Birthday celebration with necklaces

When I went to Texas in October, my school host and escort introduced me to the work of Gabriela Sanchez. I would very much have like one of Gabriela necklaces as my birthday present last week. My husband bought me instead tiny saws, dug out from his tool box an small electric hand drill, and bought me a package of Silver Clay. And so for my birthday I made me birthday necklaces.

I drew the design, a burrito piñata and two flaming hearts. The Precious Metal Clay comes in a small quantity of material not much bigger than a piece of chewing gum. It is very sticky too. I cut the design with an X-acto knife, and then cleaned it with a rubber stick.

I let them dry until next day. They still needed sanding and smoothing the edges.

Then, using a metal mesh I fired them on my stove for about five minutes after they get glowing pink.


Once they cooled off I brushed them with a wire brush and soapy water.


And I finally strung them with beads.

I made me two necklaces. This second one it is not silver clay but silver wire that I learned to make and shape in Mexico last summer at the Taller de Plateria in Xalapa.

It was a very happy birthday for me!