When I begin to make my ceramic clay hoops, I try to think about how the end piece will be used, then make it in thickness accordingly.
For earrings - lightweight is key.
For bracelets - durability is most important.
And necklace pendants and such fall in a place in-between.
I start with a lump of porcelain clay, and I either roll out small balls to texture, flatten, then cut out.
Or I grab one of my texture plates and roll out a flat slab of clay (sometimes I leave it untextured).
To speed up the process, I use a variety of round biscuit cutters (these are for clay use only and stay in the studio, away from food).
Then as I am making them I start to think not only how these will be used, but I also like to start to think about how I am going to fire these in my kiln to over 2232 degrees F.
Anything a glaze touches during this firing - it will fuse to.
So I like to add smaller holes so that I can suspend these from hooks on rods and not have the glaze touch anything except the clay where I want it to be.
I also like to make sure that the edges are sponged clean before they go into the first bisque firing. That way they have a nice smooth clean finish to them and so that I can remove as much excess clay as possible to lighten the pieces.
Just one quick insight on how I make some of my ceramic donuts.
Luckily with clay - the possibilities are endless!
Want to see some fabulous finished jewelry using these and some of my other ceramic pieces by talented jewelry designers?
Check out my Pinterest Board called: "Jewelry Designers Using Marsha Neal Studio Pieces"
Leave a comment with links to your work and I'll check back and pin it.
Here are some other handmade ceramic hoops by other artist friends that I admire:
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| Handmade rustic hoops by SlateStudiosSupply |
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| Fossil Hoop by Karen Totten of Starry Road Studio |
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| Wineberry Flower Toggle Hoop Clasp by Karen Totten of Starry Road Studio |
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| Hawaiian Blue Raku Textured Donut by Odddesignsnc |
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| Handmade Leaf Toggle by WhiteCloverKiln |
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| Rustic Stoneware Toggle by MaryHardingJewelry |
Thanks for taking a look at some unique handmade ceramic hoops.
Hope you will consider trying some in your next jewelry design!
2 comments:
I love all the variety! Thanks for showing the process.... I have been lacking a little ceramic bead making motivation......
What a splendidly marvelous collection! I'm a huge vintage brooch fan, too, and really began to build up my collection a serious way last year.
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