Etsy MetalClay is a moderated team with the following requirements:
Etsy Metal Clay Team membership is by invitation only.
The Etsy Metal Clay Team seeks out artists whose work features metal clay of any type. Etsy Metal Clay encourages the use and inclusion of diverse materials and techniques in an artists’ work. Etsy Metal Clay will consider extending membership to artists who have achieved some mastery of metal clay materials and techniques, and show at least an intermediate level of metalsmith and jewelry design abilities.
The team seeks new members from time to time and uses the following criteria to evaluate work and shops:
The potential member’s work has a cohesive, unique and personal style that will allow other team members to easily recognize their work – an original statement should be made. Applicants who are capable only of texturing and cutting out shapes and/or stamping designs would be considered beginner level and not yet ready to join the team. Membership in the Etsy Metal Clay Team is a two-way learning experience for members. It is important that all team members should be able to learn something new from one another.
The potential member will have attained at least an intermediate level of skill in making jewelry composed of metal clay. What this means is outlined further below.
Your work
• No artist will be considered for membership whose style closely mimics that of another artisan, especially one who has also studied under that artisan. Developing one’s own unique body of work and a demonstration of uniqueness and creativity is key.
Your photography
• The successful candidate will have clear, attractive, sharp photographs of their work capable of being included in an Etsy treasury and any other form of team promotion.
Techniques and Workmanship
• The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the mastery of one or more intermediate to advanced level of skills in metal clay such as hollow beads/burnout cores; mirror finishes; bezel and prong setting of both fireable and non-fireable stones; chemical oxidation and, in the case of bronze or copper clay, the ability to add a heat patina through the use of a torch; box construction; hinges; enameling; water etching.
• Insides of bails and the backs of the pieces must be finished and attractive to the eye. All pieces large enough or with sufficient area to be signed must be signed either through a raised (fused on) or depressed (stamped) hallmark.
• All candidates’ metal clay jewelry listings on Etsy should include a photograph of the back of the piece and at least one photo where their signature/logo/hallmark is shown if included on the piece.
Originality and Design
• For team consideration, artists must show the ability to design one’s own original textures and describe their technique through the use of photopolymer plates, chemical etched plates, original molds, dry carving, or original carvings on materials such as cork, linoleum, wood, or other materials.
• All designs should be well-balanced and pleasing to the eye with good symmetry or asymmetry of design. Ideally the candidate should have the ability to incorporate more than one metal clay technique, such as a hollow bead with an original texture.
Finished Presentation
• All pieces must be free of visible surface blemishes such as cracks, extra blobs of clay or paste and sharp edges. Time and care spent sanding and polishing should be evident. Edges should be smooth and show no evidence of tool marks.
Team Participation
• Team members are asked to actively participate in team activities. We maintain a private, lively and active Facebook page where most of our communication takes place. New members must have a Facebook account and be willing to join our team page there.
Team members are asked to occasionally post on the team blog or public team Facebook page. New members will be required to assist in these activities from time to time. We are all busy with art, families and lives -- we share in this responsibility.
• We also occasionally ask that members create treasuries incorporating team members and participate in other group promotions, including but not limited to charm swaps and the donation of handmade charms for inclusion in bracelets that we auction off to benefit various charities.
