Earring Fashions With Glaze Pencils and Chalk

Artisans throughout history have used clay to createcritically to find the most interesting and visually
jewelry. From the most primitive cultures, throughappealing impressions. Imagine how the image might
ancient Egypt and the Ming dynasties, up to thebe trimmed to a final shape as an earring. Perhaps
present times, clay has been used to enhance theround silhouettes work best; perhaps diamonds; or
fashion of the day in the form of rings, beads, andtriangles; or narrow rectangles. The trimmed or
other decorative objects. In our culture, ceramiccropped image must be aesthetically balanced and
earrings have become an important everyday fashionappealing. Cut out the first earring with a knife; and
accessory. They are easy to make, and easy tothen look for a second earring in the images which
decorate with glaze pencils, chalks, etc.either matches or is complementary to the first
Here's how to begin: Cover the table surface with aearring. Lay the first earring over the slab and trace
layer of newspaper, and roll out a thin clay slab onthe earring's shape with the knife to cut the
top. Rolling on newspaper rather than canvas makesmatching earring from the slab. While the first earring
for a fine smooth clay surface rather than theis still stacked on its duplicate, make a hole with a
woven fabric surface of canvas. Use another pieceneedle at the top of the earrings for the wire loop.
of newspaper on top of the clay slab to prevent theContinue to cut out pairs of earrings from the slab;
rolling pin from sticking to it. You can place dowels onand then set them aside until they are leather-hard.
both sides of the clay so that the slab will reach aThen smooth the earrings' edges with a damp
uniform thickness of about 1/8 inch. The surface ofsponge to eliminate crisp edges and burrs. Let the
the clay can be textured using printing blocks,clay dry completely, then bisque fire the earrings.
household or found objects, even toys. Children'sGlaze can be used to define and accent the
printing press type can be used to place text on theembossed images by first glazing the entire surface
clay surface since the type is reversed already, whichwith an underglaze such as stroke 'n coat, and then
makes a positive image on the clay. To makescrubbing the dried glaze away from the high spots
patterns, practically any surface with texture can beusing a kitchen scrub pad. Clean any dust residue
used: paint tray liners, tree bark, embossed wallpaper,from the earrings with a damp sponge. Now the
floor mats, carved buttons, etc. all provide strikingearrings can be fired. A raku firing will carbonize the
results. The only limitation is that of scale: sincebare clay to black during the post firing reduction.
earrings are small, any pattern impressed on themWith an oxidized firing, the bare clay remains white. If
must be small enough to be seen. Also, whenit is desired to add another color, then glaze can be
pressing objects into the clay care must be taken sodelicately brushed across the high parts. This
that the clay in the recessed parts of the image isproduces color in the negative parts of the design.
not too thin. If glaze chalk is to be used in the finalGlaze can also be hand-painted on individual parts of
decorating, striations should not be so narrow thatthe design for more emphasis or contrast. Make sure
the chalk won't fill them. Images can be overlappedonly to glaze the earrings' front sides so that they
or merged to create increased depth and variety. Ifdon't fuse to the shelf of the kiln before firing.
a matching pair of earrings is desired, then a duplicateEarring hooks can be made from any of the
impression should be made for the second earring inhypoallergenic wires which are specially made for
the pair.earrings. Eye pins and hooks can be ordered online
After the slab is full of duplicate images and textures,from many jewelry supply companies.
it is time to find the earrings among them. Look