To borrow from the rock and jazz music worlds, I love to “riff” on an idea or design. Sometimes, my ideas for a series are thought out ahead of time, but often, a new piece will be so exciting, I’ll start making another… and another… with variations almost before completing the first one! Not only do I get to explore design concepts and perfect the construction techniques required, but I also end up with a ready supply of miniature elements for “Necklace-a-day” pendants, charm bracelets, and earrings that are related in theme. Whether you decide to create a village of castles and huts of your own, or riff on another design, this article will help you to begin to work in series.
SUPPLIES
- Fine-silver metal clay:
- Lump clay: 25–50 g
- 1 syringe
- Gold metal clay: 1–2 g
- Assorted doming forms
- Plastic sanding needles and sanding papers
- Liver of sulfur
- Distilled water
- Nail polish
- Small sponge
- Small bowl
INSTRUCTIONS
The key to streamlining the construction process is that each charm has essentially the same four elements: walls, roof, floor, and bail. Work your way through the steps to create multiple walls at a time, then multiple roofs, etc. The secret to keeping the charms distinct and original is to mix up dimensions, textures, and forms. Vary the height or diameter of the walls, the slope of the roofs, the number and placement of doors and windows, etc. By the time you finish your series, you’ll have a firm grasp on the technical process of texturing, cutting, molding, forming, and assembling — all the benefits of a repetitive sequence, without a series of identical pieces.