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Metal Clay Category
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Karen's Vessel
Artist: Linda Stiles Smith (Dayton, OH)
Polly's Pick, Metal Clay
"Having worked with metal clay for several years, I became interested in learning more about metals, so I turned to my girlfriend Karen. She had some forms in copper that she had made using a press. While she would saw them out and solder them together I thought why not see what I could create using the same form as a mold? I rolled and pressed the clay to make two halves, then carefully put them together with more clay band paste. Since I really love the refining part of working with metal clay, coaxing the vessel into a finished shape was a labor of love that can't be measured in time.
"While not identical to her finished piece, my vessel from metal clay exhibits the texture of Karen's original mold. Adding handles with a coil of clay was much faster that forming and soldering wire done on the original. I have a hard time leaving any canvas blank, so I added some paper type cutouts along with a 'spray' of fine silver wires for leaves and a glass flower. The vessel was given an ancient aura with a patina of liver of sulfur. The vessel couldn't be hung from just any chain,so I hand forged the squiggles (what fun to ball up wire ends!) and connected them with jump rings. Since I am new to soldering, I chose half hard sterling silver wire so that it would be sturdy with a minimum of fuss. I love this vessel because it's something that was born from my friendship and a love for exploring the world of metal clay and metals." -- Linda Stiles Smith
Polly’s Picks are designs our editor especially likes despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.
View more 2009 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
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