Art-ology

One of the best things about precious metal clay ( Pmc and ACS or Art Clay Silver) is that you can add texture easily to your creations. Before Pmc came along, the only way you might texture metal as a jewellery maker was to etch with chemicals, stamp with metal stamps, or use a pricey rolling mill.

Metal Clay is pretty very like potter’s clay or plasticine, so that you can create unique details, complicated designs, and mold and texture the metal while soft. Try doing that with metal sheet!

Be certain to remember before beginning that precious metal clay tends to be tacky and you want to apply a release agent to whatever it touches. I love to utilise an extremely thin coating of olive oil on my hands, work-area, and tools. Do not avoid this! You will be terribly sorry and have a mess to wash up. Be certain not to use too much oil though because this can also mean a big mess.

These are some easy methods to add texture to precious metal clay while damp.

There are lots of other methods to make your own texturing tools also. Be certain to check out my other articles for additional suggestions.

1. Push Molds: There are some lovely polymer clay push molds available, but as most are rigid, you may have issues getting your metal clay out of them. Be certain to use some olive oil or a product like Cool Slip to help the metal clay not stick to the mold. Permitting the precious metal clay to dry and reduce in size a bit is going to help liberate stubborn clay.
2. Plastic Texture plates / Rubbing Plates: These are relatively low-priced, and usually come with textures embossed on both sides of the sheet. Just press the clay onto the sheet or vice versa.
3. I really like to make my own texturing equipment from polymer clay. To make your own, just do what I am doing, and shape scrap polymer clay into a lump with a handle formed bit that pokes from the back. Make a pattern on the lumpy part. This will be the part you press into the clay. I’ve made ones with crosshatch patterns, flowers, polka dots, and tiny leaves. When you make a tool, just cure your new texturing tool according to the polymer clay information.

As it is easy to see, precious metal clay presents limitless options for making textured jewellery, charms, pendants, beads, and findings and add a whole new dimension to jewelry making. What are you about to make today?