Instructions for Low Fire Metal Art Clay

Silver jewelery can be easily created using the clay.

From jewelry to gleaming bowls, metal art clay allows for easy shaping and carving by even the most inexperienced of metalworkers. The clay is comprised of metal suspended in clay that eventually burns off when fired, producing beautiful pieces of artwork. From gold to silver to bronze, the low fire clay is perfect when adding jewels or other heat sensitive objects to the project.

Things You'll Need

• Olive oil
• Low-fire metal clay
• Rolling pin
• Knife
• Burnishing tool

Instructions

1. Cover your hands and clean work surface with a thin layer of olive oil. This will keep the clay from sticking.

2. Place the clay on the work surface. Roll it, cut it and shape it with your fingers in to the desired shape. Create it 30 percent larger than your desired final size as it will shrink in the kiln.

3. Set the formed object in the middle of the kiln, ensuring that it is not touching any of the edges or other objects.

4. Heat the kiln to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Fire the clay for the length of time given by the manufacturer's directions, as it can vary with different metals -- generally between 10 and 20 minutes.

5. Turn off the kiln and allow the piece to come to room temperature. Remove it and burnish it with the burnishing tool if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the clay covered by plastic wrap when not using it to keep it from drying out.

• If you want to carve the clay, heat it in a preheated oven set to 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes to dry it out before cutting in to it.

References

• Silver Clay: PMC User Guide
• Silver Clay: Firing