Welcome everyone! Our challenge this time is to recycle bits and pieces of leftover, rundown, or just badly fired projects. Use imagination! We have also added the technical challenge of bezel setting a stone or piece of glass into the piece.

We received three beautiful, handmade, green art pieces this time.

Mended Heart Pendant - Fine Silver by AllegroArts

The heart base started as a mistake. I was making origami hearts for a custom order, and this one turned out badly. Some air had gotten trapped between the layers and formed bubbles. So I drilled out the largest bubble and set a 4mm square cut cubic zirconia in there. A second layer of silver with a cross cut in it is layered on top to hold the gem in place and acts as a bezel. The whole left side is brightly polished.

On the right side, a random collection of silver scrap shapes was layered over the heart, and given a dark antiquing to bring out the details and contrast the left side.

Feather Palm Bracelet by YorkAvenueStudio

Goldie Bronze Peacock inspired bracelet that is designed to be worn just below the knuckles on the back of the hand. the focal "stone" is polymer clay inlay.

I used scrap twisted bronze wire for the bracelet, an old wire-wrapped feather was used for the texture in the metal clay, and polymer clay scraps to form the focal stone.

Vintage Mother of Pearl Button Necklace by SeavBeach

This Vintage Mother of Pearl hand carved button is the focal point. The handmade setting is oxidized to show the detail.

The story behind the making:
I made this necklace as a part of a challenge on my Etsy Metal clay Heads group. The challenge was to use recycled scraps that we currently had. Everything in this piece is recycled. The metal used was recycled from past projects, the bezel set was made from scrap pmc paper clay and the button of course was a vintage treasure I had on hand.

Please vote using the Poll to the right. Share this post with anyone that might not otherwise know about the Challenge. Everyone can vote, and there are so many people that would enjoy viewing the entries.Comments are welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment below this post.
As you view the entries, please click the artists' links to visit their shop and learn more about their work and see more photos.

Voting will be open for two weeks and will close February 4th. Spread the word and vote NOW!

Recycle Scraps Technical Poll

The Technical Poll is limited to Metal Clay Heads members only!

Cast your vote here.

Congrats to Vickie!

Who won our October blog giveaway! Vickie will receive the Textured Teardrop Hoop Earrings from Pennee Parker of All Wired Up Jewelry Designs.Sincere gratitude to our featured artist Pennee who give such beautiful metal clay earrings as prize. Thanks to all of you who entered the giveaway! We will have one more blog giveaway before the holidays come. Please stay tuned!

Envy Designs - Our October Featured Artist and Blog Giveaway

From left to right: Scales of Justice - fine silver libra necklace; Clara - fine silver lotus, pearl necklace; and Amethyst necklace. All beautifully handmade by Jennifer.

Our featured artist of October is Jennifer of Envy Designs. Her one of a kind jewelry is designed and handcrafted using only the best gemstones, sterling or find silver, gold-filled or vermeil green metals. Her style is both elegant and glamorous. Following is a short interview with Jennifer.

When did you first become interested in Metal Clay? How long have you been designing jewelry using Metal Clay?
I had seen the beautiful things people were making in magazines, and then noticed that my local bead store was offering classes. I signed up and have never looked back! I have been incorporating metal clay in my gemstone and pearl jewelry for about 3 years now.

What was your first piece of Metal Clay jewelry?
It was a diamond shaped pendant set with orange CZ's and rubies, and I strung it on a strand of peach freshwater keishi pearls. I still wear it!

What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?
It has so many possibilities! If you can think it up, you can do it!

Would you tell us your creative process?
I usually come up with ideas while I am falling asleep! If I can remember them when I wake up, I sketch the ideas out and refine them, and then go for it, all while rocking out to some heavy tunes!

What inspires you?
I am inspired by a great many things: Paintings, mythology, music, and movies. I tend to be moved by Victorian and Art Nouveau art and jewelry. I am also greatly inspired by my fabulously talented Metal Clay Heads!

Jennifer is giving away this pair of unique, organic and pretty Fine Silver Leaf earrings to a lucky winner this month! Made from ArtClay silver metal clay, these OOAK little leaf earrings are set with clear cubic zirconium and lab created rubies. These earrings are your must have for this Fall/Winter season!


So 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 October 25th. Good luck!