Art-ology

Silver clay? What the heck is that?
Silver clay, precious metal clay, art metal clay, and art clay silver are all different terms and types of “clay” that can be magically turned into gold and silver.

These new metal clays have been about since the 1990′s. Jewellery designers and artists can now mold, form, and shape expensive metal as easily as play dough.

Making jewelry naturally has a long history. The difference today is that you no longer have to bang or cast your metal to make jewellery if you do not want to. Silver clay now makes it possible to make real metal forms without these standard methods.

Here is how it works. Art metal clays are composed of fine metal particles suspended in an organic binder. This binder allows you to mold and shape the clay as you would potter’s clay. After you are pleased with the form, you let your project dry for a minimum of 24 hours ( or more ). You then fire it in a kiln or by utilizing a hand torch. The binder burns away, leaving the fused metal behind in the shape you formed it.

Before you grab a pile of silver clay and go at it though, you’ll want to keep one or two tenets in mind. Silver clay isn’t cheap, so you do not need to waste it.

Tips for Working With Silver Clay

Here are a bunch of tips for working with silver clay :

–>Metal clays shrink 10-30% when fired. Be certain to check your package for shrinkage levels particularly if you are making rings or other objects that need to be exact fits.
–>Not all metal clays can be hand torch fired. If you won’t be employing a kiln be sure to check that your brand of silver clay is “low fire”.
–>Only small pieces should be torch fired. Pieces larger than 25g should be kiln fired.
Silver clay isn’t cheap. The gold version particularly is terribly costly. Be certain to shop rigorously and follow instructions punctiliously so you do not burn your money fruitlessly.

• Playing cards make great “spacers” when rolling out clay to an even thickness. Just stack cards on either side of the clay, then use your roller to roll out the clay between the cards.
• To store metal clay between uses, be certain to spritz with water and wrap it well with plastic wrap.
• Metal Clay simply takes on impressions of other objects ( and fingerprints too ). Try experimenting with different textures and objects to make imprints onto the wet clay.

Now that you have some silver clay suggestions, I bet you are psyched. You wish to work with this inventive material now! What will you make first?

Want to discover more about precious metal clay? Read more of my silver clay articles. http://shop.how-to-make-jewelry.com