[Jewelry making - Article 00246] - Re: [Orchid] Article: Minimal Metalsmithing

[DebAnnN]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

    I read your article and found that the major weakness of metal clay
    continues to be omitted from the discussion. Below is my response to
    Nanz Aalund's attack on Metal Clay and Elaine which I posted to the
    Yahoo Metal Clay Group earlier today. I am currently learning some
    "traditional" metalsmithing skills to add to my Metal Clay work. But
    truly, I can find so many ways to create/work with Metal Clay that
    cannot be done with sheet or wire or casting. On the other hand I
    see so few things that can be done with sheet/wire/casting/etc. that
    cannot be done with Metal Clay. 

    Nanz-I don't know what the prototype PMC product was like in the
    '80's, which you tested, but it most certainly cannot be the product
    we create with today. One: I have quite a few pieces-many of which 
are
    rings-that I personally wear daily (24/7 for the rings) and have for
    some time that have not cracked, split--or scarred/marred anymore, if
    as much, as SS or gold. Believe me, I'm hard on everything I own/use.
    No time or patience for weak &/or fragile anything. Two: I have
    soldered, filed, sawed, etc. fired Metal Clay. Have you even tried
    Metal Clay since those '80's prototyope/sample tests? Three: I find
    it shocking that someone in your position, with a very major jewelry
    Arts magazine, has such a negative view of a product that is fast
    becoming recognized as an important new technique in jewelry making,
    especially Art jewelry. One can only wonder if or how your bias will
    affect the future of Metal Clay presentation/articles in your
    publication. 

    Sorry for the long-windedness, but I'm very passionate about Metal
    Clay. Most of those on this list are of far greater talent,
    Artistically & technically, than I. I'm sure they can attest to Metal
    Clay's viability as a long-term, long-lasting, and ever & endlessly
    evolving product/method of jewelry fabricating. 

Debra Newell
____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________