The grand prize winner of our 2012 Cool Tools Antique Mold Design Contest is Laura Medeiros for her Chicken House pendant made from COPPRclay. Laura will receive a $500 Cool Tools Gift Certificate!

We loved the creativity and whimsy of this piece. Laura made it hard to figure out that any molds were used for the components, and she used a variety of molds in unusual ways.

The Chicken House (we keep calling it the Chicken Shack) is so cool and has a hinged door. Laura really thought “outside the box” and used our molds and new and exciting way.

Below is Laura’s story:

“I began working with metal clay in 2001 when my husband purchased a class for me for a Valentine’s gift. I also work in polymer clay.

The rest of the time I am a striving artist, (I don’t struggle with my art, it’s the rest of life that’s a struggle) and I’m an arts educator to pay the bills.

My style is a little bit fantasy, a little bit goth, a tad steampunk, and a sprinkling of whimsy.

In my youth I was a sci-fi and punk geek. The results of my influences and interests are completely unique.

My Copper Chicken Hutch was made using four different Cool Tools Antique Molds. I really tried to use them in an unconventional manner.

I used the Lotus Blossom mold for the roof shingles and weeds along the side of the hutch. I used segments from the Large Dragonfly mold for the barn door panels.

On the back is the Rooster mold and for the bail I used the Tiny Rooster.”

Congrats Laura! We hope she enjoys her prize.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2012 Cool Tools Antique Mold Design Contest. Everyone here at Cool Tools really enjoyed seeing our molds used in so many beautiful and exciting ways. We loved seeing our products used in a wide variety of  jewelry designs.

Help us congratulate Laura on her 1st place finish and be sure to keep an eye out for the next Cool Tools Design Contest!

Congratulations to Robin Ragsdale, the 2nd place winner for our 2012 Antique Mold Design Contest!

Robin has won for her Bronze Hair Stick made from BRONZclay.

Below is Robin’s Story:

“Almost 30 years ago, I graduated from college with a BFA. My main interests were ceramic sculpture and photography. In the real world I ended up being a graphic production artist.

After over 20 years working mainly with computers, I realized I wanted to use my hands again. That’s when I heard about PMC and knew I’d love it.

I took a 1-day class in 2006 and never looked back.

I love using Cool Tools Antique Molds in my work. I used the Trumpet Vine mold for my bronze clay hair stick and embellished it with Accent Silver and labradorite cabochons.

The inspiration for this piece was the need to get my hair off my neck while doing art fairs in the hot summer.”

Robin’s design is simple and elegant. The execution of the piece is clean and balanced. The addition of Accent Silver makes this design a stand out.

Robin will receive a $200 Cool Tools gift certificate for her 2nd place finish. Help us congratulate Robin on her beautiful entry.

Only one position remaining! The 1st place winner of the 2012 Cool Tools May Antique Mold Design Contest will be announced tomorrow. There were so many beautiful pieces submitted and it was so hard to pick a winner!

Be sure to check back for the exciting 1st place announcement!

Finally, the winners of the Cool Tools Antique Mold Design Contest from May have been selected and we are anxious to announce them all!

We planned on only selecting one winner for each place, but we could not decide on 3^rd! There were two pieces we loved, so we decided it was a tie. Both winners have won a $100 Cool Tools gift certificate!

The first winner is Amy Marez for her Fiesta del Sol bracelet. Amy used PMC STERLING for her mold components and combined it with sterling silver sheet and wire into a piece that is clean, beautiful and well made. This design showcases how well PMC STERLING and traditional metalsmithing techniques can be combined seamlessly in the right hands.

Below is Amy’s story:

“I began making jewelry about 12 years ago, mainly stringing beads.  I did this off and on until about three years ago when I decided I wanted to take jewelry making to the next level.  I took a metalsmithing class and I was hooked!

Over the past three years, I have spent numerous hours experimenting in my work shop and along with fabricating metals, I have also been learning enameling and have recently been working with precious metal clay.

I love creating, and love it even more when others like my work enough to wear it!

The name of this piece is Fiesta del Sol, named after a variety of Mexican Sunflower.  I was inspired by the floral sunburst pattern of the Oval Concho Antique Mold.  The bracelet was fabricated using sterling silver sheet, sterling silver wire, fine silver bezel wire, and Kingman Mine Turquoise.

The conchos were made from PMC Sterling.  I started by making the conchos. They looked so pretty lined up together that I knew I wanted to make a bracelet!  I soldered sterling silver tubes to each concho to connect them to sterling silver rings.

After fabricating the entire bracelet, I oxidized the silver and hand brushed it to reveal the details and texture. Finally polished it and set the turquoise cabochons.”

Congrats Amy!

Tied for third place is Kim Jakum for her Ravenna Pendant made from fine silver clay. Kim’s design is so simple, just the mold on an elegant shape, but what makes it special is that she echoed elements from the mold as embellishments that are so tastefully done and the finish is the perfect complement to the design.

Here is Kim’s story:

“I’ve been a jewelry artist for almost 20 years but it was about 4 years ago that metal clay became my main focus.

I have been very fortunate to have studied from the best. I took levels 1,2, and 3 PMC certification with Irina Miech, Rio Rewards from Tim McCreight, one on one classes with Lisa Barth, and last summer classes in Vermont with Celie Fago!

I have recently been accepted into the Artisan Group which provides celebrities samples of their hand crafted products. At the moment, I’m busy making a special gift for Mila Kunis. My business cards will also be included in this years CMA awards gift bags.

I love working with metal clay because the possiblities are endless. I also teach metal clay classes out of my beautiful Wisconsin studio and have an Etsy shop: www.metalmorphis.etsy.com.

To create the pendant I cut a shape from the Eastern Frames Jewelry Shape Template. The center element is made from the Ravenna Antique Mold. I added tiny metal clay studs for embellishment.

After firing, a liver of sulfur patina was added and the piece was polished.”

Congratulations Kim!

Help us congratulate both Amy and Kim for their beautiful Antique Mold Design Contest entries. We hope they enjoy their $100 prizes!

Stay tuned: 2nd place will be announced tomorrow!