Tips and Tricks

Making “Granulation” Balls
I use small balls of metal clay to replicate granulation, a decorative technique mastered by the ancient Etruscans. Whenever I’m bored or feeling as creative as a tree stump, I make and dry several balls in various sizes so I can always have them on hand as I create a new masterpiece. I keep them in a little plastic container that’s right in my toolbox.

The size of a given granulation ball is totally dependent on the thickness you choose to roll the clay and the size of the cutter or straw you use. Roll a sheet of clay any thickness you like. For tiny balls, one card thickness is fine. Use a small cutter or straw to make many circles. Remove the excess clay and wrap in plastic wrap immediately. To keep the circles fresh as you’re rolling each successive granule, drape a piece of wet paper towel over the ones you aren’t working with at the moment. Pick up one circle and place it in the lightly lubricated palm of your non dominant hand. I like to find a place where my life lines intersect. Then use a finger of your dominant hand to roll the circle into a small ball. Using good pressure at first will ensure that there are no folds lines or cracks in the clay, then using a light touch will enable you to roll a perfect sphere. If the ball seems dry, dampen the finger you’re using to roll with. Moisture equal to saliva is a good guide. Set the balls aside to dry, then when you're ready to use them, pick one up with a tweezers and dip it in thick slip to attach to the surface of your project. Remember to join similar surfaces. Convex to concave or flat to flat. You can prepare your project for granules by making shallow depressions in fresh clay with a ball burnisher or the end of the paintbrush to add a round granule, or holding a dry ball with tweezers, sand a flat spot on the bottom to attach to a flat surface.

The Wonders of Toothpicks
The longer I work with metal clay, the more I realize that the best tools are often found in the corners of junk drawers. I discovered my favorite tool years ago and it hasn’t lost it’s place in my tool drawer yet. It’s just a simple round; wooden toothpick.

I use it to ream a perfectly round hole in dry clay. Dampen the tip, insert it into your starter hole and rotate. If you forgot to include a hole at all - put a dot of water where you’d like to drill one; cover with plastic wrap and wait a minute or so for the clay to soften up. Then just drill away. Remember to complete the hole from the back as well. Toothpicks have tapered tips and a perfect hole should be the same diameter all the way through.

Next -->