Rachel Miller: : Precious Metal Clay

Today we are visiting the studio of Rachel Miller, precious metal clay designer.

Rachel, a former painter and sportswear designer, has been creating jewelry and Judaica for more than five years in her home studio.

She began making wire-wrap jewelry and then took the plunge and purchased a kiln. "I just wanted to be able to make more [of my pieces] on my own," she says. (Can you see the delicate heart in the middle of these Star of David necklaces?)

She is now PMC certified, as well as certified to teach.

Her inspiration board holds ideas for future projects, works in progress, fan mail and tidbits from her daughters.

Rachel's work begins with a sketch. Her mezuzahs have an international following. 

Today she is designing a mezuzah in the likeness of a Brownstone. 

After she creates a design, she makes plates so that she can imprint her clay uniformly with her designs. The brick pattern, for example, is a drawing that she had made into a plate.

Below are some plate designs.

After her main piece is constructed, she'll begin the intricate, finishing details.

Her work is so exact.

She uses molds and stamps that she collects and makes herself.

Her pieces are fired in her kiln at 1600 degrees for two hours. Then they head to her finishing table where they are polished.

When the clay work is complete, Rachel begins constructing her jewelry. She only uses real gemstones and fine silver.

Rachel says her biggest challenge is finding enough time to create. "You have to surround yourself with people who support you," she says.

Two of Rachel's pieces were selected for this year's PMC Annual, published by the PMC Guild. This is a huge honor.

Rachel's website

You can see Rachel's work in person this weekend:

Sunday, November 21

Patio Art Bazaar

Thanks Rachel!

I almost forgot to eat...

Key word is almost. I ate plenty, and had such a great weekend. I shoved David and the kids off to his parents' house so I could paint and sort and assemble and plan for our upcoming show.

 

 Two whole days of getting ready and nothing more. (Although the dogs were a bit of work. I'm wondering if my art room has ghosts because they were acting crazy...)

Anyhow. Lots done, lots of time to think and reflect, lots of time to get my hands dirty. Thank you wonderful family! xo

You're invited to our show!

If you live in the St. Louis area, I hope you'll plan to join us! xo

Ready for the weekend

I'm claiming this weekend in a way that I haven't in years. Can't wait...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! xo

What on earth is this? [a love story]

I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it! [Elf]

Does anybody out there have any idea what this thing is? A letter sorter? A collator? I said I was going to Goodwill, but something told me to stop at the Salvation Army store instead. [Serendipity]

It was like the end of a romance movie - I walked right through the crowd until I found her (it). [Elizabethtown] I thought I'd never find anything this perfect, and there she (it) was right in front of me. [When Harry Met Sally] I swooped it and its 99-cent price tag up-and-out-of-there faster than it could say, "You had me at hello." [You know this one.]

I wish I knew what it was, but it doesn't matter. [Shrek?] It's so so perfect. I couldn't have designed it better. This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship! [Casablanca]

[Cue mushy music]

[Close scene] xo

p.s. I'm sorry there's no studio visit today. Please come back next Thursday!

Works in Progress

Don't want to jynx this, but I believe I am ahead of schedule! It's a miracle! I need to run to Goodwill to look for something to help me prop up my covers as they dry (I'm thinking toast server - something you'd see in Mary Poppins or some such film). The next time you see these, they'll be complete and in our Holiday Show or my etsy shoppe! xo