Spring Awakenings with 3-D Technique

MCHs Team May Challenge

I'm super psyched to see all the fabulous entries this time. These entries are entirely artistic inspirations from the special characteristic of precious metal clay - its versatility.

Here are the 12 entries from our very talented team members. The public poll is open for two weeks. The technical poll, also open for two weeks, is restricted to MCHs team members only. Enjoy and don't forget to vote! Please cast your vote on the right column; and if you post a comment, you will be automatically entered into our June blog giveaway. Poll will be close on May 31st.

Vila Queen ... OOAK Star Sapphire Pendant by Stardust

Vilas are said to be shamanic healing spirits, magical dancers, and woodland herbalists who guard women, animals, and the forest... more

Origami Cat with Silver Paper PMC by YorkAvenueStudio


Origami Cat with Silver Paper PMC - This cute snoozing kitty is in no rush to wake just yet. Spring is here and there is so much to explore, but still time for a little cat-nap! I folded this 3D kitty with Origami inspired by Master Tomoko's design and the kitty does stand up on her own! I added ... more

Solid Sterling Lambie Pendant by Rainjewelry

I sculpt this with fine silver and oxidize the face, feet and bow. I would make a simple loop bail... more

Daffodil Pin by Willowandme

I have been experimenting with combining bronze and copper and so decided to use both in this piece. Daffodils have always meant spring to me as they are the first to bloom in my garden and brighten it with the first colors of the year... more

Micro Bucket Bouquet Necklace (with Labradorite and Yellow Sapphire) by SparkleBeeDesigns

A very tiny handmade fine silver bucket with beautiful blue and yellow glass enameled flowers. HIdden inside the bucket are realistic polymer clay pebbles and "water" (clear resin) to keep the flowers fresh... more

Devil Rays by SweetleafSisterz

Well, this isn't exactly "spring", but the sea is the original site of new beginnings...

Copper Sculpted Flower Poppy Pendant Necklace by PrairieMudStudio

Copper metal clay has been sculpted into a simple poppy figure atop a rectangle base. The unique pendant hangs from a copper chain... more

Message in a Bottle by Seavbeach

This was hollow vessel with a floral design. The lid screws on and off to reveal a secret message inside. I started creating this piece especially for me on Mothers Day... more

Handmade Fine Silver Butterfly Chrysalis Necklace by Envydesignsjewelry

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.~Irish Blessing ... more

Spring Flip Flop Necklace In Fine Silver by Lifeartdesigns

Just in time for Spring and summer...This is a handcrafted flip flop necklace made from fine silver clay. Each flip flop was carved from fine silver clay and placed on an oval base also made from silver clay... more

Fairy House by DaVoria

This is the fairy house I made for the Fairy House Festival that takes place at Artpark in Lewiston NY this coming June. This pendant is made from pmc. I used a stamp that looks like stones for the floor... more

Silver and Amethyst Geode Egg Pendant by Somethingxtraspecial

This fine silver hollow egg, open at the top and filled with gorgeous amethyst coloured crystals is a unique way to wear a beautiful geode style pendant... more

Spring Awakenings Challenge Technical Poll

This poll is open to MCHs members only.

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Capecodjewel Wins!

Congrats to Linda/Capecodjewel who wins our April blog giveaway! She's also our #100 blog follower, thanks Linda for your devoted support! She will be receiving the Fancy Filigree pendant from Ghislaine of GS Creations.


Upcoming is our May team challenge and the theme is "3-D". Please stay tuned for our team members exciting creations and another chance to enter to our next blog giveaway in June.

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!

Jennifer of EnvyDesignsJewelry Won Our March Challenge!

Congrats to Jennifer of Envydesignsjewelry! Her The Sun shines through the Rain pendant swept us away and won both public and technical polls (with 22 public votes and 9 technical votes)!

Rain of Rainjewelry's Silver Ocean Waves Necklace came in second with 16 public and 5 technical votes.

Earth Goddess Amulet by YorkAvenueStudio came in third with 7 public votes.

Thanks to all members who entered and your vote, great job everyone! Jennifer will set the theme for our May challenge. Our blog feature and giveaway will start around April 15th, please stay tuned!