April Meeting - Epoxy Clay

In April Janice LeMasters will show us how to use 2-part epoxy clay, using silicone molds.

The meeting is Tuesday, April 15 at 7 pm.

At our April 2014 meeting we will explore using resin clay , sometimes called crystal clay or epoxy clay.

Janice LeMasters will teach us various techniques for using this versatile medium. Each member* will receive a package of resin clay to work with.

NOTE: this material is NOT clear like epoxy resin, but comes in various "metal" tones and colors. It is used for molding and embedding. 

Materials and tools to bring:

• silicone molds (not rubber - it will not release)
• silicone work mat (oven liners are fine)
• vinyl gloves (to use when mixing)
• olive oil
• stones, findings, bales, crystals,etc. to embed in clay
• bezel (pendant, ring or anything) to fill with clay
• Toothpick with beeswax or small tweezers

Here's an online tutorial if you want to know more before you come. 

Another video tutorial here, using Martha Stewart epoxy clay.

ALSO

• Bring show and tell
• March Raffle winners were: new member Davina Taylor-Hinds and Cheryl Coleman (2)
• *NOTE: 2014 Dues are payable now! Just $24/year! If you are not a paid member, you can purchase a package of resin clay.
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Everyone is welcome to join us for a no-host, pre-meeting dinner out at Cheddars (95th & Quivira) at 5:00 pm.

March 2014 - Fold Forming Metal

Our March meeting will be lead by Cecilia Rosales and we'll be fold-forming 24gauge copper

Everyone will get a couple small pieces of 24ga copper. Foil is too thin, heavier gauges are difficult to work with.

We will need to have:

Annealing stations (at least one or two)

fire brick

torch

surface protection

quenching bowl or bucket

Tools:

ear plugs

safety glasses

anvil or tree stump

bench block

hammer (raising or forging hammers if you have them)

leather mallet

anvils and stakes

large vise

pliers, both chain nose, flat and wide jawed

prying tools (like a bench knife, butter knife)

We are planning to set up a hammering board (using a couple wooden stools, a large heavy board and come C-clamps.) If you have a sturdy stool that stands 29", please contact Lynette.

Soft Solder and Texture Stamping - March 2014

The March 2014 meeting was an exploration Stamping onto Soft Solder.

 

Lynette Fisk's recent experiments with "texture stamping onto soft solder" are based on work by Stephanie Lee, who has a book and several e-books with video tutorials available. Do a Pinterest search for stamped solder or gilded metal and see what you find!

Check out her online ebook tutorial for HOE (Handbook of Elements) for great bookmaking ideas, plus some soldering tips.

Carol Harder's recent meeting using plaster gauze to make jewelry and Stephanie's book Plaster Studio was the inspiration for the handmade book Lynette brought.

   

and we also played with making a rectangular bezel out of copper or brass "foil" (36 gauge sheet available at Hobby Lobby) to solder and fill with resin.