Create the Bail
Photo 22Create a bail support panel on
a nonstick work surface using an acrylic
roller and a pair of suitable thickness
guides. Roll out and texture 5 grams
of silver clay to a thickness of 0.75 mm
(3 playing cards). Trim to 12 mm wide
and 8 mm long. Cut an opening on the
bottom of this trimmed strip that is 4x4
mm — when complete, the wire for the
clasp will pass from the front through
this opening to the back knuckle and
hold the front and back domes closed.
Photo 23Use paste or syringe to attach
the bail support panel to the back dome
centered at the 12 o’clock mark. Dry.
Photo 24Use a plastic straw to shape a
clay tube that will become the bail. On
a nonstick work surface, use an acrylic
tube to roll out 3 grams of silver clay to
a thickness of 1 mm (4 playing cards).
Wrap the clay around the straw, trim
the excess clay, and seal the seam with
syringe. Dry. Remove the clay tube from
the straw.
Photo 25Trim the bail tube to your
desired length, and use paste or syringe
to attach to the bail support panel. Dry.
Photo 26 Sand and smooth the opening
in the support panel with a small fi le or
sanding stick.Fire the Locket
Photo 27Place the back dome on a kiln
shelf lined with fi ber blanket. Place a
small piece of fi ber blanket inside the
dome.
Photo 28Place the front dome on top
of the back dome and line up the hinge
knuckles. Feed a 1-inch length of 20
gauge stainless steel binding wire
through the knuckles; this will hold the
knuckles in place during fi ring. Fire
according to the clay manufacturer’s
recommended schedule. After fi ring,
clean and polish.(^2223)
24 25 26
27 28
January/February 2016^45