By: Susanne Faulkner
Faulkner Sterling Design

Artisan jewelers thrive on discovering new design possibilities. Precious Metal Clay is a young medium for jewelers who work in silver. PMC is a combination of tiny particles of pure silver in an organic binding material that burns away when fired in a kiln, leaving a dense object of pure handcrafted fine silver.

Artisan jewelers can create any shape and texture imaginable for components in all types of jewelry. No metalsmithing experience is required. The simple clay skills learned in pre-school and an imagination that loves to run free are the foundation for the creation of beautiful earrings, pendants, bracelets, rings, toggle clasps,
and more.

“Jewelry making classes using PMC are very popular right now,” says artisan jewelry designer and certified PMC instructor Sue Faulkner of Faulkner Sterling Design in Middletown, Delaware. “My sister’s friend Becky created a gorgeous silver cross pendant with gold overlay at her first class! The basics are easy to learn, and the ability to innovate and push the limits of the material is very exciting to creative people.”
Those who want hands-on experience with this material will quickly discover the workability of PMC. Options for shaping the clay are wide open. Adding textures is easy using any found object that will leave an interesting impression. Old lace, flower petals, fine fabrics, leaves, feathers, thread, carvings, and many other everyday objects are used to create designs.

Jewelry collectors are wild about the uniqueness of each piece of handcrafted fine silver because it can be paired with so many other materials and elements. Pendants can be suspended from velvet, neoprene, organdy, or sterling silver to create looks from medieval to modern, natural to dramatic. Designers have found that clasps made from PMC can be added to bracelets and necklaces with breathtaking results. They are more than just functional, as they become focal points that pull a piece together.

Studio classes offered through Faulkner Sterling Design have been filling rapidly this summer, as both beginners and skilled artisans work to master techniques that allow them to leave class with beautiful jewelry that truly expresses who they are.

Many people dream of a job where they do only what they love most. Susanne Faulkner has established a second career that allows her to do just that. Faulkner Sterling Design emerged from her love of beauty, gift for working with her hands, fabulous sense of style and never ending desire to create beautiful things.

Sue delights in helping women express their inner beauty through the high quality artisan jewelry she makes by hand. She creates an endless flow of unique pieces that help any woman to set herself apart. Sue searches the world for beautiful beads, new techniques and materials to delight women. She welcomes others with a passion for jewelry to her studio to explore new possibilities for their collections.

Teaching is a natural part of this former educator’s creative process. Many women enjoy the chance to create jewelry for themselves. Workshops meet regularly in both her Middletown, Delaware studio and the nearby “Gibby” Center for the Creative Arts. Sue loves to gather with small groups for a few hours of creativity. Sue is delighted by their joy as they leave wearing a beautiful piece of jewelry they made for themselves.

Faulkner Sterling Design
115 E. Redding Street
Middletown, DE 19709
392 378 4850
302 584 7351

ssusanne@faulknersterlingdesign.com

www.faulknersterlingdesign.com

Testimonials for Faulkner Sterling Design:
“Hey Sue, I just realized that I can’t remember letting you know what a hit the bottle stoppers, bottle opener, and spread knives were. Everyone in the office loved them! They all gasped when they opened their boxes, but not before commenting on how much they loved the bags! Landa says she’s bought things from you before. She loved the stopper and knife, just as did our broker, Gene and his wife Lisa. She said it was definitely one of the best gifts ever.”                      ~C.J.

“I love the necklace and earrings. I wore them out over the weekend with jeans but then wore them yesterday with a burgundy jacket and shirt…..they look great and I received many compliments. I forgot to grab extra cards from you so don’t let me leave you without cards next time! My husband didn’t even give me flak for buying jewelry! (Of course he is a softy).”                        ~Carolyn

““Hi! My sister is coming and we would like to stop in. I gave her one of your necklaces and earrings for Christmas and not only did she LOVE the jewelry, she LOVED your packaging (her gift was in your canvas gift bag) and asked me to let you know. Anyway, she has two gifts to look for and is very excited about coming to your shop.                 ~Letha

“Thanks to you!!!! I love my pen – and I get to fiddle with it in these long meetings while all the BS flows on…. and on…. It’s just great!!!! Thanks again!”                              ~Pat

“Hi Sue, Oh boy, what a beautiful web page and design. I just love how you put your creativity to work in a marketing way. I looked at the entire thing….a job well done! You go, girl!! It has been thrilling to watch your entrepreneurial spirit just blossom and bloom! I love your products and will be over soon to see first hand the new creations. I also loved the clay silver products….how neat! I wish you continued success with all that you do.”     ~Penny

“Hey Sue; I’ve been wanting to send you a note about the watch you designed for my mom, which I gave to her for Mother’s Day. You know, you are the single person to whom I can give basically no information or creative direction – just that I’d like a watch using her birthstone colors – and create the perfect end result. I could not even picture in my own mind what I wanted, but when I saw the watch I knew it was perfect. And my mom was really touched by it; she has tons of watches and hasn’t removed yours since Mother’s Day. What I asked you for was a special gift, but what you created will no doubt become a family heirloom. Thanks so much, Sue.”         ~Jennifer

“Opening that box was a little like Christmas. Those earrings look great! I think you may have added some beads (pink?) to the sterling silver disc earrings? Anyway, I did not remember them looking so good.
It is like I have 10 new pair of earrings! Thank you for changing them all to posts!!!”                  ~Donna