[Jewelry making - Article 00541] - Re: [Orchid] Article: Minimal Metalsmithing

[Lisa Gallagher]

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    I decided I'd finally add my 2 cents, too. It seems this discussion
    could go on for a long time, but hopefully it won't get beaten &
    flogged & beaten again as some other recent ones have. 

    I started working with PMC recently, a few months ago, and I feel
    the need to defend the clay and the work that can be created with it.
    Why does this material have to defend itself, anyway? At a basic
    level, it's just another material people use to make jewelry. It
    seems any time there is a new material, people get worked up about
    it, question it's value, and some time later it's considered just as
    "normal" as everything else. I'm not a jewelry historian, but I'd bet
    even silver was looked down upon at some point along the way, a very
    long time ago. Some materials are considered traditional, some are
    new & different. There are people making amazing things out of just
    about any material you can imagine! There are no rules any more about
    what materials can be used in order for a piece of jewelry to be
    beautiful, wearable, and desired. That's not to say that everyone
    should work in every material. Different people like working in
    different materials, and different people like buying jewelry in
    different materials. Takes all kinds, right? And besides, this
    material is fine silver for heaven's sake! I'm sure there is a
    difference between the actual structure of the metal in the fired
    clay and that of a piece of regular sheet or wire, but as many others
    have said, it's still metal in the end, and when done RIGHT, it's
    quite durable. And of course you can make something with sterling
    sheet that isn't durable, too. Some people have complained of having
    PMC pieces brought to them that were broken. Have they never gotten a
    sterling or gold piece that was broken? With ANY material, you have
    to know what its limitations are & what techniques work with it. And
    even with that knowledge, you still have to have the skills to work
    with it properly. Crap can be made from ANY material, as can
    something beautiful. The material alone isn't to blame if something
    isn't durable or attractive. Sure, some things just don't lend
    themselves as well to wearable jewelry, but I've seen a lot of things
    done with materials I would never dream of using for jewelry, but
    that doesn't mean they can't work when put in the hands of a skilled
    and knowledgeable craftsmen. And when it comes to the metal clay, I
    really don't think it even falls into that category, it's a good
    material & just needs to be used correctly. Just like anything else. 

    Perhaps it's like the dreaded "beading" that has become a bit of a
    bad word. LOTS of people make jewelry with beads, but lots of them
    aren't very good at it. It's a more approachable medium that
    metalsmithing, so many people have jumped in to try it. Metal clay is
    maybe a bit less approachable than that - it costs more, and you
    should either have a kiln or have access to one - but it's still more
    approachable to many people than traditional metalsmithing, and you
    can't blame the manufacturers for wanting to get as many people as
    possible to try it out. Therefore, lots of people are using it, and
    there's lots of junk being made with it. That doens't mean it's an
    improper material. Just as beads are not improper. The skill and
    talent has to be there, though, in order to use these materials
    properly, to make something of good quality and design. Just like
    anything else- can I stress that enough? 

    I have not been a metalsmith as long as some of you (I began back in
    1998), but I do pride myself on making as many of the components of
    my pieces as possible, I don't just "assemble" pre-made parts. I am a
    metalsmith. I even shy away from casting, unless it really makes
    sense to do it (and even then, I create an original from metal, I've
    just never done wax), as I feel even that's cheating a bit. I like my
    pieces to be unique. When I started to see pieces made with the metal
    clay, I was amazed. There are things that can be done with it that
    just wouldn't be as reasonable for the average metalsmith to do with
    sheet & wire, even a very skilled metalsmith. I love how I can take
    this material and form it with my own two hands (just like more
    traditional materials, but no hammers or saws used to assist my
    hands), to create a beautiful & unique piece of wearable art. Because
    I know lots of other more traditional techniques, it'd be silly for
    me to do things with the clay that I could easily do the more
    traditional ways. It's another way to enhance what I was already
    doing, another skill to add to the mix. I don't believe one should
    just learn one thing & never explore other options. Your work can get
    pretty dull that way. I try to make sure that when I create something
    with the clay, though, it's not something I could have just as easily
    done "the old fashioned way". It's too expensive to waste on things
    like that, and I like to know that I'm making really good use of the
    material, doing something with it I wouldn't do otherwise. And in
    order to make really good use of the material, I have to learn the
    techniques, I have to practice. It does take skill, just like any
    other material. Some people do make things with the clay that other
    people would think is a waste, they could easily be done with sheet
    and wire. Perhaps, though, these people don't have the means to do
    things the more tradional ways. People go about things in different
    ways, have different abilities & setups. Some people might be such
    traditionalists that they cast their own ingots & draw their own
    wire, make their own sheet. More power to them. I personally don't
    have the patience to create all my own wire & sheet from scratch
    (yes, I will draw wire down now & then, or run sheet through the mill
    as needed). Some people have large machines that allow them to do
    some pretty neat things. Great for them. I personally don't have the
    finances or space to have fancy & large equipment. Other people are
    more in the opposite direction, they buy manufactured pieces & solder
    a finding on them, maybe even plop in a stone, and consider it
    handmade jewelry. That's not me, either. To each his own. I don't
    think we should judge people to that level. It may not be our way of
    creating jewelry, but that doesn't mean it's wrong. Just like with
    any other material or technique, if you don't want to use the clay,
    don't use it. Simple. 

    Honesty, however, in how a piece is made, makes all the difference,
    I think. I think that might be what is irking some people about these
    clay pieces. YES, they should be noted as being from metal clay.
    Personally, I note the material as "Fine Silver (PMC)" in the
    materials list. In the descriptions, I will say how the piece started
    as clay, was fired in a kiln, and is now solid fine silver. I think
    that is an interesting part of how the piece was made. I want people
    to know the work that goes into a piece, it helps them appreciate it.
    By the way, I also think the artist should note when a major
    component is cast, just so there's no confusion about the techniques
    involved. 

    OK, so maybe that was more like 10 cents. I'll get down off my box
    now. ;-) 

Lisa
Designs by Lisa Gallagher
www.lisagallagher.com

 
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