PMC=FUN

I finally understand why so many people want to learn about this mysterious thing, Precious Metal Clay.  The year before last when I was first starting out with jewelry design, I traveled up to the Rockville area to take a class with wire.  There was a group hustling in to start their PMC class.  I thought, hmph….I’m not really interested in that.  I’ve seen PMC pieces everywhere but never thought it was something for me.  I’m not quite sure why.  Maybe because it required a kiln, or maybe because it involved, so I thought, some sort of sculpting.   The longer I’ve been making jewelry though, the more interested I have become in expanding my horizons and learning new techniques.  At some point early on this year, I finally became interested in learning more about PMC.  I contacted an instructor in Maryland who was able to get another Intro. class on the calendar in my area (see bead shop above).    I took that Intro. class this past weekend and had FUN.

Dawn Fernald-Spruill was one of those instructors you knew you would like immediately.  She just had that easy-going way about her that made you feel like you couldn’t possibly mess up what you were about to embark on.  We were all relaxed in no time, playing with the silver clay like it was play-doh.  Okay, I’ll admit we were all a bit nervous when it came to using the clay in the syringe form to create the bezel for the stone in the pendant.  We learned about texturizing, kiln and torch firing, and creating a patina for the finished piece.  One gal bought a finished cord in the bead shop just so she could walk out wearing her finished pendant.  I loved the immediate satisfaction!  Here are a few of the pendants that I made. 

I love that I can personalize the silver and create just whatever I want with it.  The sky’s the limit.   I would like to make a mother’s bracelet with the names of my 3 children on the links, pendants with inspirational words, toggle clasps, bead caps…………. I know, I know, ONE step at a time!