Gold Plating Technique by Valerie Bealle
Valerie Bealle, Metal Clay Artist and Instructor from Long Island, New York visited the Cool Tools studio to demonstrate how to add 24K gold plating to fine silver. In this video Valerie accents a pendant that was created using PMC Flex and one of our popular antique molds. WATCH HERE

Artist Statement:
I have spent most of my life in a love affair with craft. My journey started when, as a child, I learned to crochet. After many doilies and two children, I graduated to creating wearable art in free form crochet. Along the way I learned to spin yarn, weave cloth, and to dye anything in sight. I started a business, “North Shore Weavers” that supplied the interior design industry with hand woven custom sofa throws, wall hangings and pillows. A serious shoulder injury ended my weaving days but my hands would not be denied. I had always liked to include beads in my crochet and weaving, so there was a natural progression to jewelry design.

It was at this point that I discovered a relatively new product called “metal clay”. It seemed like magic. I could take a lump of this clay-like substance, form it, dry it and fire it in a kiln and come away with a piece of jewelry made of pure silver. As soon as possible, I got my certification as a metal clay instructor from PMC Connection and have been teaching ever since. I love the freedom that this material offers. I can create jewelry in fine (pure) silver, sterling (92.5%) silver, copper, bronze and various other metals.

I am especially influenced by the beautiful stones that nature provides, textile designs from the bronze age, the world of high fashion and, of course, nature.