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What
is Art Clay Silver?
Art
Clay Silver is pure silver (99.9%) metal powder mixed with a non-toxic binder
in clay form. It can be manipulated just like any other clay (moulded,carved,
rolled, sculpted, sanded, filed, engraved, drilled, pre-polished) prior to
firing. When fired in a kiln or by a torch, the binder burns away leaving the
silver behind. It shrinks about 8-10% (the low-fire shrinking about 8-9%)
during firing as the binder burns away.
What
do I do with it? It
can be treated just like any other type of clay. Roll it out flat and thin.
Punch holes in it. Print it with a rubber stamp (pre-oiling it will ensure it
won't stick to the clay). Draw on it. Let your creativity soar!
Can
pieces be attached together?
Art Clay Silver Oil Paste can
be purchased from us on this site. It is used to repair fired pieces of clay
together or attach a pin back. Art Clay Silver can also be watered down in
order to stick wet clay (prior to firing) together.
Does
it have to be kneaded like polymer clay?
No it does not. It is ready to be moulded
right out of the package.
How
do you prepare Art Clay Silver for firing?
You can dry it with a hair
dryer for about 10-20 minutes or leave it out at room temperature overnight.
To check if it is dry, place your item on a piece of glass or mirror for about
3-4 minutes. If there is any condensation, it is not dry.
How
should I store my clay? The
clay will dry out very quickly if left in an open package. Wrap the leftover
clay tightly in a sealed package. While you are working, keep the clay
hydrated by brushing it occasionally with a slightly wet brush. Covering the
clay with something moist while you are working will also keep it from
drying out.
Why
is it so small?
Don't be surprised by how big it is. It is pure silver that you are
working with.
How
soon after I make it should I fire the Art Clay Silver?
It can be left indefinitely. Just make sure that you are careful with it,
because it is very fragile.
How
thin can it be?
1mm at the least.
What
is the difference between the Low-Fire 650 Clay and the Regular Clay? The
Low-fire 650 Clay does not take as much heat to fire. These two types can be
mixed together but then you must make sure to fire them at the higher
temperature of the Regular Fire Clay.
How
do I use the syringes?
The syringes come with a creamy
clay already inside them. It can be used for intricate decoration like
filigree or for other detail work. Don't let the clay dry inside the tips
though. Can I refill the syringe with diluted clay? No, it is hard to get the
right consistency and get rid of the air bubbles.
Do
I need to have a kiln to fire Art Clay Silver? You
do not have to. A torch is a possibility as long as you are not using glass
beads or enhancements in your piece. If you are using glass or if your piece
is fragile, you need to fire it in a kiln to prevent the glass from cracking.
A kiln is more gentle, as it heats up slowly and cools slowly.
How
do I use a torch to fire my creation?
It is better not to try to fire
something that is made from more than one package of clay. Any torch that can
hold a certain temperature will work, such as butane mini-torches and propane
torches. These torches can be purchased from your local hardware store and
they need to be able to operate horizontally. You will need a stop watch as
well, to time how long you have your design up to temperature. Place your
creation on a heat proof surface like a metal table top, with a ceramic fire
brick behind it. Be careful because there is a point where the clay is quite
fragile. You will need to begin by warming your piece with the torch. Keep the
torch moving, in circles, evenly and gently. A flame will develop but that is
just the binder burning off. Heat it up to a light orange color (like a
creamsicle), and you'll see it dimly glowing. Maintain this color for two
minutes constantly. If you lose the glow, bring the clay back up to that color
and start your timer over again. It must stay at the cool orange for two
continuous minutes. If the glow gets too intense, move the torch away from the
clay. If you lose the glow, move it closer to the clay. Always keep the torch
in motion.
What
do I do once I have fired my creation?
Take
a brass brush and buff your creation. You should see the silver coming up. You
can brush it with something rougher like an agate burnisher on raised or
smooth areas to give a high polish.
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