All levels of ability
 
Hmmm, how do you go about setting free-formed objects or stones? One method for setting irregularly shaped objects is by making your own hand-built prongs. Our exploratory trip will highlight innovative, handmade prongs solutions from Metal Clay, proper placement and structural consideration for the prongs, basic do’s and don'ts of prong making, as well as learning how to design with shrinkage in mind. Your finished piece will be of your own unique design inspired by your individual object or free-formed item of choice.
 
You need an irregular-shaped item for setting. The recommended size is between 20mm and 40mm.
 
Materials Needed: 50 g Art Clay 950 ( I was mixing PMC Sterling with Art Clay 999, but since PMC is no longer making that brand, this is the replacement), 3M polish paper, 400 grit sandpaper, polishing cloth, Eve® Rubber polishing wheels and knife-edge for Silver, blue (medium), pink (fine) for rotary tool, 3M Radial Bristle Brushes 400 grit to fine, burnisher, your favorite metal clays tools, textures, Kiln.

Innovative Prong Solutions Tutorial by Holly Gage

$45.00

Lessons are in a PDF format are for students who need no teacher guidance with the lesson. You do, however, have an option to purchase a 1 hour question and answer session by appointment.

To purchase a private session in addition to the self guided lesson, select the "A Private Session with Holly Gage." separately. You can select how many sessions you would like. Sessions are live on the Go to Meeting platform. This option is for seeking answers to questions and have an interest in seeing Holly Gage perform select demonstrations.

©2021 Gage Designs. All rights reserved. This lesson and information within are protected under copyright law. Sharing or reproduction in whole or part are prohibited.
Each tutorial suggests what Metal Clay to use, but you can use the clay you choose with these guidelines in mind since clay preference is an individual choice.

I tend to use Metal Clay with a good melting surface, which means adding water to eliminate imperfections on the greenware surface makes an excellent "self slip" that you can move around with a brush or healing tool to smooth the surface. Many of the lessons use this technique.

Since PMC Sterling is discontinued, the handmade 960 (1/2 PMC Sterling and 1/2 Art Clay Silver) you see in some lessons can be replaced with another strong clay with good carving properties — 950, 960, Sterling Clays, and Base Metal Clays that carve smoothly without chipping.

Jewelry Artist • Instructor • Mentor • Author • Speaker

Innovative Prong Solutions Tutorial by Holly Gage

What you get with your Lesson

Clay Options