There’s several processes when I make jewellery where I can make comparisons with my faith.
A song I remember singing years ago begins like this:
Purify my heart,
Let it be as gold and precious silver.
Purify my heart,
Let me be as gold, pure gold.
Refiner’s fire,
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy,
Set apart for You, Lord…
As you may know, some of the jewellery I make uses silver clay.
It is exactly what it says: silver particles mixed with an organic clay binder and enough water to create a clay consistency.
It’s the most amazing material to work with.
I have learned many awesome techniques for making jewellery since my very first class using silver clay and I enjoy learning them all. However, making pieces with silver clay can use the simplest of tools without the need to learn too much about metals.
It’s a fabulous introduction to making jewellery.
The process is pretty straightforward and there is a moment where the clay is no longer clay but has been transformed into pure silver! Everyone loves that part!
Which is why my mind is reminded of the words in the song above and our transformation as we deepen our relationship with Jesus.
When I make a piece of jewellery, the clay I work with is malleable, I can shape it, mould it or imprint it with textures or patterns and because I am doing it by hand, pieces may look similar, but they will never be truly identical.
Each is one of a kind.
Much like us.
We are all moulded and shaped by God, made to His specific design.
With my jewellery, when they are at the clay stage, they are at their most vulnerable. If I drop one on the floor, it is likely to chip, crack or break.
My jewellery is also not serving it’s purpose as clay. We all know that a piece of silver jewellery needs to have a certain colour, feel a certain way and be strong enough to withstand the knocks it will endure whilst being worn.
In order for it to fulfil it’s purpose, it cannot look or behave like clay. It’s beautiful shiny ‘silver-ness’ is masked and hidden by it’s ‘clay-ness’ until the clay binder is removed.
And how do we do that?
By fire or furnace.
I use two methods: a butane blow torch or my kiln (called Kevin since you ask!)
Both techniques require a high temperature for a certain length of time in order to remove the stuff that prevents the jewellery from serving its purpose.
A low temperature just won’t do.
The heat has to burn away what reduces the value of the piece created.
It has to burn away what weakens the metal.
It has to burn away what is hiding its beauty.
It has to become what it was made for.
Can you guess where this is going?
we are all unique and individual
we are moulded and shaped for our unique purpose
we carry stuff that hinders that purpose, which weakens us and hides who we truly are and our beauty within
Time spent in relationship with Jesus can transform us if we allow it:
- we can discern and discover who He made us to be
- we can become stronger by surrendering ourselves to Him
- we can cast off the stuff that is hiding our shine and lustre
What I learn from this is that transformation within me requires raising the temperature of my faith.
My love for Jesus needs to burn with enough intensity to bring about a change in me.
Lukewarm is not enough.
A quick dip is not enough.
Time spent in that deep place with Jesus:
cleaning out the unhelpful, unhealthy, unnecessary and superfluous dross
healing the sickness, pain and unforgiveness in my heart
choosing His holiness above my own desires
That is where I will know His refining power and transformation.
It’s a HUGE challenge, but ultimately, it’s gotta be worth it, right?
So I’m going to give it my best, so I can be my best…
If you’re interested in exploring silver clay with me, I’ll be holding some classes in early 2024.
I’m finalising some dates to include next time.
Here’s some pieces from some of the students who have attended. They’ve made some lovely pieces and have enjoyed making their own silver jewellery as much as I have enjoyed teaching them!
Coming up in the next few weeks:
Typically, there’s been a few changes in my plans in the lead up to Christmas! But hopefully, I can fulfil all the events I have arranged to be at, although I will no longer be at the Eastleigh College Christmas Fair, so I will hold an Open House at home instead.
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