Sacerdotesse

outer rim done.. inner rim to go

I had some fun today starting to cover the wood clay forms I made earlier.

I rolled out a 3 card thick circle, and then pressed a stamp in to it to give it some texture.  This is the top side of the new pendant I’m making.  I did the same again for the underside of the pendant.  I then used the wooden form as a template and cut out 2 discs to fit the top and bottom side of the form.  Using some slip as glue, I waited for the 2 disks to become leather hard, and glued them on to the form.  I then trimmed back the disks a little to fit the form flush.  (I had to trim back a little of the form to fit the disks too!)

Finally, I rolled out a coil and flattened it.. then applied it to the outer edge of the form.

I need some more clay before I can do the inside edge of the form.   I’ve ordered some.. now I just have to wait for it to come!

Despite thinking that I got the outer edge pretty flat, I still felt like it was more curved than I wanted.. so I added a bordered edge and built it all up with slip, then carved and sanded it back down to get a smooth rim.

carved leaf dome with toggle attached, on the right

I also did some more work on my leaf carved dome.  Too much in fact,  and managed to crush a part of it inwards.  I spent a good hour repairing it!  I also hollowed out the toggle, drilled a hole through the rim and attached the toggle to the rim, as well as giving the whole piece a good sanding over.  i need to put the inner rim on this one and then it’s almost done.  I found that I can actually purchase fine silver balls in the size that I would like to do my granulation in!  So happy.. because now I don’t have to stress about trying to get the little balls exactly round.  Oh happy day!

In other news, I’ve bought Pam East’s enamelling book as well.  I’m interested to find out a few things about enamelling before I jump in the deep end.. a bad habit of mine!  I’m particularly concerned about having to counter-enamel pieces.  When enamelling on the outside of hollow forms as I envisage myself doing, I’m not going to be able to counter-enamel.  I’m also wondering how deep I need to make the recesses for the enamel to show up.  I’m thinking of giving it a go on this new circle I’m making, but I want to make sure the front face is recessed enough to take a decent amount of enamel so I get a good depth of color.

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