Weekend Wishlist – Gilder’s Paste {the homespun life: handmade jewelry}

I know it’s been months since I had anything new to show you guys in the realm of metal clay jewelry. Believe me, I miss it! I’m still working on the massive studio unpack project of 2011, but I can’t wait to get back in there and get some clay under my fingernails!

Meantime, I’m positively itching to try this stuff out:

It’s called Gilder’s Paste, and it looks unbelievably cool! While I absolutely love the intense and unforgiving process of enamel, there are times that I want a quicker result or a more “rustic” look. This stuff looks like it might provide exactly that! I absolutely love the texture and the old-world feel. Check out the products page for some amazing images from artist Lorena Angulo – I can’t get over that gorgeous rose ring!

Metal Clay: Firing – What the Heck is a Sinter?

I can’t even begin to count the number of times I encounter a new metal clay artist struggling with the concept of firing. It’s not surprising, considering that almost every formula of metal clay lists a different firing schedule. The most recent formulas even promise results via torch firing, which is fantastic, but  adds greatly to the chaos. 1290 for 10 minutes? 1110 for 30? Which one is right?

The problem is that to be able to choose the right firing schedule you have to understand the concept of sintering, and unfortunately most metal clay books and classes fail to mention it.