Elaine over at All Things Metal Clay has been following the buzz about the newest clay to hit the market – BronzClay. After months of talk and eager anticipation, the clay is now available. I can see why there is such a commotion – this stuff is hot, hot, hot! Rio Grande, exclusive distributor of the clay, has a gallery of images and a free booklet (PDF download) on their website.

BRONZclay™! Created by chemist Bill Struve of Metal Adventures, BRONZclay will add a whole new element to jewelry makers, artists and sculptors.

I will be watching to see how people use this new medium. In the meantime, I’ve gathered lots of links to blog posts with more information about the clay and I will update them as I find more. Links after the pics.

Bracelet by Celie Fago

More of Celie’s BronzClay work

Gail Lannum’s Pieces Fresh From the Kiln

More From Gail Lannum

All Things Metal Clay – BronzClay and PMC Conference Pictures!

Gail’s Tales – One More Bronze Pic

Gail’s Tales – PMC Conference

Celie Fago – My Introduction To The Brand New BronzClay

Tonya Davidson’s Musings and Mullings- Bronze Clay

Craftcast – Interview with Jill Erickson

Art Jewelry Magazine Blog – Playing With the New Bronze Clay – The Story of BC the Snail

Jennifer Kahn – Pre- PMC Conference BronzClay Class in Indiana

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i’m back from philadelphia, my head swimming with ideas, new information and new connections. i have a lot to say about dan cormier and tracy holmes’ engaging workshop, but it will be a few days before i have pictures to show so i’ll stay mum until then.

i didn’t turn the laptop on for two days – no research, no posts, no checking emails. i was completely ‘in the moment’, an indication of how well ‘building better beads’ draws you in and keeps you mesmerized. watch this space for exciting news about what’s coming up next for the dynamic duo, why i believe this round of workshops is critical to the well being of the medium and how griffin steals the show.

one of the benefits of attending a workshop is meeting new people, enjoying lively conversation and learning about what makes another artist’s heart sing. talented pmc artist gwen bernecker was my delightful table-mate for the workshop.

bernecker’s background in architecture and affinity for building is evident in the well executed hollow form pendants that dominate her current work. the pendants offer several layers of interest: intricate texture, subtle color, wavy, undulating lines and curves and kinetic movement.

her website is under construction, though there are a few pictures to whet your appetite until the update is complete. you can see more of her work here, and for the east coast crowd, this summer she will be teaching at beadfest atlanta and beadfest philadelphia.

gwen bernecker made a mid-career change, following a new path driven by a passion for her art and she is now enjoying a success as multi-layered as the hollow form pendants that grace this page. brava!