I Always Follow the Same Steps…
When I’m making a new design, my attention is on getting it just right… But my sneaky daughter-in-law took a photo with her phone while I was working on a bunny design. So I thought…well, why not share the design process with some of my favorite people. This means YOU!
I always start out with a lump of clay. There’s no particular reason why I use grey clay. But it is easy for me to see what I’m working on with this color. And since it will first be cast in sterling silver (usually) it kind of gives me a hint of what the finished piece will look like. Better than using orange clay. Or pink. And black would be too dark to see where to put all the detail.
So with this Netherland dwarf rabbit design, the first thing I did was put up several photos of the real thing on my computer screen to inspire myself! Cute little bunny, isn’t it?
How I Make my Designs:
- I decide what I want to make and find some good photos
- I mix the clay til it’s fairly soft and easy to work with
- I start forming the animal in the clay. This is the fun and also the frustrating part of designing… I can’t tell you how many false starts I have for every one design I actually finish! Probably 2 or 3 failures for every completed design.
- I am really a “sculptor in miniature.” Every little design is formed by hand, then every little detail is added using an exacto knife (or other hand tool.)
- Once I feel like I’ve “got it” the design is cured in my convection oven
- The piece is cooled completely. But I am still far from done!
- The design is finished on the front, but the back has to be smoothed next. I use something called a “Foredom tool” for this. It’s kind of a dentist’s drill for jewelry artists. No kidding! Many of the attachments would look very familiar to your family dentist. And the sound would be familiar, too.
- I’m constantly measuring the thickness of the piece so I don’t make it too thin or too thick. The whole process with the Foredom tool can take many hours. Finally, the back is as smooth as I can get it, and this will make the finished piece lighter as well.
- Now I “sign” the piece with a tiny bit of clay smoothed on the back. If you look carefully at the back of your Magic Zoo design, you’ll probably see a tiny “mz” somewhere for “The Magic Zoo.”
- Back in the oven to cure this new, tiny piece of clay on the back of my finished piece
- Off to my caster!
So that is my “cliff notes” version of how I make my jewelry designs. Is it what you expected? I’m curious to hear!
And yes, this very cute bunny will soon be appearing on my website. It is at the caster’s right now! It will probably be about a month til it makes its debut.
Your animal loving artist,
Merry
This was very interesting! Thanks for sharing. I’m always interested seeing the process behind the craft and I can’t wait to add a new bunny to my bracelet!!!
Thank you, Julie! And this little bunny will be on his/her way soon!
For many of us who have lost loved ones this past year, please consider making a line of i miss you, you were my love, always my friend etc. I have searched for a place to have my husband’s wedding ring made into an infinity ring. Or an infinity necklace with his name on it. So sorry to learn of your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting you both at a rabbit show. Hang in there, we need you!
Hi Sharon, I am so sorry for your loss as well. The idea of “i miss you” jewelry is a lovely one, but I’m afraid I am committed to being an animal themed jewelry artist. I do hope someone fulfills that much needed niche, though. – Merry
This is a great post, Merry! Always fun to see how things are made. Altho its actually pretty close to what I expected (minus all the specific details dealing with jewelry), I’m sure it will surprise some people, especially ones who don’t make anything by hand themselves. I do dry needle felting items for my etsy shop (and sometimes myself, and friends, etc), and have had comments from my friends ranging from “You’re kidding!” to one friend telling me her husband doesn’t believe I make my items myself, even tho I sent her photos of each step as I did it, for something I was working on. So I guess some people just think everything is done by machine, or comes from another country. I say “Long Live Handmade” and thank all those who support our efforts. Thanks for posting your process!
Lois, I remember your etsy shop…it is so delightful! It is funny how some people don’t realize that art can be made by actual human hands. I am so glad you do what you do.