Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_February_2016_

of the gasket centering it around the

extruder adapter. Screw on the cover.

Photo 4Using the handle, extrude a

long hollow clay tube and remove it

from the extruder with a sharp knife or

scalpel.

Photo 5Straighten the tube, but be very

careful not to compress the hollow

center. I use a snake-rolling tool to

gently round and straighten the tube.

Dry the tube.

Photo 6Use a jeweler’s saw to cut the

individual knuckles. Place the dry clay

tube in a tube holding jig, and with

the jeweler’s saw, cut 4 knuckles, each

approximately 3.5 mm long. Three

knuckles will be used for the hinge, and

one knuckle will be used to house the

wire tension clasp. Save the rest of the

clay tube for future hinge projects.

Create the Locket Parts

Photo 7 On a nonstick work surface, use

an acrylic roller and a pair of suitable

thickness guides to roll out and texture

7 grams of silver clay to a thickness of

0.75mm (3 playing cards).

Photo 8Place a ⅞"-diameter circle

template on the clay, and use a sharp

pin tool to cut out the disk.

Photo 9Place the clay disk on a domed

surface and dry on this surface. Repeat

these steps for the second half of the

locket.

Test the movement of the hinge by feeding the drill bit or a wire

through all three knuckles. Carefully open and close the locket several

times. If the movement is not smooth, sand the sidewalls of the

knuckles as needed.

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lapidary journal )( Jewelry artist