How to Make Texture Plates With Precious Metal Clay
Texture plates are flat, decorative fixtures designed to spice up walls or counter tops with interesting, three-dimensional patterns. Texture plates can be made from a variety of materials, including precious metals. Through the use of precious metal clay, you can make your own customized texture plates in real silver and gold to add an extra touch of class and luxury to your indoor decorating.
Instructions
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Collect some objects to use in making textures and impressions. These may include anything that you think might make an interesting or attractive impression. Some good choices include small leaves, filigreed metal jewelry or buttons, patches of woven straw (say, from an old basket or chair), patches of coarse fabric, or stamps.
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Form the metal clay into sheets. Condition the clay by kneading it in your hands, adding a few drops of water if the clay is crumbly or dry. Once it's soft and malleable, roll it out flat on your work surface using a clay rolling pin. Cut the flat section into a rectangular plate using a craft knife and ruler. Make the plate slightly larger than the size you want the finished product to be (about 10 percent bigger) since it will shrink slightly when it dries.
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Coat the impression items lightly in oil. Use just enough oil to make the objects oily to the touch, but not enough to make them drip or shine, since too much oil will interfere with the cohesion of the clay. A good way to do this is to apply a light coating of oil to your hands, then run your fingertips over the objects.
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Make impressions in the metal clay. Gently press each impression object into the surface of the clay plate, then peel off to reveal the impression. If you don't like how something turns out, smooth out the impression by rubbing the plate with water, then try again.
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Dry and fire the clay according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Tips & Warnings
Precious metal clay is expensive. Save money by practicing all of your techniques and textures on a piece of inexpensive craft air-dry clay first.
For an intricate and detailed look, layer your clay impressions by doing a texture impression first, then adding object impressions (like leaves) over the top.
