Alone Star Jewelry

Our Firing Schedule for Fast Fire Bronze clay

2022-10-22T19:46:00.005-05:00

My next class is on October 29, when we'll make a pair of earrings using FASTfire BRONZclay and a selection of beads from Lisa's Two Loose Beads shop. To my eye I have an unnervingly huge selection of beads, so I had to narrow down those choices and put together a rustic, end-of-summer theme. The pieces are fired as seen below, and to the right is a pre-fire pair Lisa made that'll be fired early next week. So cute, so rustic. I love the color of this fired clay and have little desire to do much else for this project except to burnish on the petals. It will polish to a shine, a light gold that can look more like rose gold than yellow.

fired> unfired>

FASTFire bronze has been around for several years but this is our first go at it. Fast? That is as perfect as it can get for a metal clay class, but online I found more than one firing schedule. Some of them differed from the package-claimed 2-hour schedule, so there was some investigating to do.

Suppliers and individuals alike used their own schedules, so I gave in to the idea of testing with strips of clay. I hadn't previously fired even one strip for any PMC clays. And years ago for some BronzClay breakage and warping issues I put my trust in Mardel Rein at Cool Tools, going straight to her schedule. (She worked with Bob Steuve--the inventor of BronzClay--and that was enough for me. Her program worked for me every time.) However, now it was clear that test strips were the only way to be certain that for FastFIRE we had the right schedule for firing.

How did these firing schedules differ from those on the package? One noticeable factor was that the temperatures being used by others remained the same (1525F) while the firing times changed. Some firings went up to 4 hours, double time! That wasn't a fast fire in my mind, so I hunched that there was a way to do it in 2 hours...I decided to start from scratch and follow the package instructions.

The result was as follows using my Paragon SC2 kiln: Two test strips of different thickness were fired to this schedule: ramp temperature at a rate of 1525F degrees/hour (that took an hour) and once at 1525F, hold for an hour. That's your 2-hour firing. Well, both strips broke. I tried again, keeping all the same except the hold was now for not 1 but 2 hours. This was a common schedule I ran across, but this piece also broke. I was feeling slumpy, but knew I had to find my own answer.

Reviewing my stacks, I found a flyer from Rio that stated the temperature could be raised anywhere from 50-100 degrees. 50? 100? That seemed a lot, but it also seemed my pieces were not getting hot enough to sinter! I upped the hold temp to the max, +100 degrees to 1625F. If this worked, the 2-hour firing claim might be reached.

Eureka! The SC-2 did its thing and fired the new test strip perfectly in 2 hours. I was even able to bend the piece back from the mandatory 90-degree bend. Happiness! Because there was some odd bubbling on the back, I decided to lower the temp to 1600 degrees (a 75 degree difference from the original instructions) but it broke. Maybe somewhere in the 25-degree difference lies the lowest sinter temp, but I'm done with test strips for FastFIRE!

The remaining conclusion for this topic is that kilns obviously fire differently. Lisa has the same kiln as I do, so when she fires her strip we will see if my schedule also works on hers. It should, unless the temp monitoring is faulty. Our kilns both fire silver clay flawlessly, though, so I doubt it.

Finished!

New adventures in silver clay

2022-09-24T12:55:00.000-05:00

Greetings! We first engaged our curiosity about silver clay many years ago, making pieces that prompted our lovely, perennial customers at the Mary Queen Christmas Bazaar to call us "the next James Avery." We have always loved working in other media as well, while keeping the fires burning for metal clay. Now that our kids are grown we want to step up our creative trek and have gone back to this familiar medium, taking new paths for ourselves with it, and teaching others what we have found.

I want to share some of our newest pieces in silver clay. Below are two fine silver cross pendants, one (left) with a deep blue cubic zirconia faceted stone and the other a garnet cabochon. The design comes from an old shell-cut earring that came to me from Grandmother and inspiration came from a mold-making class I taught at Two Loose Beads. I made a mold of each earring then added my own touches to the pieces. The shell is pictured at right (with blue tape on the back); at far right the cross is dry and ready to be fired.

Lisa recently made the beautiful dome below in my class on semi-hollow forms. (Yay, success!...though she is already very accomplished in this medium.)

I love the vintage quality she created with the rose texture and the added embellishments.

And everyone is delighted with the hidden flower!

Next is a fun pair of earrings, the third pair I’ve made. All is fine silver excepting sterling earwires and ball end wires on the bottom. The stone is a faceted pale lavender cubic zirconia. The inspiration came from playing with syringe clay and an ongoing attachment to the celestial. Currently I am working on my own dome pendant (coming soon!) and next month will be expanding into bronze clays in the classes. We will be making a pair of earrings to kick things off! More on that soon, plus lots of jewelry to come! Thanks for having a look. Shauna

Please find more information on these pieces on Instagram at alonestarjewelry and/or twoloosebeads, or on our Facebook at Alone Star Jewelry. We are taking orders, so contact us!

2017-07-25T09:06:00.004-05:00

Child Face in Woven Copper a setting Necklace #2

This is the second in a series of papoose-type necklace pendants designed by Alone Star Jewelry. The first was made probably three years ago, and looking at the pictures of the sarcophagus paintings at Fayum brought the idea to life again. This time copper wire was textured by use of a rolling mill, then woven to create the body of the piece. The youthful face is made from polymer clay and painted with acrylics, framed by another piece of textured copper. This piece has a nice hefty feel without being too heavy, and is just over 2.38" tall, 1" at its widest, and from the back to the front of the silver buttons, 0.5". Copper rope chain is 26.75" long. By Shauna.

2017-07-24T09:25:00.000-05:00

Polymer Clay Painted Face with Butterfly, Sterling and Fluorite Necklace

This polymer clay face features a butterfly and the pretty color of an aventurine cabochon, both elements framed and highlighted by a scalloped sterling silver bezel setting. The back has a window made from mica, through which two paper butterfly cutouts float. Sterling silver wire and decorative balls add to the femininity of this piece. The light pastel greens and lavender colors of fluorite beads pick up the colors of the pendant in a perfect compliment. Strong silk cord secures the fluorite (with contrasting glass beads near the clasp) to the pendant. Necklace length is 18 inches. By Shauna.

2017-07-22T09:15:00.000-05:00

Sterling Silver Five Wire Ball Cluster Ring

Five pieces of 18 gauge Sterling silver wire were first balled on both ends and then soldered together at the base of the band. The ring was formed using a mandrel and then the balled ends are haphazardly intertwined to form a lovely focal on top of the ring. The ring is very highly polished and shines, shines, shines! By Lisa.

2017-07-21T16:59:00.000-05:00

Blue Chalcedony Sterling Silver Scalloped Bezel Handmade Ring

Try this ring on for size! It is completely handmade, featuring a beautiful chalcedony cabochon that is a lovely sea blue/green color. The stone is 23mm x 17mm, and the stone is 7mm tall. Band is made from Sterling silver low dome half round wire and is 4.5mm wide. The bezel scallops are hand cut and fitted perfectly to the stone. If you love the sea and the beach then this ring is for you! By Lisa.

2017-05-25T09:42:00.002-05:00

Sea Green Resin Bezel Heart with Tourmaline, Apatite, Turquoise, Pearl Dangle on Silk String Pendant

This resin pendant features a handmade fine silver bezel with an 18 gauge fine silver bezel. A sterling silver tube is inserted to give the hole at the bottom a more polished look. The resin has been tinted to a beautiful sea green color, which reminds me of the beach. The dangles are made from tourmaline, apatite, turquoise and pearl beads, strung on blue nylon cord. The pendant hangs from a batik string. The overall length of the pendant, including the dangles is 34 inches. The heart pendant is 2 inches long and 1 inch wide. This is a very "happy" piece to wear (I have one myself)! By Lisa.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-05-24T09:28:00.001-05:00

Copper with Czech Glass Beads and Copper Chain Dangle Earrings

Lightweight copper dangle earrings are hand-cut and hand-textured. 3mm Czech glass fire polished beads and Japanese seed beads are woven with copper wire through drilled holes along the bottom edge of the outer copper donut, with each weave ending in a tiny coil of wire. The Czech glass beads flash different colors when the light hits them, ranging from blue to purple to green.

The outer donut measures 1 inch in diameter and the inner domed disc measures 3/4 inch in diameter. The tiny copper chain dangles are wire wrapped to the outer donut.

These lightweight earrings have a lot of movement and are so much fun to wear! The ear wires are antiqued copper with a tiny copper ball embellishment. The copper donut and disc have been treated so they won't tarnish. Drop length is 3 inches. Overall length, including ear wires, is 3-1/2 inches. By Lisa.

For sale on our Etsy shop - https://www.etsy.com/listing/518965906/copper-with-czech-glass-beads-and-copper #handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-05-23T08:36:00.006-05:00

Copper Oval Red Green Blue Yellow Enameled Earrings

Copper oval disc that's approximately 28mm long is first enameled black and then more colors (red, blue, green, yellow) are added and a design is scratched in. These are bright and funky! Handmade sterling silver ear wires. By Lisa.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-05-22T09:30:00.003-05:00

Cornflower Blue Polymer Flower with Yellow Calcite Cab Bead Crochet Pendant

Cornflower Blue Polymer Flower with Yellow Calcite Cab Bead Crochet Pendant. The polymer clay pendant features a painted flower with an oval calcite cabochon. Two calcite donut beads and ivory-colored and blue Japanese Miyuki seed beads decorate the crocheted natural waxed linen cord. Finished with a sterling spring ring clasp.

Necklace is 18" long, pendant 28x23mm, cab 15x10mm. A sealer has been applied to the polymer clay. Handmade by Shauna.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

Papoose Update

2017-05-21T22:24:00.000-05:00


Let the weaving begin! This part took patience.

I have made progress on the papoose pendants. Other projects have distracted me, but hopefully I will persevere and get these finished very soon. One is farther along than the other, because I like the woven part better (below). It is made from copper wire that was textured as it passed through the rolling mill. At right is a photo of the beginning of the weaving process.

Right: 18-gauge copper wire was passed through the rolling mill, with various textured plastic and metal sheets on top to vary the surfaces. Below, the "scarf" around the face displays a texture also achieved using the rolling mill. The two small holes seen at the top are part of the cold connection I will use to assemble the piece.


The face is not yet painted and the bezel is untrimmed,

What remains to finish this piece includes trimming and filing the back piece around the bezel, forming and inserting a bail in the top, epoxying the body into the bezel then making the cold connections, and painting the face.

This component (left) is the beginning of a "crown" piece that will pass through the two upper scarf holes for part of the cold connection. This piece has since been scalloped, filed and polished, so I think it will look good, tying in the polished edges of the back piece with the front. I plan to work some silver decoration into the lower scarf area, for color more contrast than in just the face.

Until next time!

2017-05-18T08:50:00.002-05:00

Tourmaline, Apatite, Labradorite and Freshwater Pearl 2-Strand Bracelet

Tourmaline, apatite, labradorite and freshwater pearls come together in a darling 2-strand bracelet. A handmade copper button with rich enamel coloring slips through 2mm chocolate brown leather to clasp on your wrist. Sterling rings secure the strands and show off Sterling dangles with pyrite and hematite beads. Bracelet length is 7-1/2 inches. By Lisa.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-05-12T09:05:00.002-05:00

Fine Silver Leaves Statement Ring Size 8.5

This fine silver ring is made completely using metal clay. The disc top of the ring features a random leaf design and the band is hefty with soft rounded edges for superior comfort while wearing. The top of the ring 7/8" in diameter. The band is approximately 1/8" wide. I love working with sterling silver but sometimes I like to feel the clay in my hands and love the varied things you can create with it! I hope you like it! Lisa.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-05-01T09:12:00.005-05:00

Hand Carved Polymer Sun Face Pendant

Hand Carved Polymer Sun Face Pendant is paired with earthy Japanese seed beads and a Sterling toggle. Necklace length is 16 inches with the pendant measuring 1 inch in diameter. The polymer sun face has applied color and a sealer added, and is backed with a hand cut and dot-textured copper disc. Handmade with love by Shauna.

For sale at Beadoholique Bead Shop #handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-24T09:25:00.001-05:00

Abalone Pearl Amazonite 3-Strand Bracelet

Abalone Pearl Amazonite 3-Strand Bracelet with handmade Sterling silver clasp. Beautiful abalone beads (15mm) match up beautifully with freshwater pearls (7mm) and green ammonite 4mm round beads. The Sterling silver hook clasp is completely handmade. Bracelet length is 7-1/2 inches. By Lisa.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-20T08:57:00.002-05:00

Rhodolite Garnets with 24k Gold in Sterling Silver Brooch

This piece came together in an effort to use some odd shapes that I had left over from other designs. I have made pieces before that were feminine clothing so it was a natural to do another vest! I seem to like making those best! Two mirror sterling pieces connected with textured sterling wire that has 24k Gold bonded using the primitive Asian technique of keum boo. Two rhodolite garnets accent each side. The pin is held in place with swirls at the vest top. This was made in a class I taught and we all had so much fun creating our pieces! By Lisa.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-18T08:57:00.001-05:00

Blue Girl Face in Resin with Aluminum Wire and Beads Necklace

Blue girl face in resin with aluminum wire and beads necklace features a wonderful drawing by Shauna. I just love her face! She is set in resin and surrounded with glitter and silver bezel and aluminum textured wire. The bail is handmade from Sterling wire and black hex seed beads set off the bright blue teardrops. The pendant measures 1-3/4" x 1" and the overall length of the necklace is 22 inches.

For sale at Beadoholique Bead Shop #handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-15T09:24:00.003-05:00

Aqua Chalcedony Sterling and 24k Gold Pendant

Sterling silver pendant (about 2" long, 1/2" wide at the bottom), hand cut and textured. Handmade bezel captures a 6mm aqua chalcedony cabochon - I cut the back out under the cab so the light will shine through. The bottom of the pendant is kissed with a touch of 24k gold foil, which was applied using the ancient Asian technique called Keum Boo. The handmade Sterling bezel is riveted on with 16g Sterling silver wire. Sterling 1mm cable chain and spring ring finish the piece. Overall length approximately 18.5". By Lisa.

For sale at Beadoholique Bead Shop #handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-14T09:05:00.002-05:00

Red Coral Cabochon Sterling Silver Ring

Red coral cabochon Sterling silver ring features a stunning 18mm coral cabochon set in sterling silver with scalloped fine silver bezel wire and wide band. The band is gently textured for a one-of-a-kind look. Size 7. By Lisa.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-13T09:28:00.001-05:00

Heat Patina Copper and Turquoise Dangle Earrings

Playing with fire is a favorite thing of mine to do and heating copper to bring out rich colors is so, so awesome! Ok, details. The triangles at the bottom are about 1" at the widest part. They are slightly domed to give dimension. The top disc is about a half inch in diameter and are also slightly domed. The copper pieces are lightly textured along the edges and have been protected so as to keep the wonderful patina. A 3mm turquoise bead of outstanding color is wire wrapped to connect the copper pieces. Handmade Sterling ear wires add the finishing touch. By Lisa.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-12T09:19:00.004-05:00

Leather and Sterling Silver Flower Button Choker Necklace

This darling little choker is made with supple 1.5mm natural brown round leather. The loop end, which you secure around the handmade sterling silver flower bead, is secured with a sterling cord slide. Choker size approximately 16.5 inches long. Sweet! By Lisa.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-11T09:18:00.002-05:00

Peace Sign Silver Earrings

Handmade peace sign earrings crafted from Sterling silver wire. Overall length is approximately 3 inches. Peace sign is about 1/2 inch wide. By Lisa. Peace everyone!

F#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-08T09:16:00.001-05:00

Silver Woven Puff Heart Necklace

I do not own a hydraulic press so this puff heart was achieved using acrylic as the form. It's a fun process and could be done with any material that you can cut or carve a shape into. The silver was put through a rolling mill first to impress the lovely texture. It was then formed and cut. Sterling wire was then shaped around the heart and they were woven together with more Sterling wire. Riveted bail holds the pendant to the chain and a tassel swings freely below the heart. Approximately 19 inches long. Sterling heart lobster claw secures it around your neck. By Lisa.

For sale at Beadoholique Bead Shop #handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-06T08:28:00.002-05:00

Texas Star Banded Pendant on Sterling Silver Chain

The Texas Star Banded pendant, first created for our earrings of the same name, is now home on a sterling necklace. The fine silver star with encircling band has become a bonafide Texas symbol--so show your inner Texan! The fine silver pendant hangs on an 18" sterling silver chain with sterling hook clasp. Handcrafted by Shauna.

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry

2017-04-05T09:25:00.001-05:00

Flower Bell Earrings in Bronze & Sterling

It is almost back to nature for spring time! At least in Texas.....

Simple and pretty little bronze bells hang from hammered sterling silver loops in these handmade earrings. Bell flowers are made from bronze clay and crafted by Alone Star Jewelry. Sterling silver wire is hammered 'round the loop except where the flower hangs. Sterling ear wires on top.

A perfect springtime pair of earrings with a natural look! Inspired by lily of the valley flowers that come early in springtime in my back yard, don't they also look like tulips..?..

Photos show dimensions; the loop measures approximately 1.13" and the earring's total length top to bottom is about 1.88". Little bell flower has a nice thickness to it, but is not heavy at all because it is hollow.

Thanks for looking!

Shauna

#handcraftedjewelry #silversmith #metalwork #alonestarjewelry #texasjewelry #beachjewelry #southwestjewelry #leatherjewelry #turquoisejewelry