Getting around the gold problem
A friend of mine has commissioned me to make a 'Congratulations' pendant for her sister-in-law, who has just provided her with her first nephew. And really, it's the women do all the work, so I think that's a fantastic idea. Hear that guys? Forget the plethora of baby booties and cutesy overalls, a new mother needs congratulations jewellery!
So my friend's SIL only wears gold, which was a bit of a dilemma. Of the cheaper alternatives, I don't like working in brass and I'm not all that fond of gilding metal either, as no matter how pretty and golden it starts out, eventually it tarnishes nastily. I could of course work with gold-filled or gold-plated findings, but really that rather defeats the purpose of having a custom pendant created.
My solution to the problem was to design the pendant to be created in silver PMC (precious metal clay), and then 'plate' it with one of metal liquids invented for just such a purpose. The product I decided upon is called 'Accent Gold for Silver', and is 24K gold dispersed in a water-based medium. This is brushed onto already-fired PMC silver, fired in the kiln again, and then burnished into shiny gold prettiness. The gold comes in a tiny little jar (it's only 1 gram of metal after all!) with accompanying vial of liquid. And paperclip. Just on the off-chance you can't find one to stir the two together. Hmm.
Anyway, this weekend I will be trying it out. I love learning new arts & crafts techniques. Admittedly, I sometimes don't bother doing them again, but it's always fun trying out something new. Definitely on a trial piece first however!
So my friend's SIL only wears gold, which was a bit of a dilemma. Of the cheaper alternatives, I don't like working in brass and I'm not all that fond of gilding metal either, as no matter how pretty and golden it starts out, eventually it tarnishes nastily. I could of course work with gold-filled or gold-plated findings, but really that rather defeats the purpose of having a custom pendant created.
My solution to the problem was to design the pendant to be created in silver PMC (precious metal clay), and then 'plate' it with one of metal liquids invented for just such a purpose. The product I decided upon is called 'Accent Gold for Silver', and is 24K gold dispersed in a water-based medium. This is brushed onto already-fired PMC silver, fired in the kiln again, and then burnished into shiny gold prettiness. The gold comes in a tiny little jar (it's only 1 gram of metal after all!) with accompanying vial of liquid. And paperclip. Just on the off-chance you can't find one to stir the two together. Hmm.
Anyway, this weekend I will be trying it out. I love learning new arts & crafts techniques. Admittedly, I sometimes don't bother doing them again, but it's always fun trying out something new. Definitely on a trial piece first however!