Classic box bracelet
This classic box bracelet design has been made using a new approach by Tracy Spurgin.
The Artist
Tracey Spurgin
Tracey delivers a full programme of silver clay workshops in a variety of venues from the North West to the Yorkshire regions. She prides herself on running high quality courses in a relaxing atmosphere. If you are interested in finding a course near you with qualified tutors, log onto www.artclayworld.org.uk
Tools & Materials
Note all ring measurements are inside diameter.
- 40g silver art clay
- 1mm spacer bar
- 1.5mm spacer bar
- Texture plates 2x small screw eyes
- 2x1cm jump rings
- Roller
- Syringe type
- Badger balm or olive oil
- Water
- Cling film
- Craft knife or tissue blade
- Sanding papers or grits
- Wire brush
- Small file
- Paint brush
- Gas hob
- Mesh grid
- Burnisher
- Liver of sulphur
- 2cm square cookie cutter
- 1cm square cookie cutter
Step 1
Prepare the clay by placing it onto cling film. Spread the clay out to give a larger surface area in the cling film. Add a dab of water and fold the clay wet side to wet side in on itself. Continue to fold the clay in half to disperse the water evenly in the clay.
Step 2
Use 2 identical texture plates. Coat them well with a little olive oil, then sandwich the clay and spacer bars between the texture plates. Roll out to texture both sides of the clay.
Step 3
Use the 2 square cutters to cut out the links. Repeat the process until there are 9 links. Embed a small screw eye into one side of one of the links, then use a small amount of clay to create the bar. Once again, embed a small screw eye into the bar. These form the toggle and bar fastening. They will then need to be dried in the oven at 130°C for 20 minutes.
Step 4
Once dry, file and sand the edges of the links until smooth. Prepare the work surface once again. This time use the 1mm spacer bars and with a tissue blade or craft knife, cut a strip of clay 0.8mm wide. Remove and store the excess clay.
Step 5
Rest the dried square links on the 1mm spacer bars either side of the clay strip. Thread the soft clay strip through the 2 square links. Use 2 cocktail sticks to space the square links apart. Rub a generous amount of badger balm on to the cork clay spacer then place the small cork clay spacer over the cocktail sticks.
Step 6
Wrap the clay strip around the prepared cork clay spacer. Cut a diagonal line across the clay and use paste or syringe to seal the join. Smooth over the join with a damp finger. Once again dry in the oven at 130°C for 20 minutes.
Step 7
When this is dry, remove the cocktail sticks and cork spacer. Now fill, file and sand the piece until it is perfect, using sanding grits and files. Repeat the previous two steps until all the links have been joined.
Step 8
Ensure the piece is dry before it is fired. This could be fired on a gas hob, with a torch, over a metal grid or in a kiln. Quench in water. Polish with a wire brush. To hand polish use polishing grits or use a polishing machine if you have one.
Step 9
To complete the piece, use the jumprings to link the bar fastening to the last square link, then oxidise with Liver of Sulphur in a little warm water. Finish with a little silver polish and cloth and buff up to a high shine.
how to wear your bracelet
A modern arty handmade bracelet deserves well cut, statement clothing. Let the designer within express herself and dare to be different. Geometric patterns, unusual fasteners, pleats, appliqué and textured finishes.
black manhattan leather belt
Natural pleat waist-tie trouser
silver cami & pagoda jacket
mock croc turnlock handbag
from primark
Tracey's tips
- Prepare some cork clay spacers 1 or 2 days in advance. Roll out some cork clay 1mm thick and cut into small 1cm squares using the cookie cutters
Resources
Project kits are available on request. Contact details for further information on all workshops are listed below.
Contact details
website: www.craftworx.co.uk
email: tracey@craftworx.co.uk