And Santa is coming to ....

Jennifer R!!!!

Jennifer won our December Blog Giveaway! Congrats! She will receive the Sea Inspired Necklace handmade by Barbara Alcock Gurlek of Fishbonesilver.

Sea Inspired Necklace by Fishbonesilver

Thanks for your partcipation. Biggest thanks to Barbara who contributed to the feature and the giveaway! Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See you all in 2015!

Metal Clay ... was the Best Invention Ever! -- Barbara Alcock Gurlek

Happy Holidays! While the outside is cold, cozy up inside in warmth and check out our December feature here! This month we've metal clay artist Barbara Alcock Gurlek of Fishbonesilver. As you can tell from looking at her wearable art, her inspirations come from the sea where she lives by.

Silver Aquarium Pendant by Fishbonesilver

Why did you pick your shop name?
The first thing I made from metal clay looked like a fish bone.

When did you first become interested in Metal Clay? How long have you been designing jewelry using Metal Clay?
About 6 years, I saw a pair of earrings made from depression glass and thought to myself, I bet I could do that. I began researching which led me to metal clay. I thought that was the best invention ever, think of the creativity!

What was your first piece of Metal Clay jewelry?
A teardrop shaped pendant with an ascii fish on it. I still have it and love it!

Ascii Fish Pendant by Fishbonesilver

Would you tell us your creative process?
Mostly when I'm walking or riding my bike I think of different designs.

What inspires you?
Nature mainly, I live in a coastal community with the ocean and a lagoon not far away. One of my walking places is a linear trail with lots of nature.

Why did you design the giveaway piece? What is special about your giveaway piece?
I think this piece really describes most of my work. I do other things too but I love doing the sea inspired designs the most.

Sea Inspired Necklace by Fishbonesilver

What are the major challenges when creating metal clay jewelry?
Having it dry out or cracking if I'm not working fast enough. Then I have to wet it and wait a few minutes for it to get to the right consistency. Oh and the cost.

What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?
There is so much you can do with it!

What is your greatest ambition as a Metal Clay artist?
To create art beyond my expectations!

Barbara is giving away her Sea Inspired Necklace in Silver to one lucky winner. Here are the rules to enter the MCHs blog giveaway:

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 here 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/MetalClayHeadsTeam and click Share) = 1 entry

The giveaway will run for two weeks. We will announce the winner after Christmas. Good luck!

Congrats to Linda M. who won our November Blog Giveaway!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I'm sure our lucky winner Linda M. (llhm) will have a good holiday as well since she won our November blog giveaway! Here are the prizes Linda is getting:

Thanks to everyone who had participated! Our feature artist Kathy McDonald beautiful handmade collections can be reviewed here. Please stay tuned for our December feature.

That magical connection of human hand, earth, and fire -- Kathy McDonald

Welcome! Our November’s feature artist is Kathy McDonald, a Canadian ceramic and jewelry artist who operates WillowTree Design near Brandon Manitoba.

This is what she says of her journey after several decades of art and craft.

A little bit about me: I live in Manitoba Canada and have operated WillowTree Pottery here for more than 25 years. My training is in psychology and education. I owe my pottery skills to many potters, jewelry artists and mentors, students, and workshops that I've been part of over the years. Clay has been a wonderful muse for me for these decades.

Pottery Chip and Dip Platter by Kathy McDonald

I think it is that magical connection of human hand, earth, and fire that has been entrancing people for centuries that draws me to the process and keeps me wanting to learn more and more.

I particularly like the diversity of combining my work as a potter with work in the metals and metal clays. They overlap and often one inspires or supplements ideas for the other. 

My most recent endeavors have included a series of wheel thrown fairy garden lanterns and sculptures and some new designs created with silver clay and gemstones.

The giveaway this month will feature one of each:

Fairy House by Kathy McDonald

This charming handcrafted stoneware fairy house will please even the most discerning woodland creatures that inhabit your garden. Each house is unique and has it's own special personality.

The silver piece is a hand sculpted leaf with a 3 mm topaz. Ten grams of clay, it is made from PMC 360. Comes with an oxidized sterling 1 mm chain. Value at $75.

Here are the rules to enter the MCHs blog giveaway:

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 here 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/MetalClayHeadsTeam and click Share) = 1 entry

The giveaway will run for two weeks. We will announce the winner the week of 24th. Good luck!

I actually managed in creating my dream job -- Anna Siivonen

Welcome! Our October featured artist is Anna Siivonen from Sweden. Exotic, fairytale-ish (if there is such a word), dreamy ... are the words that wandering in my mind when I wow over Anna's wearable art. Here is an inspiring story on how she pursuit her dream since 6.

Serqet Scorpio Goddess Statement Necklace by Anna Siivonen

I have been dreaming about working with art since I was a kid (after I gave up the notion of becoming a princess or a hockey goalkeeper). I took a ceramic clay class when I was six years and I continued for about fifteen years, my favorite thing was to sculpt small figures. From an early age I felt that I had good creative ideas, but I lacked in confidence. I could not get in the right art schools. So I studied at the not so popular school but after having completed university I still could not convince anyone to give me a job that was the least bit creative. I came to the conclusion that I´ll have to create my dream job for my self, nobody would just give me that. So I settled on a job that was offered and I started a company on the side as a creative outlet.

In my company I did all kinds of sculptures and projects that went nowhere. I painted and wrote a children´s book that suck but had great pictures. I did a cow for Cow parade in Stockholm (that somebody massacred in a week). After two years I stumbled upon silver clay which was unheard of in Sweden so I taught my self everything about it, and I wrote a book about it that no one wanted to publish. So I taught my self about publishing, layout, photography and I published the first Swedish silver clay book, later on published also in Finland. Because of this I got to teach a lot of silver clay classes, but still I had not much luck in selling my art. Then I found Etsy and through Etsy I found my style and a method of creating efficiently. I started thinking in terms of product development, and nowadays when I create I have a plan on how to efficiently reproduce an item even before making it.

Statement Ring Skull Ring Knuckle Duster by Anna Siivonen

The good thing about being a self-employed designer is that I can go a bit crazy without being interrupted. I can create things I find fun and don't have to dilute my inspiration to make it mainstream. I won't sell hundreds of a design, but the few ones that I do sell are treasured. I can have an idea, make it, put it up in my shop and sell it, all in one day. What makes my business special is not one product but my productivity and the uniqueness of my designs. I communicate with customers and sell all over the world. I customize things to their needs and I use their input to evolve my business further. I sell my handmade things, items made in Sweden (a country with really high taxes where most companies outsource their products to Asia and India) to Asia and India, Russia, Azerbaijan, US and Mexico (mind blowing to me). It took me quite a while, lots of detours, but I actually managed in creating my dream job. And the funny thing is that what I´m doing today is what have been my favorite thing since I was six years old, the thing I would have said I wanted to do when I grew up if I ever thought a job like that existed, I sculpt small figures.

Fathers Cuff Links Boy and Girl by Anna Siivonen

A lucky winner will have the choice of prize:

1)

Bronze skull pendant hair tie pony tail holder

2) 

Honey bee knuckle ring

or 3) Both of the prints here.

Top: Girl with balloons, collage print  Bottom: New best friend, collage print

Here are the rules to enter the MCHs blog giveaway:

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 here 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/MetalClayHeadsTeam 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 29th. Good luck!

Congrats to Julie who won our September Blog Giveaway!

Our lucky winner this time is Julie Tomes! She will receive a OOAK Peppergrass and Prairie Grass Textured Necklace from Kit and Caboodle Shop.

Peppergrass and Prairie Grass Textured Necklace by Kit and Caboodle Shop

Thanks to Gayle Dowell who spent her precious time to become our featured artist of September and everyone who participated. Our next blog giveaway will happen in no time, please come visit us again soon.

Winner Announce for our August Giveaway!

The lucky winner is Susan Jolly Lokaj! She will receive the amazing Tree of Life Silver Pendant handmade by Lynn Cobb.

Congrats to Susan. Big thank you to Lynn. Thanks to everyone for your support. We will have another feature + giveaway coming in September, don't forget to come back and enter again!

Artist Carrie Michael Feature + Blog Giveaway Result is here!

And the winner is ...

Barbara!!!!!

Congrats to Barbara! She won the Copper English style ocarina pendant with an included purple sapphire beautifully handmade by Carrie Michael.

Big thanks to Carrie who devoted her precious time for the interview and giveaway. Thank you for your support and time to read the blog feature and to enter the giveaway. Please stay tuned on our next blog feature!

Who won the Peas in a Pod Charm from Sue?

Drum roll! It's Katy! Congratulations!

Katy will receive the very adorable Peas in a Pod Silver Charm from Sue of SomethingXtraSpecial.

 

Thanks to Sue who support our team by doing this feature and giveaway. Thanks to everyone who entered the blog giveaway!

Katy, please contact Sue or me directly with your address so Sue can keep in touch with you.

I just love playing with ‘pretty’ things! -- Sue

And metal clay art is serious fun for Sue of Somethingxtraspecial! She creates the very pretty and iconic peapod charms jewelry (or jewellery in British English). Sue fell in love with handmade jewelry when she received a handmade gift from her father at six - a deep ruby red glass ring! Sue was trained in traditional silversmithing but once discovered metal clay, there is no returning. Please enjoy the following feature on our very lovely British metalclayhead Sue from Southsea, England.

Peapod Ring by Somethingxtraspecial

 
Why did you pick the name Somethingxtraspecial ?
That's a silly one.. I was in a cafe with my boyfriend and was saying 'I want to call it something 'special' and he said well why not then call it somethingspecial, of course I went home and checked online and there were loads of entries like that, so tried with extra in still a few entries, so took out the 'e'. And that was where that name came from. If I had my time over I would certainly not have anything quite so long, people remember it but then spell it wrong or whatever, so I'd like something like blii or plo or one of those silly 4 letter names that mean nothing. When you look at the biggies like ebay, etsy, google, yahoo, moo none of them mean anything but they are all really easy to remember.

What inspires you?
Generally staring into space or being too busy, that is when all my best ideas seem to come. I'll be looking at something, while in the middle of something else and think 'I wonder if that would work in...'

Half Moon Cuff Links in Silver with Gold Accent by Somethingxtraspecial

What are the major challenges when creating metal clay jewellery?
Well I know I should say time or being quick or something like that, but to be completely honest I'd say the cost. When I first started using clay, it was a bit of a luxury but it was a totally acceptable cost, then the huge price hike of 240% of last year hit, that took some getting used to. Being from the UK our costs are already high so trying to compete in an international market place is really not so easy when you compare costs and what our cousins can sell for compared to what we over here can charge. Therefore you are always conscious of this when making something new, and for me I feel quite stymied by this. I see all the amazing huge things that the 'stars' make and wonder who can afford a -- to buy it and b -- to make stuff like this, and then I just go green with envy!

What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?
I trained as a silversmith, I left it on the back burner for many years, then when I discovered clay I found that I could do some of the things that would take forever and probably need some very expensive tools or chemicals to do in sheet metal, in clay quite easily. I love that.

Padlock Hoop Earrings in Silver by Somethingxtraspecial

What is the biggest mistake you've ever made? What did you learn from it?
When I started I believed what the makers said about firing and finishing without realising that it was probably just a marketing tool. I then discovered that precious metal clay (silver) needs firing for a minimum of 2 hours in a kiln and then work hardened to make it as strong as it could be. Since I discovered this (from the adorable Kate McKinnon) I have found I can now make things that just would not have worked before (and refired all of the stuff I still had from before).

Sue is going to giveaway a peapod charm for a lucky winner. If you leave a comment on why you love the peapod charm, you're in for the giveaway.

Other ways to enter are:
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

But you must post a comment to let us know or you will miss out! Winner will be announced December 7th. Enter now!

Peas in a Pod Silver Charm by Somethingxtraspecial

Susan Won Our September Blog Giveaway!

Congrats to Susan who will receive the beautiful Scalloped PMC Pendant created by Harriet of HGWjewelrydesigns. The Scalloped PMC Pendant has an intricate pattern and is adorned with a 3mm CZ in the middle.

Thanks to Harriet who giveaway one of her amazing work! Thanks to all your support and don't forget to follow us to get the inside scope of metal clay!

The possibilities with Metal Clay are endless - Harriet

Our blog feature artist for September is Harriet from HGWjewelrydesigns. Harriet enjoys working with a variety of materials, including gemstones, pearls, wire, copper and brass. She uses fine and sterling silver to create her unique jewelry. Harriet is interested in making bold pieces with sophisticated and natural shapes. Her preferred medium is metal clay, with its endless possibilities!

Black and Yellow Geometric Design Enamel Pendant by Harriet

When did you first become interested in Metal Clay? How long have you been designing jewelry using Metal Clay?

When I was laid off from my position as curator of American art at our local museum, I wanted to find something I could do that would still be art related. I began taking classes in metalsmithing and Metal Clay. I do both, but prefer Metal Clay, because the possibilities with this medium are endless. I have been designing Metal Clay jewelry for three years.

What was your first piece of Metal Clay jewelry?

The first piece I created in Metal Clay was a simple pendant with a hole in the top for a jump ring. There were no stones or other intricate work, just easy so we could see how the medium worked.

Double Teardrop Silver Enamel Pendant with Large Dichoric Glass Stone by Harriet

 
What inspires you?

I am inspired by my background as an art historian. I love all periods of art. I take inspiration from classical and abstract art. I know this sounds like opposite ends of the spectrum, but you would be surprised how much abstraction is in classical art.

What are the major challenges when creating Metal Clay jewelry?

Making rings is my most challenging Metal Clay activity. Because of the shrinkage I am never certain the size I want will be the size I obtain even though I use inserts and follow instructions. Sometimes I create the ring flat and fire it in the kiln or with a torch and then mold it to the size I want. This process works very well with band rings.

PMC Silver Dichroic Glass Cabochon Pendant by Harriet

 What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?

I enjoy the manipulation of the clay. The freedom it gives me to make changes, additions and corrections. I can actually explore the design while creating it, along with changing and reinventing as I go along.

What is the biggest mistake you ever made? What did you learn from it?

I have made this mistake several times before realizing what I was doing wrong. I was setting dichroic glass into my Metal Clay pendants, firing them at the correct lower temperature and ending up with a very nice pendant. But when I used a flexshaft on the silver to polish it I cracked the glass. The first time I thought the glass cracked in the kiln, but the second time I was very careful to check the glass and only noticed the crack after using the shaft. I learned not to use a flexshaft anywhere near dichroic glass jewelry. The vibrations can cause the glass to crack.

Harriet is giving away a Scalloped PMC Pendant with an intricate pattern adorned with a 3mm CZ in the middle. The pendant is generous in size of 1 1/4 inches in diameter! Talk about bold!

To enter our blog giveaway please follow these 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 2nd. Good luck!

I really, really love what I do - Erin

Metalclayheads blog feature and giveaway - July 2012

Our featured Metal Clay artist this time is Erin of Heartsabustin, who grew up in the Smoky Mountains where Organic shapes and textures fascinate her. Her devotion to nature is expressed through many of her precious metal clay artwork. 

Why did you pick the name Heartsabustin?
Hearts-a-bustin' is a wildflower that grows in the mountains where I am from. It was my great-grandmother's favorite flower, and when my mom and I were looking for a name for our then-joint shop, we hit on heartsabustin.

When did you first become interested in Metal Clay? How long have you been designing jewelry using Metal Clay?
I was first intrigued by the fact that you could SO many things with metal clay about five years ago. I started actually working in metal clay about three years ago.

Sunflower Necklace by Heartsabustin

What was your first piece of Metal Clay jewelry?
A heart charm - I still wear it as one of my personal pieces.

Would you tell us your creative process?
I'll get an idea - I may or may not draw it out, although I find it helpful to do so. Then I go through the steps in my head of how I would complete the project - I try to work out the potential trouble spots ahead of time. This is merely academic - everyone knows that things pop up that you could never anticipate in the course of a project. I always learn something new from a project, whether it comes out the way I wanted it to or not!

What inspires you?
It may sound cliche, but I love nature. I grew up in the Smoky Mountains, and you can not grow up in an environment like that without it affecting you in some way. Organic shapes and textures fascinate me.

Why did you design the giveaway piece? What is special about your giveaway piece?
I love dogwoods - they are harbingers of spring in the mountains, and our property was covered with them when I was a kid. This was my first design with soldered ear wires, which I considered a huge step for me in my journey of jewelry making.

Dogwood Earrings by Heartsabustin

What are the major challenges when creating metal clay jewelry?
Most of the time, the clay doesn't do what I want it to. It can be very frustrating and enlightening all at the same time.

What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?
The ability to create beautiful things out of silver without having to have a traditional casting set-up.

What is your greatest ambition as a Metal Clay artist?
To keep learning - I'll never know everything, but I'm going to try.

What is the biggest mistake you've ever made? What did you learn from it?
Not believing in myself. If I lose my belief in myself, I've lost everything else.

Basketweave Texture Necklace by Heartsabustin

Erin is giving away the Dogwood Earrings in Silver for a lucky winner! To win these beautiful, nature-inspired earrings, please follow these 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 August 3rd. Good luck!

You are only limited by your imagination and skill level. - Janie

MCHs December featured metal clay artist is Janie of Life Art Designs.

Janie is a metal clay and polymer clay artist in one. Her special theme is nautical with lots of dolphins, sea turtles, palm trees and marine creatures. Her Etsy shop also offers a variety of polymer clay creations - buttons, canes, beads plus more. Following is a short interview with Janie. Enjoy!

Why did you pick the name Life Art Designs?
My work is mostly inspired by the marine life and nature found in my local environment. I live on a very small barrier Island in the Gulf of Mexico in the USA. There is much art to be found in the life around me. My favorite marine lives are the Dolphins. You can probably tell this by the different ones that I have in my Etsy shop.

What are the major challenges when creating metal clay jewelry?
Of course the first challenge is the design aspect of any piece and the process you go through to make it become “art”. Probably my biggest challenge though has to do with the nature of the clay itself. The fact that it dries out so fast can be an irritant especially if you are working on a complex piece.

What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?
The design possibilities with metal clay are endless because it is clay and is malleable. You are only limited by your imagination and skill level.

What is your greatest ambition as a Metal Clay artist?
I would like to one day have my work published in Art Jewelry magazine. I have drooled over and been amazed at the work that is published in their magazine for years.

What is the biggest mistake you've ever made? What did you learn from it?
One time I had a custom order request for a very large pair of earrings of an exact design. After the client told me what she wanted, I explained to her that they would be quite heavy and very, very expensive. In fact, they were a $300 pair of earrings! She said she understood and wanted them anyway. I had her try one earring on before I finished them both. I figured if they were too heavy, I could still use the one as a pendant. After trying the one on, she was thrilled and wanted me to proceed. After the order was complete, the client was ecstatic with how they turned out and thanked me profusely. However, about a month later she contacted me. She said that although she loved the earrings, they were just too heavy to wear for any length of time. I ended up making a whole new pair of the same design only smaller and lighter. Now, she is really happy and wears them all the time. And I have two large pendants of the same design. What I learned from that is that sometimes you need to say no to a customer. Just because you can make something doesn’t mean you should.



Janie is giving away her Silver Fern Leaf Necklace to a lucky reader!. 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 and post a comment here = 1 entry
2. Check out featured artist and post favorite piece under comment here = 1 entry
3. Heart featured artist’s shop and post a comment here = 1 entry
4. Follow featured artist on Facebook and post a comment here = 1 entry
5. Make a purchase and let us know here = 2 entries
6. Refer a friend and post a comment here = 1 entry
7. Tweet about the giveaway using key word metalclayheads and post a comment here = 1 entry
8. Share the Metal Clay Heads blog giveaway link on FB (Go to http://www.facebook.com/MetalClayHeadTeam and click Share) and post a comment here = 1 entry
9. If you voted and commented on our last challenge = 1 entry

The giveaway deadline is January 15. We will announce the winner on January 16th. Good luck!

Inspired by Nature. Achieved by Metal Clay.

MCHs October featured metal clay artist is Ali of AliBaliJewellery.

Across the Pond comes metal clay artist Ali Reid. Ali started out as a silversmithing student and achieved her goal as a full time artist creating metal clay jewelry in just a couple of years. Ali signature style is clean, simple lines, with much of her inspiration coming from the flora and fauna of Scotland. The rainbow patina she created on her jewelry is truly amazing! Let's grab a cup of tea and enjoy our interview with Ali.

When did you first become interested in Metal Clay? How long have you been designing jewelry using Metal Clay?
I first became aware of Metal Clay in 2007. I had just started a silver smithing evening class and ventured into the local bead shop to get some beads to adorn my designs. They were running metal clay classes and I decided to sign up for a three hour beginner’s course.

What was your first piece of Metal Clay jewelry?
The first piece I made was a heart shaped textured pendant and matching earrings. I made these at the course and was instantly hooked on metal clay! I attended a few more courses to learn to make rings and hollow objects. I’ve also been lucky enough to attend masterclasses by Sherri Haab and Gordon K Uyehara when they visited Scotland.

What inspires you?
My inspiration comes mainly from the flora and fauna of Scotland. Most of pieces are influenced by or created using natural objects.

Why did you design the giveaway piece? What is special about your giveaway piece?
My giveaway piece is inspired by beautiful coral rock pools which can be found on the Isle of Skye. I was attracted to the many colors in the rock pools and my coral range was designed with these images in mind. The little earrings I’m giving away are by far my best sellers, both online and at craft fairs. Fortunately I never get tired of making them and every pair is absolutely unique!

What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?
I love texture and Metal Clay is just fantastic to work with, textures which would be impossible to produce in sterling silver, can be created with ease using Metal Clay. I carry a little amount of two part molding compound around with me, you never know when you might spot an interesting texture!

What is your greatest ambition as a Metal Clay artist?To continue to be fortunate enough to make my living as a metal clay artist! I started working full time as a metal clay artist in December 2009 and was lucky enough to hit the ground running as the Christmas rush kicked in! I’ve steadily built my business, expanding from just selling online and at craft fairs, to starting to supply shops and galleries. I will be doing my first trade fair in January 2012. That aside, I also want to organise myself sufficiently to create time to spend designing new and more challenging pieces, continuing to play and enjoy metal clay!


Ali is giving away a pair of her beautiful Silver Coral Post Earrings to a lucky reader!. 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 and post a comment here = 1 entry
2. Check out featured artist and post favorite piece under comment here = 1 entry
3. Heart featured artist’s shop and post a comment here = 1 entry
4. Follow featured artist on Facebook and post a comment here = 1 entry
5. Make a purchase and let us know here = 2 entries
6. Refer a friend and post a comment here = 1 entry
7. Tweet about the giveaway using key word metalclayheads and post a comment here = 1 entry
8. Share the Metal Clay Heads blog giveaway link on FB (Go to http://www.facebook.com/MetalClayHeadTeam and click Share) and post a comment here = 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 28th. Good luck!

Sprinkle Your Home and Self with Thoughtful Adornments

MCHs August featured metal clay artist is Lesley of Thoughtfully Adorned.

Lesley described herself as "a thinker and lover of beautiful words and sayings." Her jewelry are beautifully adorned by positive words, affirmations, and positive symbols -- which would inspire or touch you in a positive way.

Why did you pick the name Thoughtfullyadorned?
I decided to call my shop "Thoughtfully Adorned" because I love making pieces of jewelry or art that either inspires or speaks something for the person wearing it. I have always loved words, quotes, positive symbols and things that I can see around me to remind me that all is good and to breathe! Thoughtful pieces ... I liked that ... so I added adornment and it just kinda felt right to me.

When did you first become interested in Metal Clay? How long have you been designing jewelry using Metal Clay?
I have been working with metal clay since about May of last year. I had a book about it for a couple of years and I kept looking at it thinking I would try it some day. So, one day, I just decided to start the process. I started buying supplies slowly and some PMC3. My first pieces were supposed to be leaf shaped earrings -- "supposed to be" lol. I torched them to death! I did not understand the torch process. I finally learned to do it in a darkened room so I could see the orange and to move the torch around! I was so thrilled when I made a real piece of silver jewelry. It was a round pendant with a bird on it with the words "FLY" I made it for my mother as she works at the local tiny airport and actually took flying lessons in the past. She loved it! I used polymer clay first to figure out how to construct it!

What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?
I guess what I love most about working with metal clay is that it is a clay and can be molded, shaped, cut and designed and there are hardly any limitations. I love all the processess and techniques that one can learn. I love cracking the code of new processes -- but it can take me a while to do that! LOL

Would you tell us your creative process?
My creative process starts with an idea and may stay in my head for weeks to months. I have a copper elephant right now that has been fired and is awaiting a silver overlay -- something I have never done. So, I get a little overwhelmed with a new process and I have to read about it-see videos-talk to other metal clay artists on line and get some courage. I'm not advanced at all in this medium -- I find it hard to find the time to learn everything I want to learn since I work full time as a Registered Nurse/marketer in healthcare.

What inspires you?
I am so inspired by the many artists that you can find on the internet -- not just jewelry artists but mixed media, photographers -- so many! I am inspired by heart warming stories of people who do what they love and love what they do.

Why did you design the giveaway piece? What is special about your giveaway piece?
I'm giving away the "FLY" pendant that is like the one I gave my mother. I hope that whoever wins it is inspired to take off and "Fly" and be free to do what they love and push on! Thanks so much for featuring me on this blog. All of the artists here just amaze me!!!

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 August 29th. Good luck!

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!

Metal Clay Gives Free Reign to My Creativity - Ghislaine

MCHs April featured metal clay artist is Ghislaine of GS Creations.

Ghislaine has been making bead jewelry for the past eight years. She started with beadweaving and now has ventured into precious metal clay, the new territory!

When did you first become interested in Metal Clay? How long have you been designing jewelry using Metal Clay?
I had read a little about it around three years ago and started working with it exactly one year ago in April! I had always used beads to make my jewelry and came to a point where I felt like I had learned all the stitches and techniques that I needed. I wanted a new challenge but something that I could still use my beads with (If you could see how many beads I have you would understand!).

Would you tell us your creative process?
I usually start out with a rough sketch of what I'd like to do. An idea will pop into my head at any time of day (or night when I'm desperately trying to fall asleep) so I always keep a sketch book with me. Often times though the piece will design itself. By that I mean that it starts out looking like the sketch and as I'm working new ideas start to flow into the piece. As new shapes take form and elements are added or removed the piece takes on a life of its own.

What inspires you?
These days I'm loving working with dichroic glass cabochons and they are a great source of inspiration. You will sometimes catch me sitting at my workbench just starring at my cabs or moving them around. Their shapes, colors, and designs "speak" to me.

What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?
I love the freedom it gives me. You can mold it, you can carve it, you can even use water to shape it. It gives free reign to my creativity. I get great joy from being able to make a whole piece using a metal clay object as a centerpiece and beadweaving the rope.

What is your greatest ambition as a Metal Clay artist?
I would love to one day be able to live off my art. Making jewelry and art pieces has always been a passion but never as much as when I started to work with metal clay.

Ghislaine's creative art pieces can be found here. She's giving away this beautiful Fancy Filigree pendant to a lucky winner! The piece measures approximately 1.3" in height and width. And is adorned by a 3mm clear cubic zirconia.


To win the Fancy Filigree pendant, 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 May 7th. Good luck!