POLYMER CLAY TERMINOLOGY
Polymer Clay
Polymer Clay is a creative medium which can be moulded like traditional clay to create works of art and pieces of jewellery. It is available in a wide variety of colours and finishes (pearl, metallic etc). After moulding, it is heated in an oven to set the piece permanently.
Mokume Gane
Sheets of different coloured polymer clay are stacked and then manipulated by pushing implements into the stack to create an effect by moving colours between the layers. Gold, silver or copper leaf may be added between the layers of clay to add more appeal. A pattern is revealed as layers of the stack are sliced off with a blade.The name derives from a traditional Japanese technique of metal-smithing where layers of metal are folded many times.
Mica Shift
This technique only works with the metallic clays (i.e., those containing mica). A stamp is pressed into the surface of the clay, disturbing the mica particles and leaving an imprint of the image. When the raised part of the surface is removed with a blade, the image still remains below the surface.
STEAM PUNK
This art movement is “the past’s view of the future.” It reflects an 1850s-1910s view of what the future would look like given the materials/context they had… hence steam power, gears & cogs, etc. Characterised by a lot of designs integrating gears, steam power (hence, “steampunk”), and the like. Think Industrial Revolution meets the Space Age.
BEAD WEAVING TERMINOLOGY
Montee
A Swarovski diamante, in many different shades. It is drilled in a criss-cross manner for thread to pass through.
Rivoli
A Swarovski crystal with a point at the front and back, in a variety of different colours.
Druk
A Czech glass sphere which comes in different sizes.
Vitrail Crystal
Vitrail Medium is a special effect SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystal. A special coating is applied over half the bead which creates a metallic play of color on the outside, and amazing depth and flash inside the crystal. Because of its unique features, this crystal is impossible to capture in a photograph. It can only truly be appreciated in person.
AB Crystal
This is short for Aurora Borealis – a Swarovski crystal coating technique that gives a rainbow like effect.
PRECIOUS METAL CLAY (PMC)
A synthetic clay medium that contains precious metals (silver, gold). PMC can be formed into shapes, moulds or embellished with stamps. After drying, the PMC is fired in a kiln or with a butane torch. The heating process changes the clay to its precious metal form (e.g. silver). This process results in a solid metal work composed of a pure precious metal. So that, in the case of silver, Fine Silver (99.9% pure) is obtained.
GOLD FILLED
also known as “rolled gold” or “rolled gold plate” is composed of a solid layer of gold bonded with heat and pressure to a base metal such as brass. Some high quality gold-filled pieces have the same appearance as 14 Karat (58%) gold. Gold filled items are 50 to 100,00 times thicker than regular gold plating.