Lorena Angulo

Happy Summer to all !!

2012-06-03T12:53:00.000-05:00

I am so sorry I have been so quiet in my blog this year. Lots of new opportunities are coming my way and I have been very busy. I can not say that I am sad about it because I am learning so much and having a great time, but I do missed writing in the blog and sharing with all of you what I am doing.
The kids are out of school now and we are getting ready to spend a wonderful summer with them. They did a great job at school and deserve to have a trip maybe next month.
What are your plans for summer? Are you traveling or taking any classes?
I will be going to the last PMC Conference at the end of this month and although I am sad because it will be the last, I can not wait to be there and see again wonderful friends and meet some of them for the first time.
If you are going to the PMC Conference, SEE YOU THERE !!
I am also teaching a class at SSA in July, my class name is PMC3: Making a Hollow Ring.
I have also been busy making new pieces and working more with Sterling PMC, I am very happy about this type of metal clay.

Here are some of my new pieces.

FAMILIA (Family)
©2012 Lorena Angulo
PMC3 and Sterling

FOLK BIRD
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Sterling PMC and Sterling chain

LOVEBIRDS
©2012 Lorena Angulo

I have also been working on some pieces I will display at the Dia de los Muertos: La Ofrenda altar at SSA. I was invited to be the lead artists and I am enjoying making these pieces and much more to come for that event.

Metal Clay & Color

2012-05-23T14:29:00.000-05:00

I am very happy to share with all of you that I am part of a wonderful new book coming up this summer. I was invited to be part of a group of artists who will share projects made with metal clay and different mediums to add color. The book's name is Metal Clay & Color by Kalmbach Books and complied by Mary Wohlgemuth.

20 leading artists (Janet Alexander, Lorena Angulo, Lorrene Baum-Davis, Maggie Bergman, Pat Bolgar, Susan Breen Silvy, Barbara Briggs, Sandra Butchko, Catherine Davies Paetz, Pam East, Joy Funnell, Vickie Hallmark, Hadar Jacobson, Patricia Kimle, Irina Miech, Kim Otterbein, Cindy Pankopf, Cindy Silas, Jewelyn Vanoni and Michela Verani ) contributed ideas and projects for adding color to metal clay.

I created two projects for the book with bronzclay and added color using Creative paperclay and Gilders Paste, I will also have some images of my work for the gallery.

I am sure you will be inspired by the 25 projects included in the book.

Humor in Craft by Brigitte Martin

2012-05-23T08:08:00.000-05:00

Since I learned about the title of this book, I was very curious to see what the book was going to be about.
Humor in Craft is a wonderful book showcasing incredible pieces of art, the title could not be more perfect. The author Brigitte Martin, who is the creator and editor of Crafthaus , features a wonderful array of art works from artists around the world.
The book itself is beautifully made and has great quality, a perfect book to have in any coffee table for everyone to enjoy.
Every page is filled with great images of pieces made with all different types of materials and mediums, each representing the personal way every artists views and makes humor be part of their work.
Schiffer books is known for publishing very nice gallery type books and this one is no exception.
Brigitte Martin did a great job putting together this beautiful book, it is definitively a book to have in any art studio or home of anyone who enjoys and appreciates art.

I am the Lead Artist for Dia de los Muertos: La Ofrenda at Southwest School of Art

2012-05-07T10:03:00.002-05:00

It is a great honor to have been invited to be the Lead Artist for Dia de los Muertos: La Ofrenda at the wonderful Southwest School of Art in San Antonio, Texas.

I am very happy to have the opportunity to share this wonderful tradition from my country, Mexico, with all the community in San Antonio.

Southwest School of Art has been doing the altars for years and this time I will lead this wonderful event.

The invitation came at the best moment for me after having a very difficult summer in 2011 when I lost three very important family members.

This will give me the incredible opportunity to make a day of the dead altar to honor them and all my other family members that are not with us any more in body, but they will always be with us in spirit.

I will make my best to transmit why the altars are so important in our culture and why we see dead in a totally different way.

Hope you will come to see it if you live in San Antonio and the surrounding areas, I will love to see you there.

New pieces in my Arbol de Vida Collection

2012-04-26T20:23:00.000-05:00

Since I started making and designing my jewelry I have been making various trees of life in different forms. I always love the symbolic meaning of the "Arbol de Vida" and it has been my passion to make them all the time.

The tree of life represent the union between earth and heaven. It was said that the founder gods in Mexico came down to earth through the trees. I love to make them using flowers and birds because they represent new life, hope and love.

My latest piece is going to be a necklace and I am still working in it. It gives me joy to see this piece come alive little by little.

My other pieces in this collection are one more brooch and earrings. Every piece I design is unique and have the same feeling of nostalgia about the wonderful folk art from my beautiful country, Mexico.

Amor
©2012 Lorena Angulo
PMC3 (silver)

Arbol de Vida Esperanza
(tree of life hope)
©2012 Lorena Angulo
PMC3 (silver)

The making of my "Tree of Life" brooch

2012-04-14T13:02:00.000-05:00

Going back to my first days when I played with metal clay, I still remember how confusing this material was for me at the beginning. I already started taking silversmithing classes at Southwest School of Art and my mind was use to the rough playing with hammers, jeweler saws and metal sheets. Metal clay was such a confusion but I knew I will like it.

I played with metal clay two or three times and then I just decided to leave it on the side and focus on my metalsmithing work. It was until I took a casting class that I totally understood what this wonderful new material will do for me.

Casting is an option but I did not have the equipment to do it in my home, this is why metal clay was the perfect option.

I love to hand sculpt and carve and metal clay will give me the amazing opportunity to make pieces I have always had in my design note book. My designs are very three dimensional and with lots of details, metal clay will make all my ideas come to reality.

Since that day I have not been able to stop creating with metal clay, I still do some fabrication work but most of my pieces are made with metal clay. I absorbed myself into this way of working with the material, time can fly by and I feel like I have only been minutes working. I am so relax and happy hand sculpting and carving every detail in all my work and finally yesterday I finished my first brooch I made with my tree of life design.

The Tree of Life (Arbol de Vida) is one of my symbolic pieces, I have made it into earrings, pendants, necklaces and cuffs. Now it was my turn to make it as a brooch.

I am a passionate about detailing my work with a lot of attention in every side of my pieces. Spending time to make nice and clean finishing in the front is as important as taking your time to do the same on the back. I am not only talking about having a secret detail on the back, I am talking about having a clean and nice finishing. Craftsmanship is very important and we all must take our time to do so.

ARBOL DE VIDA
©2012 Lorena Angulo
PMC3

My Reliquary Collection 2012

2012-03-27T10:29:00.000-05:00

I am so happy to share with you all about this new project I am working on this year. I started drawing reliquary designs a while ago but it was until now that I started to make them.

I can honestly tell you that the time I have spent making them has been a great journey. I only draw a small idea in paper but the actual finished project comes alive while I am working with it. I design following my heart and most of the time ideas just flow in the moment.

I have spent whole nights working but very happy !!!

Here I will show you my first finished necklace in this new collection.

Flaming Heart Reliquary
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Silver

Flaming Heart Reliquary
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Silver
(front and back view)

Teaching at La Ruche Davis Teaching Studio

2012-03-14T17:07:00.002-05:00

I am happy to announce I will be teaching in the Washington, D.C. area on May 19 and 20 at La Ruche Davis Studio.

This is my first time teaching in this area and I am very happy to go there and share my passion for working with metal clay.

If you live in the area, I will love to meet you and have you in my class.

Love,
Lorena

A wonderful get together with friends

2012-03-02T12:22:00.000-06:00

I just had a wonderful long weekend with three incredible friends and artists. After all I have been this last year I was very eager to have this play time with them.

Lora Hart came to visit us from California, her first stop was in Austin where Vickie Hallmark lives, I met with them the following day and we sure had a super great time.

Vickie's home is beautiful and her studios and her where very inspirational. As soon as I got into her home I got into action and joined Lora in the enameling adventure.

We tried to get a picture with all of us together but it was not an easy task,
as you can see in these images.

We sure laughed a lot trying to get one decent image!

Enameling was super fun, Vickie showed us how to enamel with a torch and use enamel paintings. It was incredible to see how easy and fast you can be able to add so much color and at the same time draw with enamels.

These are the pieces I painted with enamels, I sure know I have lots to practice still but to consider we made them in such a short period of time, I am happy with them.

Yes, I had to add lots of color.
It is impossible for me to be plain.

These are very small and I have no clue
how I was able to draw in such a small area.
That is my finger holding one of them!

Vickie also showed us how to make an inspirational book.

Vickie Hallmark, our teacher !

Lora Hart busy working.

Ready to start drawing !

Our next adventure was in San Antonio, I took them to some great galleries in the city and one of our fist stops was Equinox Gallery where we met the wonderful Laura Wood.

Laura came home to watch the Oscars with us and also to talked with us about her paper work and how she makes it.

Thanks Laura for sharing this with us !!

My husband was very happy to cook for us all.

Thanks my dear husband for the yummy food
you made for us ! ♥

Thank you Lora for coming to Texas to visit us, it was great to see you again and to see you create with us !! You are a talented Lady !! ♥
Thanks to Vickie and Laura for sharing your talent and for the laughter !! ♥

If you want see Lora's and Vickie's blog post about this adventure, click in the links.
Lora Hart's Blog
Vickie Hallmark's Blog

Art Clay Scotland Jewellery Studio

2012-02-22T18:43:00.000-06:00

I am very happy and honored to be one of the artists invited to exhibit my work at the beautiful Art Clay Scotland Jewellery Studio.
Emma Baird, who is an incredible artist, invited me to be part of her gallery.
The opening night will be on February 25 from 6 to 8 pm at Art Clay Scotland Jewellery Studio.

These are some of my pieces you can see there.

Remembrance Necklace

2012-02-20T15:25:00.000-06:00

This necklace is very close to my heart. My family had a very difficult year on 2011, we lost three important members of our family in less than 3 months during the summer. Losing them was very painful and I lost the interest in making new pieces or designs. My heart was sad but little by little I have regained my passion for making and drawing my jewelry designs.

I made this necklace as a remembrance of my Soul-Brother Alberto, my Grandmother Felicitas and my dear Mother-in-law Ana Maria. To represent them in my necklace I decided to make three butterflies, each butterfly represents the soul of my dear family members who are now in a better place. In Mexico the butterfly symbolizes the soul of our family member who passed away.

The tree of life who is the center of my piece symbolizes the family and even though the pain is very hard we have to continue with our life and always have them in our hearts. On the back side of the piece I added the heart symbolizing our passion, love, gratitude and respect for them and for continuing with our life and their love they left behind.

Remembrance
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Bronze, coral and chrysocolla

Remembrance
(close up)
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Bronze, coral and chrysocolla

Remembrance
(back view)
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Bronze, coral and chrysocolla

Remembrance
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Bronze, coral and chrysocolla

Playing with the SpeedFire ElectricMini Kiln

2012-02-13T08:48:00.001-06:00

I got the SpeedFire ElectricMini Kiln a while ago and I wanted to play with it and see how this mini kiln works.

As the name says, it is very small, I was surprised to see how light and small the kiln is. The firing chamber is 3 1/2" high, 4 5/8" wide and 4 5/8" deep.

I was very eager to try Sterling PMC and FastFire Bronzclay. My first pieces were sterling pmc.

ALCATRAZ
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Sterling PMC

BIRD NEST
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Sterling PMC

CRUZ CORAZON
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Sterling PMC

MILAGROS
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Sterling PMC

I was more than happy to see this mini kiln is able to fire FastFire Bronzclay !
Here is what I have fired in the SpeedFire ElectricMini Kiln:

CROWN HEART
©2012 Lorena Angulo
FastFire Bronzclay

Can you see how I bend one of the pieces?
It did not broke !

I am happy with how this kiln works, if you are on a budget or have limited space on your studio; this can be the perfect match for you.
You are limited with the space in how many pieces you will be able to fire but if you do not produce lots of pieces at once, this is a great kiln to have.
You can find all the instructions for this kiln in this link:
http://www.spcimages.com/MCS/SFEM-Instructions.pdf

Keep playing, keep creating !!

Love,
Lorena

Powder Coating class with Michael Dale Bernard

2012-02-12T19:20:00.000-06:00

I just had the most amazing and fun class this weekend. Michael Dale Bernard came to Southwest School of Art to teach Powder Coating.

I was very excited to learn this great technique because I love to add color to my work without using beads or stones.

Powder coating is a thermo set, polymer paint process. The coated is applied electro-statically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow out into a smooth, durable surface.

Here is a great video Michael has about this topic:

The class was intensive but we all had such a great time. Michael is an incredible artists and a very good teacher, he was always willing to answer all the questions the students had.

The first day of the class Michael let us used some of his found metal objects to start playing with powder coating. We were all eager to start adding some colors. Here you can see some examples that I made with the metal objects he let us used.

These two pieces are still in progress. I will make some
bronze metal clay pieces that will be riveted in the
center to attach all the pieces together.

For the second day I wanted to make something with my own creative style. Of course I had to create a heart and also I decided to powder coat some pieces I had for a necklace I am making.

I am still working in this piece. I am making a necklace using a beautiful
button that was embroidered by Ellen Louwes.
(Copper, Embroidered button , powder coat.)

I am very excited to keep on playing with powder coating, the equipment is not very expensive and I can see myself doing much more of this in the future.

Michael photographed this picture of
my piece.

Love my new hand made silk scarfs by Yuni Kristina from Java.

2012-02-04T16:48:00.001-06:00

I was very happy to go back to a wonderful site that I used to order some beautiful hand made craft for my retail store. Sadly for me I had to close the retail store and I missed seeing all the fantastic work made my incredible artisans from around the world.
The name of this site is NOVICA. Novica, in association with national Geographic, works in direct contact with lots of master artisans in Latin America, Africa and Asia. They help these artisans bring their wonderful creations and their life stories to collectors everywhere.
This time I decided to buy something for me, something I can use and at the same time help the artisan who it. I look at all the great options they have in the site and I decided to buy two gorgeous silk scarfs made by Yuni Kristina from Java.

Yuni Kristina

Yuni learned the art of batik when she was very young, her mother is also a batik artist. She has been making batik at her home for 23 years, batik is part of her life.
Yuni started experimenting with techniques when she was 13 years old.
Her mother is her big inspiration and they both work together.

The silk scarfs are mailed from Bali and the shipping service is very good. It may take a few days for the items to get to the USA but I think it is worth the waiting.

When I received the package I was very excited to see the scarfs and I remember again how beautifully pack everything I have got from NOVICA is.

Each silk scarf was inside these beautiful hand made pouches with a
great tag and a small post card.

Look at those gorgeous colors and designs !!
I got the "Awakening" and "Brave Java" scarfs and I LOVE them !!

Each of the scarfs had a small tag attached to the pouch with a description of what the inspiration was for each of the designs.

Personally I believe in what NOVICA is doing to help other artisans around the world and since I can not buy a lot of the pieces for store any more I was happy to go back and get these gorgeous scarfs made by Yuni, I will love to wear them and I am sure this will not be the last time I buy something from them.

Come and take a look at these wonderful items:

scarves

womens shawls from Peru

women's accessories from Indonesia

batik shawls

winter clothing

kimonos

More playing time with Sterling PMC

2012-01-25T13:33:00.000-06:00

Finally I had the time to play again in my studio and create jewelry. I have been busy with some personal issues and with lots of paperwork, I really missed playing again !!

I wanted to make a brooch with Sterling PMC .One of my signature pieces, Sacred/Milagro Heart, that I love to create was my option for this brooch.

This time I change a little my firing schedule on the second stage (charcoal). Instead of firing for 45 minutes like I did in my first time playing with Sterling PMC, I decided I will fired the brooch for 1 and a half hour at 1500F.

The brooch came out perfectly and I will continue to fire my pieces the longest time I can do for the second stage.

SACRED/MILAGRO Heart
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Sterling PMC

SACRED/MILAGRO Heart (back)
©2012 Lorena Angulo
Sterling PMC

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Love,

Lorena Angulo

Sharing some tips for a good display in your booth

2012-01-21T00:59:00.000-06:00

To capture the attention of the people to come to your table or booth, it is very important to display banners or images of some of your pieces in the walls of your booth. They have to be big enough for people to see them from far away. It is important to make banners or posters with one piece or a small set of pieces per poster or banners. Do not over fill the banners with lots of pieces because it will be overwhelming and they will not bring people to your booth. Try to avoid adding your name in the banners because when you have to apply for some juried shows, they cannot see your name in the booth shot you will be sending in your application. It is better to make a single banner with your name and take it out of the picture when you submit for art show.

Keep your jewelry displays neutral and very clean looking, we want the jewelry to be the star and not the displays.

One of the most important things to have in your table or booth is a mirror or mirrors. You need to have something that is big enough for a client to see themselves from the chest up. Buying jewelry is a first love thing and if you have the space where they can see how the jewelry will look on them, you will be very close to closing a sale than if you did not have a mirror.The mirror(s) need to be very simple and heavy enough for them not to fall down in case you are in a show outdoors and it is very windy. Remember you are selling your jewelry, not the mirror; this is why you have to get a simple and not decorated mirror. I used to have two beautiful mirrors at the beginning but after the 10th person making comments about them and wanting to know where did I get them, I got the message and they where gone on my next show. ;o)

Lighting is very important to be able to display and show your jewelry. If you have access to electricity in your shows you have to think in bringing good lighting for jewelry. This is going to make your jewelry pop-up and showed the details much better. Be careful to not blind your customers with the lights, check the displays and be sure the lighting is correct.

You must present your jewelry to your clients when they buy your work in the best possible way you can. Spending money in buying good jewelry boxes is totally worth it and there are lots of options to buy boxes that are cheaper but look very expensive. You created your work with love and you must give it away in the same way. You have to show respect for your craft and your client. Make the boxes more personal by adding your name or logo on the top and if it is possible, write a small bio for the inside. They love to have more information about the artist who made the piece.

And last but not least,SMILE and have a GOOD attitude. You are representing your work and no matter how tired you are, if the show is not very good, if you are not selling a lot; you always have to keep you beautiful smile and be nice and friendly to everyone. Your attitude is an important factor in how much you can sell and if the customers will be remembering you. Please, do not eat in front of the customers and stay sitting in a chair. You have to have direct eye contact with your customers and sitting in a chair is not going to make that possible. You also have to dress nicely. I have seen a lot of incredible artists who do not take care on how they look and that is not going to give a nice impression to your future clients.

Here you have some links where you can find banners and jewelry boxes.
I get my jewelry boxes at NOBLE.
I got my banners at FEDEX and VISTAPRINT. (I found out after I ordered my first banners in Fedex that VistaPrint has the same quality and they are cheaper.)

Love,

Lorena Angulo

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A look from Behind

2012-01-10T18:41:00.001-06:00

I have always thought that the back of any jewelry piece is as important as the front. I always try to have something on the back of my pieces as a surprise for the wearer and also because I think it says a lot about the maker.
Most of the work I do has a detail on the back, I enjoy very much doing it.

CRUZ PASION (front and back view)
©2011 Lorena Angulo
Pure silver (PMC3), sterling and LOS patina

Soulful Heart (front and back view)
©2011 Lorena Angulo
Bronzclay, brass and coral

MILAGRO HEART pendant (front and back view)
©2010 Lorena Angulo
Pure Silver (PMC3) and LOS patina

CORAZON (front and back view)
©2009 Lorena Angulo
Brass and copper

Lately I started making brooches but I was very curious to see how other artists where making their pin backs and the back of their designs. I looked for inspiration everywhere but it was very hard to find images of the back side of the brooches.
Because I had a difficult time finding images of the back view of brooches I started thinking it will be great if I can create a collection of images from other artists as an inspirational tool.

I finally did it in my Pinterest page, I created a board about the back view of brooches called "Behind the brooch."

Come and take a look at the wonderful work by these artists. I am sure you will find it very interesting and helpful.

I took a class with the talented Gary Schott at Southwest School of Art and I learned how to make my first pin back with him. It was fun and I know I have to practice much more to feel more comfortable making my own pin backs and also start thinking of different ways I can design my own.

Back view of my first time making a pin back.
©2011 Lorena Angulo
Copper and steel wire

I also work a lot with metal clay and took the challenge to make my own pin back and pendant finding for my piece.

Back view of my first brooch/pendant combo
in pure silver (PMC3)
©2011 Lorena Angulo

How do you approach the design of your work ? Do you do something special for the back side? I will love to find out what your ideas about this topic are and if you want me to share an image of your back view of a brooch, let me know and I will add it to my board.

Love,
Lorena Angulo
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Kubiak Gallery

2012-01-06T04:46:00.000-06:00

I am very happy to have some of my paintings and a paper figurine in Kubiak Gallery. This beautiful gallery is located in Douglas, Michigan and was founded by Kim Kubiak (a wonderful ceramist) in 2008.

If you live in the area you can come and visit this nice gallery and see my work and all the great pieces the gallery has from other artists.

Catrina "Carmelita"
©2011 Lorena Angulo
Paper clay, acrylics and watercolors

These are the three paintings the
gallery is showing.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

2012-01-05T14:41:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year 2012 !!!!!!

Yes, I know I am 5 days late for this but for me this is the first day of the year.

I have been very sick with a cold that had me miserable for more than 5 days, I spent most of the first days of the year sleeping and taking medicine but THANK GOD I am ALIVE and feeling MUCH better.
This is how I looked all the time and I felt like that too. It is incredible how my eyes are so sad, I told myself this is my time to take a rest that I know I needed because the last couple of months have been very intense for me.
I am finally able to come to my studio, or what looks like my studio under all the mess I made during those Holidays Shows.

Now I am ready to start this new year with all my energy and with a positive attitude no matter what comes my way. 2011 was a year that gave me a lot of incredible opportunities and happiness but also has been a very challenging year too. We lost three members of my family in less than 4 months and some other issues that I am still trying to survive, I have faith that whatever our destiny has planned for me, my husband and my kids it will always be for the better.

I am thankful for the support I got from family and friends, THANKS to all of you for your kind words and for being there for us. ♥

I have lots of things I want to start doing and creating, I can not wait to see what new things come my way. For now I decided to make my first piece of jewelry for this year and I made my favorite accessory, earrings !!

I can not go anywhere if I am not wearing earrings, I am so obsess with them that I keep a pair in my car just in case I forget to put some or in case something happens to the ones I am wearing. ;o) Yes, I know I am a little crazy but earrings make me HAPPY.

You see? I am HAPPY !!!

Still a little sick but happy.

LUNA (Moon)
©2012 Lorena Angulo
FastFire Bronzclay, copper wire, sterling, turquoise and red coral

Blessing to all and I want to wish you a fantastic year !!!

Love,
Lorena Angulo

Happy Holidays and a great New Year !

2011-12-24T07:53:00.000-06:00

I want to wish you all a wonderful holiday season and all the blessings, health, love and work for the new year.Thank you for reading my blog and being part of my artistic life. I have loved reading your comments !Peace and love for all.

Love, Lorena Angulo

The best little gifts for any art book lover: Lark Studio Series

2011-12-15T11:31:00.000-06:00

I am so happy to share with you these little treasures.
As I mentioned before in my blog, I am a big lover of books and these small books are just the best I can imagine to give away to your friends and family.

Lark jewelry and beading had a great idea by making these small size books from their 500 Series.

The Lark Studio Series have 100 images from a corresponding title in the 500 Series. What I like best about these books is the beautiful pocket-sized, this makes them a perfect gift for this holidays and great stocking stuffers !
It is like having a tiny gallery in your hands !!

Each of the books have wonderful images and great print quality. You will love to see each one of them, the work is so inspirational and beautiful. No matter what type of medium you use, you will love them all.

My little Catrinas: Veronica, Dolores and Carmelita

2011-12-12T13:19:00.001-06:00

I finally finished my little Catrinas and I am very happy to see them with their own personalities and charm.

I present to you my "Little Catrinas."

Here you can see better their faces.

Before and after images.

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PMC Sterling

2011-12-11T17:49:00.001-06:00

I got the great opportunity to play with the new PMC Sterling in November and I will love to share with all of you my experience and what I think about this new type of clay.
The clay looks very similar to the PMC Pro, the color is darker than the original PMC.

When I took the clay out I noticed the texture is great and very easy to work with, I decided to make a ring first and I made a snake with some of the clay to form the band for the ring. I used a plexiglass to make a long snake and I rolled it around a mandrel.

I went 3.5 sizes bigger to get the size I was looking for, a size 9.

I do not used any inserts in my ring when I fired it.

The PMC Sterling has a longer working time than the PMC3 (this is the type of clay I usually use in all my silver work.) In case the clay gets dry, you can add a little water and it gets soft very fast, almost immediately.

Carving is also great in this type of clay, it goes very easy. This is something I was very eager to try since most of my work has carving into the designs.

It carves very smoothly and with no problems at all.

TIP: Always save the carving scraps, these can make a great texture in your work, you will see it in my finished pieces at the end of this post.

Hand sculpting and forming is fantastic because the clay does not dry fast. This gives you the perfect time to hand form flowers or other things. I hand sculpt a lot in my work and I was very happy to see how easy it is to do it with PMC Sterling.

I also made earrings and a pendant. For the earrings I decided to add some fire in place CZs and I embedded two sterling jump rings into each earring.

I used my carving scraps to add texture in my heart pendant.

Because my pieces were more than 3mm thick I decided to fire them to a longer time that the suggested time in the package.

I first fired them in the open shelf, like we do with any other type of PMC (except PMC Pro), fast ramp to 1000F and hold there for 40 minutes. I waited until the pieces were cool inside the kiln; I also waited until the pieces were cool because I had fired two CZ Hessonite Garnets and we always have to be careful not to take the pieces very fast because the change of temperature may crack the stones.

The second firing was done with a steel pot and activated carbon. I added half an inch at the bottom and added my pieces in one layer, covered them with another half an inch and added the top of the pot.

I fired them inside the pot fast ramp to 1500F and hold for 45 minutes.

I left the pieces cool down inside the pot in the kiln before I took them out.

This is how the sterling looks like when you take them out of the kiln

I brushed them with soapy water and a brass brush. After this I added LOS Gel patina and brushed some of the patina off before I added the pieces inside a tumbler.

I usually use a rotatory tumbler but this time I decided to give it a try to a magnetic tumbler. I was AMAZED at how fast this wonderful polishing machine can give your pieces a beautiful shine. I will have to start saving money to get myself a bigger size, since some of my pieces are bigger and do not fit in this size tumbler I have now. It is worth it !!!

These are all the pieces I made with 25 grams of PMC Sterling. They are not very thin, so if you make pieces that are thinner and small in size you will be able to make more out of the 25 grams of PMC Sterling.

The cost is very similar to the PMC3 and I feel it is great to have it like that. Now you will be able to create pieces that can be mark as .925 (sterling) and they will be stronger than fine silver.

I do want to mention I will be firing for almost two hours on the second step firing of the PMC Sterling. I want to be 100% sure they are totally fired to their best strength. I am saying this because I tested the little Calla Lily and I felt the piece was not fully sintered when I tried to curl up the point of the flower after fired. I will let you know of my future firings.

The pieces are beautiful and easy to polish and I am sure you will enjoy working with it.

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My little "Catrinas"

2011-12-05T08:30:00.001-06:00

I have been making little figurines with Creative Paperclay inspired in the dead of the dead lady figurines called, Catrinas. These are my own interpretation of the Catrinas and I am falling in love with all of them.
The first two I made were my Little Frida and Catrina, they both have new homes now.

What I like the most about making these figurines is that every time I hand sculpt one, they each have their own personalities. I never draw a design when I start, I like to create them in the moment, this way they tell me how they will like to look like. Yes, I know it sounds crazy but that is how I feel when I sculpt them.

My first step is to hand form the heads, I think the form of the head guides me in how the "catrina" will end up looking.

Depending on the form and size of the head, I hand sculpt the bodies that I will attach to the heads. As soon as I have the bodies, I can start visualizing the dresses.

Little by little they start coming alive and it makes my heart warm and very happy to see them transformed in from of my eyes.

I will post later the three finished pieces. I can not wait to see how they will end up looking !!

Love,
Lorena

My last shows of the year, 2011

2011-12-02T06:54:00.001-06:00

Today I am going to the Opening night of La Noche del Broche exhibition at the beautiful Equinox Gallery in La Villita. This exhibition will display 100 brooches from 86 artists and I am sure it is going to be incredible.

I can not wait to see the brooches and mine on display !

My next event for this month is the fantastic third Bracelet Show at Kathleen Sommers, I have been honored to be invited the three years in a raw. This is another wonderful event in San Antonio and a portion of the sales for the bracelets will go for the Scholarship Fund at Southwest School of Art.

On December 10 from 9:30 am to 5 pm, I will be at Articopia in the beautiful Ursuline Campus of Southwest School of Art. This is my third year participating in this wonderful show.
I am always very happy to be part and to promote this beautiful art school in San Antonio, if you have not been there this is a great opportunity to visit.

My last show of the year will be at the University of the Incarnate Word, the Christmas Art and Craft Market on December 16 and 17. I am more than honored to see they chose two of my pieces to promote the event.

Wishing you all a BEAUTIFUL Holiday Season !!!!

Love,
Lorena Angulo