Trafford Publishing: Creating with Precious Metal Clay

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Creating with Precious Metal Clay

by Jeanette Landenwitch

101 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #02-0283; ISBN 1-55369-470-8; US$22.95, C$34.95, EUR22.80, £15.80

Anyone can use Precious Metal Clay (PMC)! This book takes you, in-depth, through the entire process, from making your first beginner piece, firing, and finishing it, all the way to advanced methods and techniques. By the time you finish this book you will be very proficient in working with PMC!

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about the book      about the author      testimonials      sample excerpts      catalogue info

About the Book

Creating with Precious Metal Clay offers in-depth discussion about Precious Metal Clay (PMC), along with over 200 color and black & white photographs. This book is divided into two sections. The first half gives all the information you need to work with PMC. The entire process is explained, including the types of PMC, tools, techniques, firing, and finishing. The second half includes 15 in-depth projects that allow hands-on experience. Some of the techniques taught include joining, texturing, draping, layering, three-dimensional hollow forms, such as beads and vessels, setting stones before firing and afer firing, making bezels, carving, cutwork, and forming and shaping rings and bracelets. A special section about using PMC with fired ceramic glazes is also included. After learning the methods in this book you will be able to design and create your own pieces in your own special style!

About the Author

I began working with Precious Metal Clay in 1999 and immediately became intrigued. Since then I have worked extensively with the medium and it has become my main focus. Working with PMC is a wonderful creative outlet for me. It challenges me to stretch my ideas, which causes me to constantly incorporate new methods and techniques. Inspiration for my pieces is everywhere, but my favorite is nature.
I am a one-person studio and make most of my pieces by hand. One exception is the Celtic jewelry. Celtic designs are generally more intricate and exact, so these I press from molds, which I make from my own designs. After firing, most of the finishing is done by hand, some is done using a small rotary tool.
I am a Certified PMC Instructor and teach classes and workshops.

Shows, Exhibitions, and Publications

Na Torgu Gallery-Veliky, Novgorod, Russia June-November, 2001
PMC Conference Exhibit-Wooster, Ohio July, 2002
'Washington Woman' magazine-November 2002 issue
'Metalwork 2002'-Target Gallery in the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Old Town Alexandria, VA. -- Washington Guild of Goldsmiths biennial juried show. November 2002-January, 2003
'Positively Precious Metal Clay'-awarded **BEST in SHOW**-Artisans Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, VA--national juried show. May-July, 2003

Books and Magazine Articles

Author of Creating with Precious Metal Clay-released June 2002
Contributor of articles and photos to 'Studio PMC'-PMC Guild newsletter
'Fired Arts and Crafts' magazine-February 2003 issue
'Expression' magazine-pending for Jan-Feb 2004 issue

Member of:

PMC Guild
Washington Guild of Goldsmiths
President of Artisans United, Inc.-Annandale, VA-May 2002-May 2004

Jeanette Landenwitch
www.JMLCreations.com
jmlandenwitch@yahoo.com

Testimonials

"Well written, easy to understand.".... Mr. Akira Nishio, Mitsubishi
"From basic information to challenging projects, Creating with Precious Metal Clay provides a wealth of information and insight.".... Tim McCreight, Jeweler/ Designer/Teacher/Author/Consultant to Mitsubishi Materials, creator of PMC
"Congratulations on your book! I'm impressed with how much information you packed in the pages.".... Cece Wire, Director, PMC Guild
"I'm still...almost new to PMC. I got Jeanette's book and just loved it. I'm stuck sort of far away from where classes are, and it really helped to have a step-by-step guide.".... Bonnie Lavish, Maryland

Sample Excerpts

Table of Contents

Forward
Introduction
Properties of Standard PMC, PMC+, and PMC3
Tools and Supplies
Using PMC
Firing PMC
After Firing
Designing PMC Pieces

Projects
Coil Earrings
Textured, Layered Pendant
Acorn Mold
     Beads, Hollow Forms, and Cores
     Bead with Paper Towel Core
Dragonfly Vase
Carving and Cutwork
Simple Bypass Ring
Ring Set with Cubic Zirconia
Setting Real Stones-Amber
Pendant with Highly Dimensional Glass
Link Bracelet with Enamel
Cuff Bracelet
Firing Silver and 24K Gold PMC Together
Adding Fired Gold PMC to PMC+
PMC Sheet-Pin with Dichroic Glass

Special Section For Potters
PMC Applied to Glazed Ceramic Tiles
     High Fire Glaze
PMC Applied to Glazed Ceramic Tiles
     Low Fire Glaze
PMC 3 Applied to Glazed Ceramic Tiles

Resources
Index

Introduction

PMC is a revolutionary development in the precious metal industry. It allows for easy creation of detail in designs that would be very difficult and painstaking to achieve using conventional forms of metal and methods of working. Expensive tools and equipment are not needed to work with PMC.
It is a very versatile product. The silver and gold PMC can be used separately, or in combination with each other, as in two-tone pieces. PMC can be combined, before firing, with other materials such as potter's clay, sterling silver, high-fired ceramics, synthetic corundum stones, and, after firing, using epoxy, or soldering methods. It can be enameled, carved, or even wheel-thrown. Three dimensional pieces and hollow forms such as beads and vases can easily be made.
PMC is a very 'forgiving' medium. Changes in the piece can be made at any stage of creation, allowing for the design to truly evolve. New designs can be tested with very little time commitment. You will also learn that, with a little vigilance, there is virtually no wasted PMC. Slightly or completely dried PMC can be re-hydrated to working consistency, or made into slip (a paste form of PMC used for joining and repairing).
PMC has incredible potential and limitless possibilities. Your designs can be as simple or as intricate as you desire. As you learn about PMC, your imagination will be more than sparked. You will find yourself thinking of more design ideas than you have time to create. By all means try new things and experiment with new ideas. This is a product that is in its infancy. It has tremendous potential and is very easily individualized. Experienced artisans, jewelers, clay workers, bead-makers, etc., will find ways to incorporate PMC into existing methods of working. Novice hobbyists and budding artisans will have wonderful success from the very beginning. You will find great satisfaction and encouragement when you see the professional results you can achieve. Those who experience PMC will add a dimension to their work that has been unavailable until now.

Sample Project

Catalogue Information