When I signed up for the Five Star White Bronze Clay Necklace Class, I underestimated every benefit. By serious count, there are three strong reasons why this necklace was amazing:
- Learn about Five Star white bronze clay by making a necklace
- Move past my finishing fear
- Get “between the lines tips” from a pro
Many artists look to metal clay and fine silver metal clay as a way to cut the total cost of jewelry pieces, a serious benefit when making components by hand. With one such class to my credit, more questions than answers, a love of bronze and a desire to learn, I enrolled in a Tucson class by Carrie Story, founder of Clay Revolution.
Learn about Five Star white bronze clay
Six of us lined up around a table to experiment with Five Star white bronze clay. Carrie’s short and informative discussion of its properties and ease of application drew us in. Within minutes we were rolling, stamping, texturizing and rehydrating our clay. It was fun.
“Think non-threatening, as in recess,” I reminded myself. It worked. After the first few trials, we fell into a rhythm. The white bronze clay was soft and easy to manipulate. Roll. Stamp or texturize. Cut. Rehydrate. Make more charms.
Throughout the process, Carrie answered questions, kept a watchful eye on our progress , made suggestions and shared her enthusiasm for the product which she invented after experimenting with other clays on the market.
Move past fear of finishing
© 2018, Mary Ellen Merrigan, Five Star White Bronze Clay
The class, presented in two segments, included 100g of Five Star white bronze clay. During session one we prepared our pieces, an average of 15 to 20, or more, per person. Carrie fired our work overnight in her kiln, after she discussed sintering, (the fusing together of metal particles) and how white bronze clay differs from other metals. The next morning, we began the process of brushing and polishing, a process I’ve avoided because of finishing fear.
No fear allowed in Carrie’s class. No indeed. Remember those 15-20 pieces per person? We used a wire brush to knock off the grunge. Then, it was six different grits on the polishing wheel. (Another way to look at it: think five minutes per grit, or approximately 30-minutes per charm.)
The beauty of the process is that time enough passed for me to get over my finishing fear. Instead of resisting the file, I leaned into it. Enjoyed? Maybe not quite, but I certainly wanted the end result so I kept at it.
Get the “between the lines tips” from a pro
It helped that Carrie laughed easily and encouraged each of us to break one of her completed pieces so we could understand the fragility of Five Star white bronze clay that had just been fired.
© 2018, Mary Ellen Merrigan, Instructor Carrie Story demonstrates Five Star White Bronze Clay
Participants felt comfortable talking about everything from kilns and drying times, to designs and shows. An informal camaraderie characterized both days of class. When I looked at my notes, I was amazed at factoids I collected. (Carrie Story talked with me last year: Boost Artistic Creativity with 5 Sincere Tips.)
All of us left knowing more about Five Star White Bronze Clay. Prior to this experience, I’d avoided finishing, filing and detail work of all kinds. Imagine my pride as I finalized my pieces and added their crystals with a sense of near-reverence for my polished accomplishment.
As a metal clay newbie, I experienced a new world of possibility in hours, thanks to the graciousness and consideration of Carrie Story. My go-to new medium is Five Star White Bronze Clay! Have you tried this amazing product?