The Precious Metal Clay (PMC) Process: Bronze

I used Hadar's Clay which is bronze in powder form (also available in copper).

Just out of the kiln.


Scrubbed with a metal brush.

Filed, burnished, patinated and polished. Finished off with copper jump ring and chocolate-colored silicone cord.

More sheep, more chocolate-makers

A few months ago, I started working with precious metal clay (PMC) and, at the same time, learning metalsmithing. While working with metal sheet seemed difficult because of the drilling, sawing and soldering involved, I was finding PMC more challenging because it would dry out before I was satisfied with the result.

So, I started working with polymer clay, testing designs on it before trying them on PMC. Unfortunately, polymer by itself is not very interesting and -- not wanting to just discard the tests -- I thought of finishing them just like Tamara of blockpartypress had been showing on her blog.

Silver, copper and bronze clay pendants headed for the kiln.


Pieces in polymer inspired by Tamara's work. However, I only do fine-fleeced friends and chocolate-makers.


Here's a clay rendition of another of my dad's drawing of the chocolate-maker.

JumpSheep pendants make it to knitty.com

See under Cool Stuff! here.

My dad's drawing

The drawing was done in the 1980s for me to make an ex libris rubber stamp. My name used to be underneath the frame. I reduced the size to 1" x 1.5" and had the rubber stamp made to make silver pendants using Precious Metal Clay. Here is the result. It's a woman in a Philippine 1800s dress frothing Spanish-style chocolate in a tsokolatera with what we call a batidor. The chocolate is served in demitasses because it's thick.

Handmade Mart, Silver Spring, MD last Sunday

Strip-Cut Construction in Glass

Layout on paper.

Pattern bars surrounded with strips of glass in pink striker color. The piece is dammed and fired in the kiln.

The strips of glass strikes into a deep cranberry color.

I'm a vendor at Handmade Mart, Silver Spring, MD

The outdoor market will take place on May 31, Sunday. Q&A with JumpSheep at the Handmade Mart blog here.What is your craft all about?
I make glass jewelry and plates for fiber lovers. I also produce wool batts and bumps for spinning and felting, as well as handspun yarn and handdyed yarn for knitting.
What inspires you to make what you make?
For my jewelry, I draw inspiration from the passion of fiber lovers; that's why I choose to work with images (in silver or copper) of furry animals. For my plates, I look to the works of quilters; I translate their quilt design into glass.
What is your favorite piece/product you will have with you at the Handmade Mart?
Glass and silver pendants with the sheep's silhouette. I have the Black Sheep made of glass and copper, and the Sheep in Pasture made of glass and silver.
Where can folks find your craft outside the Handmade Mart?
My etsy store: jumpsheep.etsy.com.
Find me at booth #30!