It Feels Like Magic Every Time! June Featured Artist Carrie Michael

Our featured artist of June is Carrie Michael from Kalamazoo, MI. Carrie has extensive creative experience with polymer clay and has perfecting her skills on metal clay since 2012. Her work is whimsical and dreamy! Carrie is giving away a copper metal clay english style ocarina pendant to a lucky reader. Read on to learn how to enter the giveaway and win a piece of her amazing art!

Why did you pick your shop name Carrie Michael?
I picked my own name so that it was easy to find me!


When did you first become interested in Metal Clay? How long have you been designing jewelry using Metal Clay?
Metal Clay called to me the first time I heard of it, but I didn’t have the available funds to work with it at the time. I sold polymer clay jewelry until I built up enough profit to buy my own kiln and fine silver supplies. Metal Clay has been a part of my life since June of 2012, and I am amazed every time a piece of “clay” goes into the kiln and comes out solid metal, it feels like magic every time, I adore it!



Fairy fine silver ear cuff holding amethyst cubic zirconia DTPD by Carrie Michael

Would you tell us your creative process?
For my detailed pieces I normally start by making a digital drawing. Once I am happy with it, I scale the drawing down to size, print it, and trace the drawing onto dry metal clay. After carving, detailing and engraving, I finish the piece in the kiln. Burnish, tumble, polish, and then make a mold so that more of the same design can be completed faster to keep prices affordable! The entire process for the giveaway piece is too long to answer here, but there is a tutorial on my blog: carriemichael.blogspot.com/2014/06/metal-clay-ocarina-tutorial.html


What inspires you?
The beauty and magic of our natural world.

Copper english style ocarina pendant with an included purple sapphire by Carrie Michael

Why did you design the giveaway piece? What is special about your giveaway piece?
Logging in to etsy to read the Metal Clay Heads Team blog, I noticed other recommended groups to join. One of them was for handmade ocarinas. I didn’t join the group, but it got me thinking, I bet I could do that out of metal! My husband is an ocarina player, and a nice sturdy ocarina that he couldn’t drop and break would be a welcome gift. It took quite a bit of trial and error as well as research online to figure out how to make one from metal clay, but I think I have a process that works well. My husband helps me tune them to make sure that they function properly as a musical instrument in addition to being a piece of jewelry. My notes on construction are on my blog so that other metal clay artists can make their own if they wish.

I decided to give away a copper ocarina pendant because it is a unique item that can’t be found anywhere else. This one is the 5th that I made, and since I was still perfecting my design there will never be another exactly like it! It has both copper and white copper (*contains nickel) on the front, and an included purple sapphire for fun.


What are the major challenges when creating metal clay jewelry?
In relation to this piece specifically, metal clay can’t be worked in the same way as ceramic clay, which is traditionally used for making ocarinas. That makes it extra difficult to get the voicing carved and lined up properly, as well as to get the tuning right. Concert tuning would be a nightmare, so this piece is simply “in tune with itself.”

Fairy Dragon fine silver pendant or charm with purple sapphire DTPD by Carrie Michael


What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?
Permanence and sparkle! Every medium has it’s benefits, but a finished metal clay piece should last for generations. It brings me great joy to know that my silver pieces will continue to glitter long after I am gone.

What is your greatest ambition as a Metal Clay artist?
To quit my day job and spend every day making art for people to enjoy!


What is the biggest mistake you've ever made? What did you learn from it?
Making complex detailed pieces and then moving to the next step without doing a test sample first, sometimes leading to irreparable harm to days worth of work. I do this in every media I ever use. Learning the hard way to do test samples is something that has taken years to sink in.


So 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/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 July 1st. Good luck!

It's time of the year to celebrate and share.

The Metal Clay Heads are busy spending precious time with their families, but also passing on the joy of sharing by offering great discount or free shipping or both to our lovely customers at the same time. All our metal clay pieces are handmade with recycled metal which is eco-friendly. Make someone feel special this Holiday by giving OOAK handmade metal clay items today!

Here are a list of participated MCHs offering discount/free shipping or both. Each shop offers different discount, please look for related info on the announcement section. Use promotional code "mchs2011" (or refer to individual shop for the code) while check out. Promotion offer starts Black Friday.

ArtisanSilver -- 10% off
Envydesignsjewelry -- 10% off
FacciaFelice -- Free US shipping
Fishbonesilver -- Free US shipping
Heartsabustin-- 20% off
HGWjewelrydesigns -- Free US shipping
KRINLOX -- 10% off
Lynncobb -- Free shipping and a free Sunshine polishing cloth for purchases of $50 or more.
PPennee -- 10% off
PrairieMudStudio -- Free US shipping
SeavBeach -- Free US shipping
SparkleBeeDesigns -- Free US shipping
StuckOnSilver -- 10% off
Willowandme -- 10% off
YorkAvenueStudio -- 50% off orders over $200

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!