But by the time Ranae Atchison and her students are done with it, the little lump of silver clay can become almost anything. Bracelets, brooches, earrings - those are just a few of the things that can be made from art clay silver.

Atchison, an artisan and instructor, is teaching local residents how to use art clay silver - a leftover from photo film developing - in jewelry and other art pieces.
"I like that you don't have to be a metalsmith to make jewelry," said Atchison, a certified art clay silver instructor. "You can make small items like pendants and jewelry. And it's only as difficult as you want to make it."

Art clay silver is a product of Aida Chemical Industries in Japan, which reclaims a variety of different metals. According to Art Clay World USA, a national organization for instructors, art clay silver is pure silver powder combined with non-toxic binders and water. When fired, the binders burn away leaving pure, 99.9 percent silver.

Atchison, a longtime crafter and craft show exhibitor, heard about the clay a few years ago and took a class in Toledo. After that, she was hooked. She liked how easy the clay was to work with, and that no special tools were required.

At home, she works at her kitchen's breakfast bar and has been able to take her supplies on vacation in a small pouch.

Once a piece is finished, it can be fired and finished with a small torch like those used for lighting grills. If desired, stones or other objects can be included in the final design.

"If you want to make a fine silver ring you have to be able to solder it, and cut it with a torch or saw. For this you can use kitchen tools, basically," said Atchison. "You can use straws for holes (for chains). You let it dry and you can sand it with a nail file."

Students in Atchison's classes receive a package that weighs about 20 grams and is about as big as two stacked quarters. It doesn't sound like a lot, but students have been able to make several pieces.Betsy Worden of Findlay made three pendants and a pair of earrings during a recent class. "It sounded fascinating that you could mold clay and when it's fired it turns into silver. I thought I had to see this," said Worden. "I didn't know what to think, but it came out great."

For information on upcoming classes, see Atchison's website at www.radesignstudio.com