How To Make Porcelain Shards

Ok, so I love teaching.

I haven't done it in a while and I really miss it sometimes.

At bead shows I would talk to anyone that would listen to explain my process and try my best to explain how to use the pieces in a finished jewelry piece.

I remember how people always said "Marsha your booth is always packed with customers".

And my reply: "I love to talk to people, and I try to answer every question in detail, and boy can I talk..."

So I want to do some tutorials through my blog to help others feel a bit inspired.

I know I LOVE to see how other artists work in their studio.

Not to be able to replicate what they are doing, but for a jumping point...

So here it goes...

My first blog tutorial on making my porcelain shards...

This picture is one of my glazed shards that I've made into earrings (with Vintaj charms & findings).

The picture below is my work space which includes:

1. Some pieces drying on plastic lid (tray)

2. Plastic bag where I keep my clay moist while working

3. Texture plates (these are wood)

4. Fettling knife

5. Stylus tool

Here is a close up of the finished pieces drying on the lid.

Sorry it's a bit blurry... These pictures are from my phone.

The pieces are about 2-3" long each (I like not having exact measurements with these)...

So I cut off some clay from my wet clay roll and cut it into portions then roll it into a little ball.

I begin to roll it in between the textured wood pieces.

If I angle the wood, I can make a textured cone shape.

If the wood is kept parallel, the overall shape is more straight.

(This picture shows the wood parallel because I had to put it down to use my hands to take the picture, while the piece I was making is a cone shape).

But you get the idea right?

This picture below shows how random the textures can be from the same plate depending on how the plate lines up, the amount of pressure you apply, the way you apply it, and the condition of your clay (moist clay vs clay that isn't so moist and crumbles easier).

After I have some made, I will put a hole through one end with my stylus tool.

I push the hole through on both sides to make it a little more clean and even (but not too perfect).

And here are those pieces added to the original batch waiting to dry and be loaded into the kiln for the bisque firing.

I find that by working in batches, I tend to have a better success rate of pieces making it through the initial drying phase (to achieve "bone dry" state).

If you let pieces set for too long, then try to handle them, you will have a lot more breakage.

You can find these shards for purchase at my Marsha Neal Studio Booth #806 at Bead Fest Philadelphia and through my friend Darlene's table: D7 Studio at some smaller bead shows here in the North East.

Check back here with me after Bead Fest to see about a Blog Contest I'm going to have for people that want to make things with these shards...

(guess I'm going to have to offer them for sale somewhere and in some sort of grouping through Etsy too...)

If you like this post (and or my blog in general), and you have a blog, I'd really appreciate any extra added links back to my blog. I feel like I'm a bit behind with technology and want to catch up and appreciate any help your links could provide!

Have fun playing with beads and clay!!!

How To Make Porcelain Shards

Ok, so I love teaching.

I haven't done it in a while and I really miss it sometimes.

At bead shows I would talk to anyone that would listen to explain my process and try my best to explain how to use the pieces in a finished jewelry piece.

I remember how people always said "Marsha your booth is always packed with customers".

And my reply: "I love to talk to people, and I try to answer every question in detail, and boy can I talk..."

So I want to do some tutorials through my blog to help others feel a bit inspired.

I know I LOVE to see how other artists work in their studio.

Not to be able to replicate what they are doing, but for a jumping point...

So here it goes...

My first blog tutorial on making my porcelain shards...

This picture is one of my glazed shards that I've made into earrings (with Vintaj charms & findings).

The picture below is my work space which includes:

1. Some pieces drying on plastic lid (tray)

2. Plastic bag where I keep my clay moist while working

3. Texture plates (these are wood)

4. Fettling knife

5. Stylus tool

Here is a close up of the finished pieces drying on the lid.

Sorry it's a bit blurry... These pictures are from my phone.

The pieces are about 2-3" long each (I like not having exact measurements with these)...

So I cut off some clay from my wet clay roll and cut it into portions then roll it into a little ball.

I begin to roll it in between the textured wood pieces.

If I angle the wood, I can make a textured cone shape.

If the wood is kept parallel, the overall shape is more straight.

(This picture shows the wood parallel because I had to put it down to use my hands to take the picture, while the piece I was making is a cone shape).

But you get the idea right?

This picture below shows how random the textures can be from the same plate depending on how the plate lines up, the amount of pressure you apply, the way you apply it, and the condition of your clay (moist clay vs clay that isn't so moist and crumbles easier).

After I have some made, I will put a hole through one end with my stylus tool.

I push the hole through on both sides to make it a little more clean and even (but not too perfect).

And here are those pieces added to the original batch waiting to dry and be loaded into the kiln for the bisque firing.

I find that by working in batches, I tend to have a better success rate of pieces making it through the initial drying phase (to achieve "bone dry" state).

If you let pieces set for too long, then try to handle them, you will have a lot more breakage.

You can find these shards for purchase at my Marsha Neal Studio Booth #806 at Bead Fest Philadelphia and through my friend Darlene's table: D7 Studio at some smaller bead shows here in the North East.

Check back here with me after Bead Fest to see about a Blog Contest I'm going to have for people that want to make things with these shards...

(guess I'm going to have to offer them for sale somewhere and in some sort of grouping through Etsy too...)

If you like this post (and or my blog in general), and you have a blog, I'd really appreciate any extra added links back to my blog. I feel like I'm a bit behind with technology and want to catch up and appreciate any help your links could provide!

Have fun playing with beads and clay!!!

Blogging About Ceramic Decals

***See bottom of this post on how to win one of my pendants***

I was thrilled to be asked by Mary Harding via the Beads-of-Clay Blog about the process I use to create my Porcelain Decal pieces.

There are two other Beads of Clay artists that also contributed to the blog post through Mary, so check it out for all the details.

I wanted to post some additional pictures about the actual process here to give you a visual insight into how I make the pieces (to compliment what the BOC blog has on it)...

The following picture is of my normal work space when applying the decals to my already glazed (to Cone 6) pieces. Decals are cut out, pieces are laid out, and extras are on stand by in baggies. I dry fit the decals before putting them into the water bath. The towel on the table is there because I like to be able to get a little messy when working and not worry about dripping all over the place...

This picture is a close up of the warm water bath that the cut out decal pieces sit in to remove the paper backing and moisten the "glue" on actual decal. You can see one of the paper backings towards the top right of the picture.

Here are some of my Chickadee and Dark Eyed Junco, and a few abstract designs once they are in their final place. Notice how dark the image is before the Decal Firing (Cone 1).

And here is a bunch of my flower pieces. I liked having the images a bit smaller and off center so charms and other dangles can be hung from the hole without covering the image entirely.

A close up of some of my flower drawings as decals before they are fired in the kiln...

Here is a quick shot of the pieces in the kiln before the Cone 1 firing...

And after the firing... Notice the color change?

Here are some pieces out of one of my very first decal firings. And like anything, you keep testing to see how to make the pieces come out as you visualize. For me it was figuring out to put a very thin coat of glaze (not my normal 2-4 coats of glaze as pictured here) and firing to Cone 1 for the decals...

If you want to give this a try, you will have to be ready to run tests to see what will work best for you (well, really, what works best for the materials you are using).

For blank beads, check out my friend Marla's company:

Bisque Bead Supply

Early in the year when I realized that I wanted to work more on the layout of the design on the piece rather than on the actual making of the plain porcelain pendants, I asked Marla if she could have my entire line (and then some) of my standard shapes and sizes made for me - and for her to be able to sell through her company (why reinvent the wheel right? and why not help support another artist and small business - especially when the quality of the pieces are out of this world!!!)

So that's what we're working on... well, I sent the sizes and shapes and she's working on it, I'm buying them...

And you can benefit by being able to just click and buy the same pieces that I use by going to her website and shopping. And she offers various clay bodies with different firing temperatures. Amazing!!! Lots more to come as the pieces are finalized...

Oh and check out the Bisque Bead Supply Blog as well. She's got news and contests on there!

For other suppliers, check out the Beads of Clay Blog link (for info and for where to get the laser-jet water slide decal paper)

And for those of you who have gotten to the bottom of this blog - a contest (2 actually)...

If you comment on this blog, you will be entered to win this:

My daisy flower on my large round porcelain pendant - on a black silky ribbon.

If you have a blog or website and post a link to this blog, then comment here with a link, I'll put you in a 2nd drawing to win the above pendant and some additional surprise goodies.

Chloe will be pulling the winners (from a box or hat of sorts) on Friday, August 7th.

Have fun!!!

Blogging About Ceramic Decals

***See bottom of this post on how to win one of my pendants***

I was thrilled to be asked by Mary Harding via the Beads-of-Clay Blog about the process I use to create my Porcelain Decal pieces.

There are two other Beads of Clay artists that also contributed to the blog post through Mary, so check it out for all the details.

I wanted to post some additional pictures about the actual process here to give you a visual insight into how I make the pieces (to compliment what the BOC blog has on it)...

The following picture is of my normal work space when applying the decals to my already glazed (to Cone 6) pieces. Decals are cut out, pieces are laid out, and extras are on stand by in baggies. I dry fit the decals before putting them into the water bath. The towel on the table is there because I like to be able to get a little messy when working and not worry about dripping all over the place...

This picture is a close up of the warm water bath that the cut out decal pieces sit in to remove the paper backing and moisten the "glue" on actual decal. You can see one of the paper backings towards the top right of the picture.

Here are some of my Chickadee and Dark Eyed Junco, and a few abstract designs once they are in their final place. Notice how dark the image is before the Decal Firing (Cone 1).

And here is a bunch of my flower pieces. I liked having the images a bit smaller and off center so charms and other dangles can be hung from the hole without covering the image entirely.

A close up of some of my flower drawings as decals before they are fired in the kiln...

Here is a quick shot of the pieces in the kiln before the Cone 1 firing...

And after the firing... Notice the color change?

Here are some pieces out of one of my very first decal firings. And like anything, you keep testing to see how to make the pieces come out as you visualize. For me it was figuring out to put a very thin coat of glaze (not my normal 2-4 coats of glaze as pictured here) and firing to Cone 1 for the decals...

If you want to give this a try, you will have to be ready to run tests to see what will work best for you (well, really, what works best for the materials you are using).

For blank beads, check out my friend Marla's company:

Bisque Bead Supply

Early in the year when I realized that I wanted to work more on the layout of the design on the piece rather than on the actual making of the plain porcelain pendants, I asked Marla if she could have my entire line (and then some) of my standard shapes and sizes made for me - and for her to be able to sell through her company (why reinvent the wheel right? and why not help support another artist and small business - especially when the quality of the pieces are out of this world!!!)

So that's what we're working on... well, I sent the sizes and shapes and she's working on it, I'm buying them...

And you can benefit by being able to just click and buy the same pieces that I use by going to her website and shopping. And she offers various clay bodies with different firing temperatures. Amazing!!! Lots more to come as the pieces are finalized...

Oh and check out the Bisque Bead Supply Blog as well. She's got news and contests on there!

For other suppliers, check out the Beads of Clay Blog link (for info and for where to get the laser-jet water slide decal paper)

And for those of you who have gotten to the bottom of this blog - a contest (2 actually)...

If you comment on this blog, you will be entered to win this:

My daisy flower on my large round porcelain pendant - on a black silky ribbon.

If you have a blog or website and post a link to this blog, then comment here with a link, I'll put you in a 2nd drawing to win the above pendant and some additional surprise goodies.

Chloe will be pulling the winners (from a box or hat of sorts) on Friday, August 7th.

Have fun!!!

A Personal Final Bead Show and Other Little Steps...

It hit me yesterday that it's so weird that Bead Fest Philly (this August) is the last bead show that I have personally signed on to do.

It is weird, but it is such a relief...

And in a way - funny too because Bead Fest - in it's 2nd year was my very first Bead Show ever...

Darlene is still running the bead show gamut with my pieces and a ton of other artist pieces...

And I will continue to list the shows on my website and blog...

I am just going to be spending time in what will hopefully be a more creative place...

And a more family centered home environment while Chloe and expectant baby #2 are still little...

I'm excited - actually feeling energized - about all of these small steps I keep taking to get my life back to it's new "normal" place.

I feel like I'm reaching a place in my life where I can almost look over the edge and see all the opportunity that is in front of me...

Little by little is the key in my life right now...

Such a practice in patience (very difficult for this Taurus!)...

I feel I'm on the cusp of something new with my work...

Small scale for sure...

Textural for sure...

Maybe a bit more sculptural and organic if I can loosen up a bit...

I've been making some new stuff for Bead Fest in Philly and can't wait to see how they look glazed...

So if you are going to the show, make sure to stop by and see me and Darlene to say Hi.

I still have a drawing in mind, and will pull that together and let you know the details once I figure out the details...

Hope you're having a creative day!

A Personal Final Bead Show and Other Little Steps...

It hit me yesterday that it's so weird that Bead Fest Philly (this August) is the last bead show that I have personally signed on to do.

It is weird, but it is such a relief...

And in a way - funny too because Bead Fest - in it's 2nd year was my very first Bead Show ever...

Darlene is still running the bead show gamut with my pieces and a ton of other artist pieces...

And I will continue to list the shows on my website and blog...

I am just going to be spending time in what will hopefully be a more creative place...

And a more family centered home environment while Chloe and expectant baby #2 are still little...

I'm excited - actually feeling energized - about all of these small steps I keep taking to get my life back to it's new "normal" place.

I feel like I'm reaching a place in my life where I can almost look over the edge and see all the opportunity that is in front of me...

Little by little is the key in my life right now...

Such a practice in patience (very difficult for this Taurus!)...

I feel I'm on the cusp of something new with my work...

Small scale for sure...

Textural for sure...

Maybe a bit more sculptural and organic if I can loosen up a bit...

I've been making some new stuff for Bead Fest in Philly and can't wait to see how they look glazed...

So if you are going to the show, make sure to stop by and see me and Darlene to say Hi.

I still have a drawing in mind, and will pull that together and let you know the details once I figure out the details...

Hope you're having a creative day!

Trunk Shows and Bead Shows...

It seems crazy around here some days...

Beads going out to shops for trunk shows...

Beads coming back from trunk shows...

Beads going out for orders...

Beads going out for show stock...

Time to make new stuff...

Um - gotta find the time to make new stuff...

I'm pretty excited that Bead Fest Philadelphia is almost here!

It is one of those shows that I give myself a deadline of "must have new stuff for this show".

I'm thinking of doing some gift certificate drawings for people that go to the show and buy my pendants from my booth...

hmmm...

check back for details on that idea!

So here is a list of my upcoming trunk shows and ones that are going on now:

• June 12 - July 31, 2009 Bead & Glass Boutique in Pitman, NJ
• June 26 - July 26, 2009 Just Bead It in Beach Haven, NJ
• July 31 - Aug 16, 2009 Emmi Beads in Clinton, NY
• August 7 - 16, 2009 Brea Bead Works in Brea, CA

And the bead shows run by my friend Darlene of D7 Studio:

• July 25 & 26 Innovative Beads Expo in Concord, NH
• Aug. 1 & 2 Innovative Beads Expo in Doylestown, PA
• Aug. 15 & 16 Innovative Beads Expo in Edison, NJ
• Aug. 21-23 Bead Fest Philly in Valley Forge, PA
• One cool thing about bead shows is that from the website links above
• you can usually find discount coupons for show admission (just click around a bit).

Make sure to check out these shops and shows for a lot of my new decal pieces and new glaze colors that aren't available online...