Weekend Eye Candy - Granulation Edition

1. granulation globe1, 2. Pin #1: Stamen Series, 2005, 3. Granulation Cuff, 4. RAW52 #10, 5. Untitled Pendant, 6. Trouble With Lichen 12, 7. Gold "Old Work" Earrings, 8. Chameleon brooch for Andy Cooperman, 9. recycled copper boiler with silver granulation

I can't believe it's been two months since I last posted a Weekend Eye Candy. I've had things on my mind and too many balls to juggle. It's nice to see you again. I promise not to stay away so long again.

I love granulation. The ancient Etruscans made the technique famous, but it's enjoying a return to popularity thanks to modern jewelry makers. Traditionally the tiny balls are made by either clipping uniform pieces of wire or making a series of jump rings in a consistent size and then melting them. When metal (and glass) is melted to the flow point, it naturally draws up into a ball.

I developed my own way of making tiny balls out of metal clay. Roll the clay to the thickness of your choice, I roll two cards thick. Then use a cocktail straw to cut a number of disks. Find a place in your palm where the life lines intersect and roll one of the disks into a sphere. Roll hard at first to form the ball with no lines or lumps, then ease the pressure to make a perfect sphere. Be sure to cover the remaining disks with a damp paper towel as you work so they don't dry out.

Can you think of a way that granulation would add a decorative element to your designs?