[Jewelry making - Article 00564] - Re: [Orchid] Article: Minimal Metalsmithing

[James Binnion]

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>     A piece of jewelry made using metal clay is NOT anything more or
>     less than fine silver or 22k gold. It is NOT appropriate or
>     necessary to describe it to a collector/customer as "sintered
>     silver or gold" as suggested by another responder to this Subject. 

    I must disagree here. One of the properties that make precious
    metals desirable is their weight in the hand. Since metal clay is
    less dense than bulk formed metal it should be marked as such to
    fully disclose its origin. This is just like you would disclose a
    synthetic gemstone even though it is chemically the same as the
    natural one. It doesn't make it any less beautiful but it does inform
    the consumer as to its origin 

>     Finally, Nanz and Art Jewelry. It is disappointing to find that
>     such an experienced and knowledgeable jeweler was unable to
>     understand the application and use of metal clay. I hope that Nanz
>     will find a way to investigate metal clay without the interference
>     of preconception. I commend Hazel Wheaton for her action as Editor
>     and, I assume, share with her the sadness at losing such an
>     accomplished and well-trained metalsmith from her staff. 

    Here I must strongly disagree, the whole business with Nanz and Art
    Jewelry magazine was abominably handled. She wrote an honest and
    truthful critique and with the exception of the analogy of MDF to
    metal clay a demonstrably factual one. Many of the metal clay
    advocates who have responded to this thread either did not read or
    saw what they wanted to see not what was actually written. I suggest
    you go back and re-read her post with your blinders off and ask
    yourself are you reading more in to the post than was there? Then
    ask yourself how would you feel about having written a post that
    described personal experience and observation to a open forum and
    then be fired for it. It wasn't an expose or a hit piece it was her
    experience with the metal clay and thoughts on it. If there is
    something wrong with that then Hanuman better shut down Orchid
    because we all are in trouble. 

Respectfully,

Jim

James Binnion
jbin AT mokume-gane.com
James Binnion Metal Arts
http://www.mokume-gane.com
360-756-6550


 
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