Art clay silver piece: solder on a jump ring or refire w/ a bail?

I have a large flat piece I made. I was just playing around, but it
turned out GREAT so what I want to do is wear it as a pendant. It's
square, and I want to mount a bail through which I will run a chain. I
don't want it on the top/edge, as I want it to hang point up, and I
want the connection point to be about 1/3 down from the top, making
the chain emerge from the sides, not the very top.

So... I know I can refire the clay if I clean the existing piece well
and attach a newly made bail out of the clay and a little paste. OR...
I can solder on a jump ring on the back.

NEITHER of these things I've done before. =-)

Which would you do?

Amy

On Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:51:55 -0800, lavachickie
wrote:

I have a large flat piece I made. I was just playing around, but it
turned out GREAT so what I want to do is wear it as a pendant. It's
square, and I want to mount a bail through which I will run a chain. I
don't want it on the top/edge, as I want it to hang point up, and I
want the connection point to be about 1/3 down from the top, making
the chain emerge from the sides, not the very top.

So... I know I can refire the clay if I clean the existing piece well
and attach a newly made bail out of the clay and a little paste. OR...
I can solder on a jump ring on the back.

NEITHER of these things I've done before. =-)

Which would you do?

I don't think there are many people here who work with Art Clay.

My caution would be that if you place the bail too far down, the
pendant may tip forward, which always looks a little odd.
--
Marilee J. Layman
http://mjlayman.livejournal.com

I don't think there are many people here who work with Art Clay.

That does seem to be true! There are a few bulletin board style forums
on the topics.

I did get a lovely response via e-mail from someone who has been a LOT
of help. In the process I've learned both from my own experience and
her example that soldering will give the result I want, BUT I'm going
to need a LOT of practice in order to do it. =-) While I do intend
to do that practice for future use, I think in this instance I'm going
to a local jeweler and having them do it because I need it done NOW.

My caution would be that if you place the bail too far down, the
pendant may tip forward, which always looks a little odd.

The piece is big, and I was only going, at most about 20% down from
the top. This will give it a little "lean" out, but that's actually
going to be appealing w/ the design that's at play here.

Thanks for the response!

Hi,
I am emerging from my post Christmas lethargy and I will be getting my
camera out today. I did warn you about my messy bench though!!

Ruth.

On Jan 3, 8:49 am, "tambling" wrote:
Hi,
I am emerging from my post Christmas lethargy and I will be getting my
camera out today. I did warn you about my messy bench though!!

Ruth.

Ha! Can't wait to see it! It just goes to show how busy you are. =-)

Amy