What's next?

Saturday is my final day at silver smithing class. I don't think I'll take it again right away. I have plenty of stuff to practice at now. I do have to buy a few things to make the home studio complete, but that will happen in time. When I'm ready to absorb more instruction I'll go back...and maybe I'll even sign up for a glass fusing class or that drawing class I never took.

Some of you know I've been giving a lot of time and effort as to what is next for me in the art/jewelry/metal world. Well, I think I've found it: PMC. Precious Metal Clay , that is. I haven't even touched the stuff yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll love it.

Here's why: It's pure glitter in a binder! It's basically silver dust ground and mixed so that it can be worked like clay, fired in the kiln and the binder melts away leaving a .999 fine silver, brass or real gold product. (That's more pure than sterling silver.)

I have so many designs I'd like to get on metal but so far money has been the main deterrent. In order to have just one of my drawings made into a steel stamp with which to deboss sheet sterling or copper, I'd have to pay about $100...and cut, file, solder, etc. the sheet metal. It's labor intensive and very expensive; two things I try to outrun (for you and myself). With the clay I'll be able to carve or push my designs into the clay, fire and have a finished piece in 30 minutes!

So basically anything I can make into a stamp, I can now design on silver. This means it's possible to cost effectively make custom designs in brass, silver or gold. One of the first major stamp projects I'm working on is to make little stamps of each letter of my script alphabet. Then I have tons of sketches to pick from.

Anyhow, if you'd like to see more about the process, check out the Lilly Ollo video link. I won't be buying their system yet, but you'll get an idea of what I'll be able to do, and why the custom stamps are going to be so cool to the process!

I had to exchange the kiln Cody got me for my birthday so that I'll be able to enamel and fire the PMC clay with greater ease; I needed a front door kiln. The new kiln is portable and it stays cool on the outside, even when it's an inferno inside. Turns out I'm buying it from a talented jewelry artist in AZ . We've worked out a trade/purchase that's going to be pretty sweet for both of us. My jewelry is going to be traded to cover the cost of shipping the kiln. Nice, huh?

You'll be hearing about all this as I work it out. I think it's going to be a great thing for everyone. I'll be able to make affordable, custom commissioned pieces, host creative classes at my place, or if anyone wants to host a silver-making party, I'll bring the gig to your house and work with you and several of your friends. The cool thing about this stuff is that you/your friends can take home the piece they create that same day. (As is the case with any jewelry show, there will be some sort of hostess plan.)

I think the coolest thing about any of this is that it will inspire and develop our God-given creativity. Sometimes there's this quiet gap between me and other people who refuse (no matter how much I counter) to see themselves as creative beings. The ease of the PMC medium, the use of pre-made stamps seem an obvious bridge between designing and creating. Imago Dei. It's undeniable; we are all creative by nature. Ready for what's next? I am.