Download - Metal Clay Today

Winter 2012 

FREE EDITION 

The amazing Christi Anderson

Benefits of Membership Include: 

• Newsletters packed with metal 

clay tricks, tips, and techniques 

• Gallery space online for each 

member to showcase their work 

• Members-only discounts on metal 

clay products 

• Discounted registration for Metal 

Clay World Conference 

• Opportunity to be featured in the 

Art Clay Society Newsletter or 

on the Art Clay Society website 

• Free downloadable tutorials and 

other online resources 

• Opportunity to link to your personal 

or business website from the Art 

Clay Society website 

• Participation in any Local Chapter 

• Access to information and printouts 

to assist with classes or 

demonstrations 

• An online forum community 

dedicated to metal clay 

Art Clay Society is a community of metal clay artists 

designed to foster artistic, business, and personal 

growth through inspiration, education and communication. 

Our Purpose is to encourage, maintain, and further the highest 

standards of technical and educational excellence in metal clay; 

to serve as a resource for all metal clay artists; to promote and 

support public awareness, acceptance, and enjoyment of metal 

clay; to organize and assist in the establishment and maintenance 

of community Art Clay Chapters worldwide; to foster communication 

amongst and between Art Clay Society Chapters and individual 

members; and to provide education, marketing, and business 

support to area Chapters and their Chapter Leaders 

• Endless inspiration, collaboration, 

and information 

866.381.0100 

www.ArtClaySociety.com 

2 MetalClayToday.com • Winter 2012

Publisher’s Notepad 

Hello fellow Claymates... 

Happy New Year! 

By now most of you have heard the news. We are ecstatic that 

Gordon Uyehara and Candace Gates of Dynasty Stamps agreed to fuse their 

creativity to create the Gordon Uyehara limited edition texture stamp. This 

wonderful stamp is only available to Metal Clay Today Premier Subscribers. 

Don’t worry if you only subscribe to the Free Edition. We promise we’ll try hard to 

bring you lots of valuable information as well. However, if you want to see all of 

the great articles, tutorials and step-by-steps, you will have to become a Premier 

Subscriber, or purchase each edition individually. If you do decide to become a 

Premier Subscriber, you’ll receive the Gordon Uyehara limited edition texture 

stamp as our way of saying ‘Thank You’. Regardless, if you subscribe to the 

Free Edition, purchase each e-magazine as it becomes available, or become a 

Premier Subscriber, we appreciate you. 

Mark your calendar. The 2012 Challenges promise to be a lot of fun. We’ve 

included the whole list in this edition so you can plan which one you’ll want to 

enter. With each Challenge we try to offer new and interesting prizes. First Place 

prize in the current challenge includes 50 grams of the new Sterling Silver clay 

and more wonderful texture stamps from Dynasty. Second Place is a selection 

of the new Metal Mania clays from West of the Moon. Arli, Lori and I had the 

pleasure of testing them out and really enjoyed working with them. 

Speaking of calendars, did you get your copy of The Art and Design of Metal Clay 

Jewelry 2012 calendar by Holly Gage? The winner of the Viewer’s Choice in the 

Chains, Links, and other Connectors Challenge will be receiving one. 

Another feature we hope you’ll visit is the Instructors Directory. It is a free feature 

which allows metal clay instructors and students to find each other. Statistically 

speaking, we know that this is one of the more popular features of the website, so 

why wait to sign up or look for an instructor in your neighborhood? 

Until next time, I remain Clayfully Yours, 

Tes Shea 

Co-Publisher, 

Webmaster/Editor 

Metal Clay Today 

Winter 2012 • MetalClayToday.com 3

Winter 2012 

Volume 4, Issue 1 

Featured Artist 

6 Christi Anderson 

Rising Star 

12 Candace Steppes 

Photographing Jewelry 

Steve Rossman 

18 A Photoshop Elements Primer 

Sharing the Journey 

Wanaree Tanner 

33 ‘Fion McCumhil’ comes to life 

Sharing the Expertise 

Michela Verani 

44 Johnny Jump-Up Flocked Pendant 


Louise Shadonix 

48 Coconut Bark Watch 


Jen Bethman 

56 Just in time for Valentine’s Day 


See the entries and meet the winners 

of Metal Clay Today’s 

Features 

COMING 

Challenge 

68 

41 Gallery 

52 Tips ‘N Tricks 

54 Instructors Directory 

62 Guest Blog 

64 Trends - Good Girls Gone Wild 

66 Best of the Blogs 

67 Book Review 

74 Challenge – 

76 Guilds 

79 Advertise in 

C H AI N S 

LINKS, AND OTHER CONNECTORS 

Subscribers are free to print this magazine for 

their own use or share with family and friends. 

The intellectual property and photos of the artists are copyright protected. 



by Tes Shea 

Anderson 

Double 

Padlock Heart 

Delightfully charming, 

Christi is a 

woman of many talents 

Christi has done many remarkable things in her career, 

but possible one of the most impressive to date is being 

selected as a Saul Bell Finalist times two in the Metal Clay 

Category for 2011. In other words, of the five pieces which 

made it to the finals in that category, two of them were hers. 

This prestigious annual contest, sponsored by Rio Grande, invites jewelry artists of 

every medium to show-off their very best creations. Like our own Challenges, the Saul 

Bell Contest is a “Blind Contest”. The judges do not know whose piece belongs to whom. 

I don’t know if having two pieces making it into the finals is a record, but it’s certainly 

something special! The results will be announced this Spring. 


Fairy Cottage 

Arli, Lori and I met Christi at 

the Pasadena Bead and Button 

Show. Arli and I had wandered 

about looking for great chain, 

when Lori came up to us and 

excitedly announced that she 

had found our next Featured 

Artist! Of course, we had to see 

who it was that had captured 

Lori’s attention. We discovered 

two very charming and energetic 

women, Christi and her mother, 

manning a very quaint booth with 

some of the most remarkable 

birdhouse pendants and metal 

clay creations. 

Note to Lori...next time take a picture! 

We asked her to consent to being a 

Featured Artist right then and there. 

Gatehouse Heart 

We were thrilled when Christi said yes. 

Recently, I got to spend an hour getting 

to know Christi a little bit better, and just had a wonderful time. So thank you Christi for 

spending time with me and giving all of us a glimpse into your world. 

Christi is a self-taught metal clay artist. Originally she did a lot of beaded jewelry. Living 

a semi-nomadic lifestyle, she found it an easy art form to do and take with her during the 

moves. It was while living in Iowa, she thought she’d take up glass bead making. 



Unfortunately, it was an art form which was potentially hazardous to her beautiful 

feathered friends which reside in an aviary in her studio. So she opted to find wonderful 

glass artists, like Kerri Fuhr (www.kerrifuhr.com) to satisfy her glass cravings, and looked 

around for something else to fulfill her personal artistic quest. That’s when she discovered 

metal clay. 

Christi’s work is definitely influenced 

by both architecture and nature. Her 

pieces often combine building shapes 

with working mechanisms which are 

surrounded by beautiful nature scenes. 

One look and you are drawn into the 

story. You can almost hear the birds 

singing. There are even pieces which 

have their own story tales to go along 

with them! 

Living in the mid-west there weren’t 

teachers close by and the classes that 

were available were pricey as well as 

long distance. So, she did a comparison, 

buy a kiln or travel for a class. She opted 

to buy a kiln. She purchased her clay 

online and did her research at the local 

library and bookstores. It was about six 

months and $300.00 in clay before she 

felt she had a piece worthy to be sold. 

Finally her skills had caught up to her 

imagination. 

Sparrow Shack 

Like most metal clay artists, Christi did 

have some formal art training. She is an 

illustrator and photograper. In fact, she 

made her living as a photographer while 

living in Pheonix, Arizona. 

It was at this point in our conversation that I learned about the depth of Christi’s 

compassion. I’m sure you have heard of Hospice. The wonderful organization that 

comforts the serious ill and helps them find an oasis of peace during their final moments 

with dignity and honor. 


It was in one of those awe-ful moments that Christi discovered a need that was going 

unmet. Christi’s sister experienced the loss of a newborn at two hours of age. There 

was no one available to document the life of this precious little one. It was the catalyst 

that began Christi’s photographic pro-bono work of helping these families at the 

Hospice of the Valley, the Wellness Community and Pheonix Children’s Hospital. 

I think it’s safe to say that Christi’s world revolves around her family, her feathered 

friends and her creative endeavors. We talked at great length about her wonderfully 

quirky and talented family. Christi and her husband are the proud parents of three 

children. Each one is talented 

in their own way, but I think the 

thing that ties them together best 

is their sense of humor! 

While Christi’s family is both 

gregarious and multi-talented, 

they value their privacy. So as 

much as I would like to tell you 

more about them, you’ll just have 

to wait til she writes her memoirs. 

I learned a lesson about teaching from Christi... something to consider if you are an artist 

like Christi, whose work is decidedly different from any other artist. She has her students 

sign a document stating they will not copy her creations and present them as their own. 


The popularity of Christi’s creations have brought her to an interesting dilema. How to 

keep up with the demand? Her solution, while not necessarily her favorite, has been to 

become a production artist. Meaning, she is the designer and a manufacturer creates 

the pieces in sterling silver. 

You may be wondering ‘what’s next’? Christi will be continuing her work with architecture, 

nature and storytelling. Currently, she is working on a series of Fairytale books and 

finely detailed Fairy Houses. 

You can discover more about Christi by visiting 

www.elementaladornments.com 

Christi Anderson 

I was an illustration major who became a fine art black and white 

photographer. My specialty was children. I also did work for Pheonix 

Children’s Hospital, Hospice of the Valley and the Wellness 

Community. On the side I was doing pro-bono work for the parents 

of terminally ill children. It was heartbreaking so when my seminomadic 

husband moved us for the 4th time in 3 years, I knew I 

needed a change. I had enjoyed making jewelry as a hobby and 

often spent a fortune on stones and silver. In 2005, we were living 

in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I am originally from Scottsdale, Arizona so 

there was a climate change to overcome. As I spent 7 months in 

my warm studio, I decided to learn some new techniques. There weren’t any classes for miles 

so I bought supplies online and took every book my local library had available. For 6 months I 

experimented and finally had something I could sell to recoup the silver costs. I rented a booth 

at a local bead show. That brought the encouragement I needed to keep going. I decided I didn’t 

want to work with other artists so my work would truly be my own. 

I believe my current work is a culmination of all my experiences. I’m able to take the photographs 

and illustrations I’ve created through the years and build a 3D version of it with my silver! I have 

found my medium. My personal style is to combine nature and architechture together with 

moving features like opening doors and windows, locks, keys, latches and hinges. Intricately 

detailed story locks and boxes have become my passion. I still enjoy creating the product line 

that established my place in the jewelry community... my birdhouse pendants with opening 

tops and doors. I am working on a line of books with Fairytale themes and finely detailed Fairy 

houses. I sell my work under the name Elemental Adornments. 

Awards 

2011 Best of Show SAACA Art in the Park 

2010 Bead Dreams 1st Place 

2010 Finalist Saul Bell Award 

2009 Bead Dreams 1st Place 

2009 Best of Show Oro Valley Art Show 

Publications 

October 2011 PMC Annual Guild Book 

September 2011 Art Jewelry Article 

June 2011 New Directions Catalog 

March 2010 Stringing Magazine 

July 2009 Mixed Metals Book 

June 2009 Belle Armoire Jewelry Article 


Become a 

Premier 

Subscriber! 

Subscribe today to Metal Clay Today’s 

online E-Magazine to receive the 

Gordon Uyehara limited edition texture stamp 

Created by Dynasty Creative Art Studios, it is a $12.00 value, measuring 4” W x 3.25” L 

and is available only to Metal Clay Today Premier Subscribers. 

Metal Clay Today is available 4 times a year, 

January, April, July and October and is available online only. 

Not ready to become a Premier Subscriber... 

you can order each edition separately for $4.95 or continue to receive the free edition. 

You won’t be able to read all the wonderful step-by-steps, 

but there’s still lots of interesting content for you enjoy. 

Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of your Gordon Uyehara limited edition texture stamp, 

including international mail service. 

New to Metal Clay Today and want to just check us out? 

Visit http://www.metalclaytoday.com/OrderYrMCT.html and make your selection. 


Rising Star 

Candace 

Steppes 

Photograph by Jethro White 

Being raised as part of a “do-it-yourself” type family 

has always taught me to be hands on with things 

around me. I learned at an early age how to use 

tools and work with my hands. These skills and love 

of tools has somehow managed to bring me to the path of jewelry 

making. 

Captured Dreams 

Rough cut apatite gemstone 

fired in place loose in cage 

Enjoy the complete article in 

Metal Clay Today’s Premier Edition 

available by subscription at 

http://www.metalclaytoday.com/OrderYrMCT.html 



Metal Clay Today is devoted to giving 

recognition, encouragement and a voice 

to the many gifted artisans, teachers and 

enthusiasts in the metal clay world. 

Published quarterly as an 

online-only e-zine. 

Ideas for articles, tutorials, step-by-step 

guides and other items of interest to the 

Metal Clay Community should be sent to 

editor@metalclaytoday.com. 

For writers’ guidelines, visit www. 

metalclaytoday.com/contributing_artists.php 

Dynasty Creative 

Arts Studio 

A warm, inspiring and relaxing environment 

where you can design and create your own 

one-of-a-kind jewelry designs. 

Novice to advanced, individual instruction to 

group classes and private parties. 

• Hand blown lamp work beads, 

• Precious and semi-precious stones 

• Chains, Accessories & Tools 

• Unique hand-made jewelry 

works of arts with emphasis on 

local and national artists 

Visit, learn and make new 

friends. From one-of-a-kind 

jewelry designs, to unique 

components for jewelry arts... 

Dynasty 

is the destination. 

27134B Paseo Espada, # 201 

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 

Studio Phone: 949.240.1800 

studio@dynastycreativearts.com 

Payment is made in the form of goodwill, 

advertisement and a “Virtual Certificate” 

as a Contributing Artist. This Certificate is 

suitable for use in all your marketing efforts. 

As a contributing artist, you will receive a free 

quarter-page ad for one year in the magazine. 

Your artist’s bio, along with a photo and any 

other information you provide, will be included 

on the website with a link back to your store, 

blog or other online location. 

Advertising rates and schedules 

are available at 

www.metalclaytoday.com/advertise.php 

Privacy Policy is available to view at www. 

metalclaytoday.com/privacy_policy.html 

Copyright©2011 Metal Clay Today 

All Rights Reserved 

Subscribers of Metal Clay Today are 

encouraged to read, reproduce and use 

the materials contained within the pages 

of each edition. Copyright law pertaining to 

the reproduction of other artists‘ creative 

property continue to apply. 

If in doubt, please ask the artist directly 

for permission. 

For more information contact 

editor@metalclaytoday.com 

or call 619-723-8495. 

Metal Clay Today 

6716 So. 49th St. 

Omaha, NE 68117 


Fine Silver by Christi Anderson 

Come see 

New Award 

Winning 

Work! 

Pueblo Gem 

Show at 

e 

Riverpark Inn 

Court Pavilion 

Booth 58 

Jan.28 - 

Feb.9, 2012 


Steve Rossman’s 

A Quick and 

Dirty Primer 

for using 

Adobe Photoshop Elements 

Photoshop CS5 and Photoshop Elements 10 are both powerful programs that allow 

digital photographers to correct and manipulate their images after in-camera shooting 

has been accomplished. Although Elements was designed to be an easier alternative 

for less experienced photographers, both programs can be intimidating...and frankly, 

Photoshop’s learning curve is enormous. 

A quick story: after having worked (albeit self-taught) with Photoshop for about 15 years, I 

regularly joked to friends that my knowledge of the program was “a mile wide and an inch 

deep.” Then, five years ago, I attended a workshop with a true Photoshop master (the 

amazing and talented Maggie Taylor, whose work can be seen at www.maggietaylor.com). 

When I returned home from the weekend workshop, I revised the oft-used description of 

my photoshop prowess downward... now my knowledge was “four feet wide and a quarter 

inch deep.” This may seem self-deprecating, but the truth is that for much of my work, 

there are a finite number of tools and techniques I use on a day-to-day basis to polish my 

images. And that’s very good news for jewelry artists who want to improve photo quality 

when shooting their work. If there really are only a few tools and operations that can solve 

the majority of your photographic problems, then the learning curve doesn’t need to be 

nearly so steep. 








‘Fion McCumhil’ 

WanareeTanner 

created this beautiful copper bracelet... 

and also created this wonderful layout for Metal Clay Today. 






Heart to Heart 

Linked Earrings 

by Jen Bethmann 

Materials: 

10g Art Clay Silver 

Art Clay Silver Syringe 

Olive oil 

Non-stick surface 

Snake roller 

Craft knife 

Damp paper towel 

Small paintbrush 

Water 

Fine-tipped tweezers 

.999 Fine Silver Eye Screw 

Drying apparatus 

(i.e. candle warmer 

or dehydrator) 

Sanding materials 600grit+ 

Small files 

Kiln or butane torch 

Firing brick 

Brass or stainless steel brush 

Tumbler with stainless steel shot 

1 pair of ear wires 

Snake rolling is a technique that I often utilize for many of my metal clay projects. 

The technique is great for making rings and creating coils 

such as the ones featured in this project. 

I hope you enjoy these fun and funky earrings. 

They will make a wonderful addition to Valentine’s Day. 


1. Condition all tools and hands with olive oil to prevent sticking and moisture transfer. 

2. With a snake roller or small flat surface, roll out a long rope 

of clay with a 1.5mm diameter. Cut the clay rope to a 6” length 

with a craft knife. Remove remaining clay and cover with a damp 

paper towel to maintain moisture. 

4. Pinch the clay 

rope at the half-way 

mark. Place the pinched clay on the 

bottom point of the heart. Lay the clay rope over pattern following 

the design of the heart. The clay should look like a “V”. Be sure to 

keep the clay moist as you work. Frequently brush the clay with a 

damp paint brush or spray lightly with a water-filled atomizer to keep 

clay hydrated. 

5. Beginning with one end, coil the 

clay until it fits into the heart pattern. 

Repeat with the other end. The two 

curves should touch but not be pasted 

together. 

3. Place heart pattern #1 under a semitransparent 

non-stick work surface. Lay clay 

rope on the non-stick work surface then taper 

each end. 

6. Use a fine-tipped tweezers to insert a fine silver eye screw 

into the top right curve of the heart. Make sure that the clay 

comes up and over the bottom edge of the eye screw’s 

circle. This action will accommodate for the clay’s shrinkage 

during drying and firing. Dry piece on a candle warmer or in a 

dehydrator until bone-dry. 


7. Repeat steps 3-6 for second earring. Earring pairs are often mirror images of each other. 

Keep in mind to insert the second eye screw into the opposite, left, curve of the heart. 

8. Roll out a 1.5mm diameter rope of clay. Cut the clay rope to a 

3” length with a craft knife. Place remaining clay aside and cover 

with a damp paper towel to maintain 

moisture. 

9. Repeat step 5 using 

heart pattern #2 for 

smaller heart links. Dry 

completely. 

10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 three more times to complete four small 

heart links. 

11. File or sand away all sharp edges on each heart link. 

Be sure that the eye screw is 

completely embedded into the clay. 

12. Fire the clay to 1200º for at least 30 minutes, or torch-fire for 

3-4 minutes at a peachy glow (do not begin timing the torch-fire 

until the piece is peachy-glowing). Crash cool each heart link. 

13. Burnish each link with a brass or stainless steel brush or 

tumble links in stainless steel buck shot for at least 2 hours. 

14. Join heart links by sliding them together at the open space between the curves. 


15. Attach ear-wires to 

eye screws and enjoy!! 

Tip: 

I used Art Clay Silver 650 for 

this project. 

If you are worried about the clay 

drying too quickly, I recommend 

using a slow dry formula for a 

longer working time. 

Jen Bethmann is an Art Clay Senior Certifying Instructor who discovered metal clay via the 

theatre. She works at Art Clay World USA headquarters and is the 

Art Clay Society Membership Coordinator. 

Art has always been integral in her life in one shape or form. She 

enjoys getting her hands “creatively” dirty and her art often comes 

from what she is thinking and feeling at the moment... an idea or 

image that strikes her. 

She admits that there is not always a lot of pre-planning involved. 

She lets her hands and heart do the talking. She finds delight in 

the ‘discovery’ process as she continues to learn and teach other 

about metal clays. 

You can find out more about her classes and projects at 

www.jennibelledesigns.com. 


Flocked 

Johnny 

Jump-Up 

Pendant 

by Michela Verani 

While working on pieces for the Master’s Registry, flocking was suggested to add color to a 

piece. As a gardener, the first thing I thought of was flowers, with Johnny Jumpups being a 

particular favorite of mine. Flocking adds an unexpected dimension to a piece of jewelry, 

so try it and see what else you can think of to use flocking on. 

Enjoy the complete tutorial in 





Coconut 

Bark Watch 

by Louise Shadonix 

Intermediate Project 

Imagine my delight, when stepping out of a friend’s house 

after helping her build her jewelry website, 

to find this Coconut Palm tree bark sticking out of her trash bin! 

It was plainly calling my name. 

I immediately found a special place for it in the trunk of my car 

and my head started to turn! 

This was the first thing that I had to make. 

Enjoy the complete tutorial in 





Designs by Glenda Skarie 

Fine Art Jewelry 

and Instructions 

gskarie@adorilargento.com 

www.adorilargento.com 

954-243-4536 


Don’t miss your favorite features in 


Subscribe today at 


Tips ‘N Tricks 

Kiln-Firing 

Art Clay Copper 

with Fiber Blanket 

Gallery 

Joy Funnell 

Gabrielle Lesard 

Dottie Arnao 

Beatrice Batt Behar

Trends, Forecasts & Predictions 

I Love 

Good Girls Gone Wild! 

Book Review 

magical metal 

clay jewelry 

Blo g 

Best of the Blogs 

Travels Around 

the Web

Metal Clay Instructors Directory 

Did you know there is a place at Metal Clay Today where you can find an Metal Clay 

Instructor in your neighborhood? Would you like to be listed as an Instructor? 

Visit Metal Clay Today’s website, click on the ‘Find an Instructor’ button to go to 

http://www.metalclaytoday.com/instructors_directory.php 

America 

Arizona 

Donna Lewis - Scottsdale, AZ 

California 

Jonna Faulkner - Escondido, CA 

Cindy Pankopf - Fullerton, CA 

Carrie Story - Long Beach, CA 

Loreene Baum-Davis - Placerville, CA 

Christine Ogata - Vacaville, CA 

Colorado 

Yvonne Kuennen - Breckenridge, CO 

Conneticut 

Lisel Crowley - Windsor, CT 

Florida 

Bernadette Denoux - Miami, FL 

Linda Kline - Verona Beach, FL 

Colleen White - Bradenton, FL 

Iowa 

Ruth Schroeder - Council Bluffs, IA 

Maine 

Lisa Salsbury - Ellsworth, ME 

Michigan 

Nancy Garber - Brighton, MI 

Christine Grimm - Grand Haven, MI 

Colleen Wilson - Riverview, MI 

Minnesota 

Ann Phillippi - St. Paul, MN 

New Hampshire 

Gail Moriarty - Nashua, NH 

Michela Verani - Londonderry, NH 

New York 

Alicia Fink - Brockport, NY 

Ohio 

Trish Jeffers-Zeh - Waynesville, OH 

Linda Stiles Smith - Dayton, OH 

Pennsylvania 

Christy Miller - Thornton, PA 

Carol Scheftic - Pittsburgh, PA 

Holly Gage - West Chester, PA 

Texas 

Paula Beckett - Plano, TX 

Barbara Reeves - Carrollton, TX 

Judi Weer - San Antonio, TX 

Washington 

Ruth Greening - Olympia, WA 

Cindy Morris - Spokane, WA 

Canada 

Liz McDonald - Vancouver, BC 

Jocelyne Robertson - Terrebonne, Quebec 

Carrie Steele - Sherwood Park, Alberta 

Europe 

Cyprus 

Meropi Toumbas - Lakatamia, Nicosia 

France 

Lozachris - Bayonne, Pyrenees-Atlantiques 

KENJI - Paris 

Germany 

Susan Diana Wilson - Hamburg 

Greece 

SiaCorrina Durocher - Athens 

United Kingdom 

Julia Rai - St. Austell, Cornwall, London 

Tracey Spurgin - East Yorkshire 

Joy Funnell - Hastings, East Sussex 

Denise Lawn - Leeds, West Yorkshire 

Debbie Carlton - London 

Liz Pearson - London 

Larissa Johnson - Reading, Berkshire 

Lynn Glazzard - Whitby 


“R“ Designs 

Unique designs in Jewelry 

Classes in metal clays, Art Clay certification (both 

Level 1 & Offering Senior level) certification and cross-over classes certification for 

PMC certified artisans in Art are Clay offered Silver at Stan and Ann’s 

studio, in the as San well as Diego other area classes. 

Each class limited to 6 students. 

Contact Stan and Ann Rosier for more information. 

For additional class information or to request a technique/project 

ann_stanrosier@yahoo.com 

to be taught, please email us at 

ann_stanrosier@yahoo.com 

619-578-2075 

Level I Certification 

A 24 hour, intensive workshop to develop the students’ skills in working with Art Clay 

silver. Although it is optimum to do this in 3 successive days, we can work with students to 

break it up into parts, as long as work is completed within a 30 day window. The benefit of 

achieving a Level I certification is that each successful student earns a 35% DISCOUNT 

with ArtClay World. 

Dates to be determined 

Senior Level Certification 

A 32 hour, intensive workshop to further develop the skills of Level I students. Students 

must be a Level I for 6 months before being eligible to take this class. Class can be broken 

into 2 weekends, as long as work is completed within a 30 day window. After workshop is 

completed, each student must create 3 strictly defined projects which will be sent to Art Clay 

World to be juried. If successful, the student will achieve Senior status, gaining a higher 

discount with ArtClay World, and be approved to teach certification classes. 


Crossover Certification 

(to be eligible, applicants must already be Certified PMC Rio Level 1 or Certified PMC Connections Level 2) 

One 8 hour day concentrating on good finishing techniques. If required projects are 

not completed during the 8 hours, the student will have no more than 30 days from day 

of class to present to instructor. The benefit of this Crossover Certification is that the 

successful student will be regarded as a Level I instructor with Art Clay World and receive 

all benefits of a Level I. 



A great suggestion from one of our contributors! 

To paraphrase Lesley Messam: 

“The background of a photograph should not be so distracting 

as to diminish the beauty of the piece being judged.” 


Everything you’ll want to know 

about folding PMC Sheet 

is in this book! 

CLASSES 

Beginning 

Intermediate 

Advanced 

Certifications 

Michela Verani 

Master’s Registry II, ArtClay Certifying Senior Instructor 

Classes in the New England area 

(603) 425-0185 

http://www.everlastingtreasures.org 

For your signed copy, contact: 

Sara Jayne Cole 

319-235-5569 

clickcollections@yahoo.com 

Private lessons in folding origami with PMC 

sheet available upon request. 


Blo g 

Guest Blogger 

“More Woes Than Wows!” 

by Melody Pierson 

Guess you haven’t heard from me in a while because I have to been too busy screwing up everything 

that I work on. Actually, you have heard more than you care to know in all my posts here and there. 

It all started with a flower. No, it all started with a manicure. I had gone to the hair salon for every 

reason you can think of but mainly because my hair was turning grey very quickly. I also decided I 

needed a manicure, which is kind of insane when you think about what we do with our nails when 

working with metal clay. So I sat down with my favorite manicurist and friend, Rosie, who loves my 

jewelry and paintings. She asked me for a brass ring. I still haven’t done that yet. The lady beside her, 

another manicurist, gave me a flowered ring and 

asked me in broken English to make it bigger for 

another finger. I agreed (it must have been the 

fumes of the dark purple nail polish Rosie was 

applying to my nails). She dropped the ring into 

my bag. 

Manicure finished, I moved onto the next stop 

on the assembly line to have my hair washed, 

then on to the hairdresser. Walked around for 3 

hours until I was SURE my nails were dry and 

left to go home. Oh, and by the way, the other 

manicurist with the ring, Theresa, asked me for 

a pendant just like the ring but bigger. This was 

all fake silver or nickel plated, but it looked pretty 

icky to me. 

When I arrived home, I showed my husband the 

ring. He said, no problem, I’ll take a Dremmel 

to it and grind away the inside of the ring. 

That raised a red flag. My idea (that somehow 

couldn’t leave my head to make the journey to 

the mouth) was that it would be better to cut it (a bit) and try to solder silver clay to fill in the cut. 

He ground it. Well, it was going to fit now, but on the inside there were a whole array of metals. Now 

what? Gilder’s Paste - Silver! I had that. I love when I have something that you need for a project and 

you don’t say, “Drats (fill in your real word) I don’t have that.” However, the Gilder’s Paste was there. 

I open the lid, take a tiny corner of a cloth and start spreading it inside the ring gently but with even 

coverage. I let it dry. I did this about 26 times. In fact, it looked so good that I figured I would re-do 

the outside of the ring the same way. Again the application, etcetera. After a day, not that I shouldn’t 

have waited two days, I decided to use my OWN noggin’ and protect it with a lacquer protector thing, 

Permelac. Seemed like clear nail polish to me but I am sure it was much stronger. 


I’ve looked at the ring from both sides now. Looked good! I also made a molded impression of the flower 

so I could somehow make a bigger one. I moved in the right direction but I am never sure where I am 

going to land up in these projects. Anyway, I brought it back to the salon and Theresa wasn’t there. No 

problem. I gave it to Rosie, who asked again about the brass ring. I should tell you that during these 

waiting times for the paste to dry etc., I tried making the brass ring three times. Really! Too thin! Too 

thick, too small, not wide enough... yeah, I made about three of them. 

A day or two later, I was anxious to hear what Theresa thought about the ring. I called up Rosie. She 

said that all that silver stuff came off and now the inside of her ring is orange. Damn, geez, expletives!! 

Does it make a difference that the ring cost her ten dollars and I used up how many hours to accomplish 

her initial request. Well, I was horrified. I asked Rosie if she was really upset. She said, “You’ll have to 

ask her”. This did not bode well. In the meantime I played with the rosette mold and made a necklace of 

three hanging on a silk ribbon in different color metals. I so tried to like it. I did not. You’ll notice I didn’t 

call Theresa back yet. I figured I would make her the pendant from the rose mold. She knew I wasn’t 

going to use real silver, so the closest to that was Pearl Grey Silver by Hadar Jacobson, which I love. 

I made the pendant. It wasn’t round. I had to add to it 

with more rosette parts to equal it out. Then I made the 

bail in the back, really making sure that everything was 

even. In greenware it weighed a pound. I finally put it 

in the kiln, fully expecting this THING would not sinter. 

Ah, but it did. I took the brass brush, the Dremmel, the 

tumbler, my agate burnisher... not so silvery. Well, truth 

be told, it’s supposed to look like steel, but a light steel. 

I put it online to show friends, as I did the rosette 

necklace and I must say how polite everybody was. I 

tried this thing on and I felt the old ball and chain without 

the chain. 

At this point, to add insult to injury, my hair was really 

dirty and the grey was coming in, oddly matching 

the Pearl Grey Silver I used for the pendant. Should 

I go back to the salon and have my hair properly 

done,coloured, etc...and face Theresa about the ring and 

show her the pendant? It’s Rejection vs. Vanity. I chose 

rejection. I just couldn’t bear going back there, yet. 

But what did I have to lose? I already put in the hours, 

did the best I could and if she didn’t like it, so she didn’t 

like it, and there was a Ladies Room nearby where I 

could heave from the pain. So here’s the bottom line. 

I went to another hairdresser, took off my own nail polish and my hair continues to grow even more grey 

with the length. I just tell anyone who asks that I want that “older hippy look”....which isn’t so bad. Didn’t 

that whole generation start off with Flower Power? 

Check out Metal Clay Today’s blog at 

http://metalclaytoday.wordpress.com/2010/03/ 

Want to be a Guest Blogger? 

Click here! 

editor@metalclaytoday.com 


COMING 

Thank YOU with much gratitude and appreciation to Judges 

MariaElena Baca, Jonna Faulkner, Holly Gage, Lesley Messam, 

Linda Stiles Smith and Jackie Truty 

We are so very grateful to you all for your insight, professionalism and 

generous time devoted to make this challenge a success. 

And now for the results! 

First Place 

Fion McCumhil 

by Wanaree Tanner 

Wanaree received a 

3 gram package of Art Clay Gold 

valued at $215 

I’m inspired by world cultures, comparative religion, and a fascination with the idea that art can 

transcend language. To me, metal clay is a great gift to artists... its workablilty, and how readily it 

takes shapes and forms, makes anything possible. My pieces begin as hand drafted drawings, the 

textures and forms that I work into the metal clay are my own. 

Being from a multi-cultural backround, many of my pieces fuse elements from what may seem 

vastly different sources, but there is this thread of commonality of the human experience that fuels 

my creativity. My better half and I have owned and operated a small 

artware boutique, Jade Orchid, in Quincy, IL for almost five years. 

I have taught basic jewelry-making techniques to adults and children 

and have recently begun a blog to share some of my techniques and 

processes. I also travel frequently during the year, participating in art 

festivals whenever I can. 

I serve on the board of the Great River Artisians, a group of local artists 

that originize shows to encourage art appreciation in the community. 

Most of my focus in the past has been on drawing, painting and 

illustrating; much of my current work is somehow connected to that 

love and passion. I now work primarily in copper and silver metal clays. 

Visit www.jade-orchid.com to discover more of Wanner’s creations! 


Second Place 

Threshold 

by Kimberly Nogueria 

Kimberly received 100 gram packages of Hadar 

Jacobson’s Copper, Bronze, Pearl Grey Steel, 

White & Rose Bronze Clays... and ‘Mixed Metal 

Jewelry from Metal Clay’ Book valued at $150 

Born and raised in Western Massachusetts, Kimberly Nogueira received a 

BA in Sociology from Smith College, and has spent the past 17 years on the 

smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John. She is a production goldsmith 

and also maintains her own small metalworking studio in addition to working 

for the family rental management business. 

Self-taught in stone setting, enamelling, keum-boo, 

etching, sand casting and metal clay, she has also 

studied lost wax casting with Alan Burton Thompson. 

Her studio explorations center around childhood, found 

fragments and the minutiae of the forest floor and 

shoreline. They are formed from a combination of metal 

fabrication techniques and work with metal clay. 

Sustainability and conservation of natural resources are a priority in Kimberly’s 

studio. She fires her kiln on solar power and uses cistern water, recycled packaging, 

reclaimed furniture, equipment and metals in her studio. 

Viewer’s Choice 

Hinges All Around 

by Margaret Wells 

Margaret received an 

ArtClay Silver Quick Kit 

valued at $89 

Margaret Wells is a senior certified Art Clay 

instructor. She has been working in metal clay for 

five years and creating jewelry since an early age in 

multiple mediums. 

Margaret lives in the Bay Area and teaches out of 

her home. For the past couple of years she has 

been studying with Hadar Jacobson; one of her 

pieces was included in Hadar’s latest book, Mixed 

Metal Jewelry from Metal Clay. 

Art is one of the ways she expresses herself and 

teaching allows her to share in the wonderful 

experience of creating something unique. 


The MCT 

Challenge! 

Time to vote... 

C H AI N S 

LINKS, AND OTHER CONNECTORS 

In each quarter Metal Clay Today proposes a new challenge 

with fun themes to stretch your creative and artistic muscles. 

Each challenge is sponsored by a company 

or artist connected to the Metal Clay community. 

Each Challenge is judged by a panel of experts well known in the Metal Clay community. 

During the judging, NO ONE (except the artist and the staff of Metal Clay Today) 

will know the names of the artists who created the works of art. 

This ensures that the entries will be judged solely on their artistic merits. 

First and Second Place prizes will be awarded based on theme, design and overall creativity. 

The winner of the Viewer’s Choice Award will be presented 

to the artist who receives the most votes from their peers. 

Upcoming Challenges... 

Spring 2012 

Inc. (Incorporated) 

Incorporating other materials 

March 15 - April 15 

April 22 - May 5 

May 10, 2012 

ISSUE 

Theme of Challenge 

Artists Challenge 

Submit Dates 

Voting dates 

Winners Announced 

Summer 2012 

Enamored 

Enameling 

June 15 - July 15 

July 22 - August 5 

August 10, 2012 


1st Place Prize 

50 grams PMC Sterling Silver Clay 

& Dynasty Texture Stamps 

2nd Place Prize 

Selection of new Metal Mania Clays 

courtesy of West of the Moon 

Viewer’s Choice Award 

The Art & Design of Metal Clay 

Jewelry 2012 Calendar 

courtesy of Holly Gage 

Submission deadline is January 19th, 2012 

Voting will take place from January 26th to February 5th. 

Winners will be announced on February 10th. 

Visit www.metalclaytoday.com for complete guidelines. 

Fall 2012 

Ornamental My Dear 

Not Jewelry 

September 15 - October 15 

October 22- November 5 

November 10, 2012 

ISSUE 

Theme of Challenge 

Artists Challenge 

Submit Dates 

Voting dates 

Winners Announced 

Winter 2013 

Build a Better Box 

Dimensional Objects 

December 15 - January 15 

January 22 - February 5 

February 10, 2013 


Class Listings, Show Schedules, Organization News 

Calling all Guilds! 

Tell the world where and when you meet. 

Send information about your class listings, show schedules... meeting times and 

locations of your metal clay, artisan or jewelry making organizations. 

Please include your name, where and when, name and contact’s e-mail address. 

We believe that it is important for all metal clay enthusiasts 

to have a forum for networking and promoting their work. 

International — 

Australia – The First International Chapter of the PMC Guild - The Victoria, Australia 

Chapter, based in Melbourne. Meetings are held alternate months. For Information contact 

carolgregory30@gmail.com 

United States — 

Arizona – Phoenix area Metal Heads, Feat of Clay Chapter of the PMC Guild - The Metal 

Heads are a diverse group of silver clay enthusiasts with various backgrounds and interests with one 

common goal. They are dedicated to sharing their passion with friends and have fun doing it! The MHFOC 

meet monthly at Fire & Friends Z Art Studio located at 8550 N. 91st Avenue in Peoria AZ. The meetings 

consist of sharing information as well as experimenting with different techniques, processes & mediums. 

Dues are $20 per year, payable after your first meeting plus a $5 per meeting donation. Some knowledge of 

metal clay is helpful, but not required, all levels are welcome. The groups goals are to share ideas and expand 

our knowledge, but most of all to have fun with friends! www.mhfoc.org www.ffzstudio.com 

California – Metal Clay Alchemists Society of San Diego County - Regularly meets at the 

Continuing Education building, West City Pt. Loma Campus, room 127, 6:00 pm. The address is 3249 

Fordham St, San Diego 92110. A holiday gathering in December. Contact Ann and Stan Rosier at ann_ 

stanrosier@yahoo.com for more information. All Metal Clay Enthusiasts are welcome! 

San Diego County Chapter of the PMC Guild - Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of 

every month at 6:30 pm. 5654 Mildred Street, San Diego, CA 92110 Contact Person: Melissa @ 

mwilcoxson83@aol.com 

Blog: www.sdcpmcguild.blogspot.com http://www.pmcguild.com/chapters/sandiego/about.html 

San Diego Guild - Contact Louise Shadonix, Oversight Director San Diego PMC Guild for more 

information. 

Art Clay Society of Orange County - Our meetings are held on the second Friday of each month 

at 7p.m. We meet at Brea Bead Works, 1027 East Imperial Highway, Suite D5, Brea, California 92821. 

Please contact Candace Steppes at artclaysocietyoc@gmail.com for more information. 

Colorado – The Western Slope Metal Clay Artisans Chapter - aka Grand Junction Chapter 

of the PMC Guild and the Art Clay Society. We serve metal clay enthusiasts on the western slope of 

Colorado and in eastern Utah. We meet in Grand Junction, CO on the third Saturday of every month from 

10 am to 2 pm where we have studio exploration time lead by our members as well as several seminars 

each year presented by nationally known metal clay artists. We are a ‘non-denominational’ group dually 

chartered by both PMC Guild (PMCG) and Art Clay Society (ACS) with interest in all types of metal clay. 


We have no local dues, but members are required to join both the ACS and PMCG after attending one 

meeting. Contact Cindy Holst Chapter Leader cindysancolorado@yahoo.com for more information. 

Florida – Florida Suncoast Chapter of PMC Guild (Sarasota and Bradenton), 

meets at 6:30 on the third Wednesday of each month at the Reinemeyer Studio, 2550 26th St., West 

Bradenton, FL. Contact Wendy Traver or visit http://www.pmcguild.com/chapters/floridasuncoast.html for 

more information. 

PMC Southwest Florida, is the southwest Florida chapter of athe national PMC Guild. The southwest 

Florida chapter meets in the southern half of Florida at least part of the year. We look forward to meeting 

you. Contact Helene K. helene_florida@yahoo.com for more information. 

The Miami Metal Clay Artists, which is the local chapter of Art Clay Society, USA, and PMC Guild 

meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 630 p.m. for social and 7:00 for meeting and project. 

Meetings are held at Torchfire Studio, 4229 Southwest 75th Ave., Miami, FL 33255. We welcome all metal 

clay enthusiasts. Contact chapter leader Bernadette Denoux 305 273-8829.For more information visit 

www.miamimetalclayartists.com Email Bernadette at Miamimetalclayartists@yahoo.com. 

Illinois – Chicago South Metal Clay Alliance welcomes all metal clay enthusiasts: all experience 

levels, all brands, all metals! We are a technique-focused but relaxed and open group who loves to meet 

on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 1pm, at Art Clay Society Headquarters. (4535 Southwest Highway, 

Oak Lawn, IL 60453). We enjoy demonstrations mingled with open studios, field trips, and priceless info 

sharing. For more information, please email Katie at Katie@artclayworld.com. We’ll enjoy meeting you! 

Suburban Silver Society meets the second Friday of each month, all metal clay artists are invited. We 

are a hands-on group, we work on a project at each meeting. New techniques and demonstrations are 

presented. For more information contact Deb Wojnorowski at fussyfinery@sbcglobal.net. 

Kansas – The Kansas City chapter of the PMC Guild is an eclectic group of artists from the 

great Kansas City metropolitan area with a common interest in metal clays—PMC, ArtClay, Copper, 

Bronze. We meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month to share a hands-on exploration of a technique or 

media. Dues are currently $10.00 annually. Contact chapter president Lynette Fisk at bylynette@gmail. 

com or check out our website www.kcpmcguild.org for current meeting information. 

Massachusetts – Greater Boston Metal Clay Chapter meets every 4th Sunday of each 

month at Metalwerx, 50 Guinan Street, Waltham, MA from 7pm - 9pm. Each meeting we discuss new 

topics, ideas, have a demo, and discuss our current month’s challenge. For more information visit them at 

http://bostonmetalclay.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=130525423846 

New York – PMC Guild-Syracuse/CNY Chapter meets the 3rd Sunday of the month at 3:00- 

4:45 at the Manlius Public Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Way, Manlius 

Upstate New York Metal Clay Guild - Studio 34 Creative Arts Center and Gallery, 34 Elton St., Rochester, 

NY 14607. Contact Marilynne at Studio34artists@aol.com or call 585-737-5858 for more information. 

Ohio – The Northeast Ohio Chapter of the PMC Guild meets monthly in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. 

For more information please contact the chapter representative at neopmc155@gmail.com 

The Ohio Metal Clay & Artisan Guild gathers at Zeffers Farm Studios in Waynesville OH {near 

Dayton, Cincy & Columbus} every 4th Sunday. Guests welcome. RSVP’s requested. For guests that have 

never worked with metal clay a short make & take can be scheduled. Metal Clay & supplies are available 

at discount prices to help encourage artisans in this medium. Contact Trish at zeffersstudios@earthlink. 

net or 513-897-2406 for more info. See us on Facebook & Yahoo! www. ZeffersFarmStudios.com 

The PMC Guild of Columbus Ohio meets the 4th Thursday of the month at Xenos (in the Cafe 

Bldg.), 1340 Community Park Drive, Columbus, OH 43229. Besides discussing the general business 

of our guild, members bring current work to share and answer any questions regarding thier jewelry. 

Members volunteer to do short demonstrations. We have several workshops a year and for the first time, 

we are planning classes with other guilds. Contact Deborah Coffelt at email: dacoffelt@aol.com 


Pennsylvania – Greater Philadelphia Metal Clay Guild 

We are an informal group of Metal Clay artists interested in meeting others with an interest in Metal Clay 

in the Greater Philadelphia area. Meetings will be held monthly in the West Chester area (Details to 

follow if you join the group). New and experienced artisans are welcome, shared learning opportunities 

among members, learning opportunities with outside artists, field trips, play sessions and more. Star 

Printing at 1075 Andrew Dr., Suite A, West Chester, PA, 19380. Email hgage1@ptd.net for more info 

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=142323869145035&v=infoef=”javasc 

Western PA Chapter of the PMC Guild - Metal clay enthusiasts from Western PA and surrounding 

areas of OH and WV are welcome to join us as we educate and inspire one another, regardless of your 

preferences for brand or metal. We meet approximately once a month, on a variable schedule. Visit our 

home page http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MetalClayWesternPA for current information and to join our 

online community. Please include your name (and general location) in your request to join at: wpapmc@ 

gmail.com. 

CLASSIFIED ADS 

Hilary Abada 

I would like to start a hands-on metal clayers group in Queens or New York City. 

I have a studio and would like to meet one Saturday or Sunday per month with other 

like-minded clayers who enjoy sharing in the process of creativity. 

All levels welcome. Give me a call and let’s get started. 

Call Hilary Abada at 718-380-0570 

email femhil@aol.com to get started. 

Crazy Baby Creations / Christina Ogata - Vacaville, CA 

Learn metal clay, fused glass, wirework, and beading/stringing techniques in small, 

intimate classes held in our fully equipped studio. We offer all levels of training and 

even customize classes upon request. Use our hand tools during class, so you can 

explore now and purchase tools later. Use our tools and equipment during our monthly 

Open Studio hours. We sell supplies, tools and equipment to students at a discount. 

cbcompanies@comcast.net 707-689-5464 http://www.crazybabycreations.com 

Floridalma Landry 

Certified Instructor - PMC and ArtClay 

Beginner and Advanced Level Classes 

504-430-6062 

pmclady@cox.net 


Place An Ad 

Contact Information: 

Date _______________________________ 

Company Name _________________________________ Contact Name_________________________ 

Phone (______)_______________________ Email _________________________________________ 

* Link _____________________________________________________________________________ 

* Please link my ad to the following website or other online destination 

Please circle your selections: 

Size of Ad: Classified Business Card Quarter Page 1/3 Page Half Page Full Page 

Beginning with Issue: Spring Summer Fall Winter 

Number of Issues: 1 2 Full Year 

Graphics Provided? Yes No 

** Graphic Design requested: Yes No 

** Additional fee of $50 for Graphic Design requested 

Ad Size 1 Edition / Price 2 Editions / Price Full Year / Price 

Classified 

Based on ads of 75 words or less 

Business Card 

3.25” w x 2” h 

Quarter Page 

3.5” w x 4.5” h 

1/3 Page 

7” w x 3.25” h 

Half Page 

7” w x 5” h 

Full Page 

7” w x 10” h or full bleed 

$15 $25 $40 

$35 $60 $100 

$50 $80 $140 

$80 $150 $280 

$100 $180 $340 

$140 $240 $440 

It’s so easy to place an ad: 

1. Print and fill in form, scan, and email with pdf, tiff or jpg of your ad 

or print and fill in form, and mail with a copy of your ad to 

Metal Clay Today at address below 

2. A proof of your ad will be emailed to you for approval. 

3. After approval is received, a Paypal Invoice will be sent to you. 

Deadlines for Submission: 

Spring Issue - February 8 

Summer Issue - May 8 

Fall Issue - August 8 

Winter Issue - November 8 

Metal Clay Today • 6716 So. 49th Street • Omaha, NE 68117 • 619-723-8495 

9834 Scottsbluff Court • Santee CA 92071 • 619-723-8495 • Fax 619-449-5999 

www.MetalClayToday.com • advertise@MetalClayToday.com 

www.metalclaytoday.com advertise@metalclaytoday.com

Download - Metal Clay Today

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?