Everything for modeling metals

Everything for modeling metals

Ambassador

Jana Veselá
I’ve been working with metal clay since 2007 and during that time I probably tried everything that this material has to offer in my work. Thanks to that, I have a possibility to add to my jewellery everything I’ve ever dreamed about in jewellery. Spatiality, softness, rough strokes as well as precision, movement and dynamics. I am an Art Clay master instructor, so I can teach you that in my classes as well.

Basic information and frequently asked questions

Metal clay will enable you to become a jewellery maker in the comfort of your own home. What looks like ordinary clay before firing turns into objects of precious metals, like you know them from goldsmiths’ counters or art galleries, after firing. However, there’s no need to be afraid of difficult methods and the need for a lot of jewellery-making experience! With our help, even a beginner can make a piece of jewellery from a precious metal.

Isn’t the material toxic and can children work with it too?

Art Clay Silver is an absolutely non-toxic material and working with it is completely safe for children. With other metal clay, copper clay and bronze clay, it’s a little bit more complicated. But they aren’t toxic, it’s just necessary to be with the kids and work together with them, just as you would with silver. After work, you need to wash your hands and that’s all. These materials do not cause allergies in either non-fired or fired state.

Can I sell metal clay products?

At the beginning, we are working with modelling art clay, however, after firing Art Clay Silver, we end up with sterling silver. That’s why selling it further isn’t possible, the Assay Act must be followed. You can wear or gift a piece of jewellery created using the Art Clay Silver technique. However, you cannot sell it further. Registration at the Assay Office is necessary. Registration can be obtained after fulfilling the conditions given by law.

Do we need a kiln for firing metal clay?

For working with silver clay, a smaller hand torch or a burner is enough. All the other metal clays need to be fired in a kiln. Copper is pretty easy, half an hour in a kiln heated to approx. 650 - 700 °C. Bronze requires firing in a container filled with coal according to a given temperature chart. You therefore need to watch the kiln and check out and adjust the temperature of the firing. But the results are worth it.

What is patina good for?

Patina changes the colour of the surface of metals. An imprint in silver with a patina looks like a black line drawing in a mirror. It highlights structures, surface marks and makes them stand out. When it comes to copper and bronze, it adds a breath of “old age”, the jewellery sometimes looks like ancient excavations. Some love jewellery with patina, some, on the other hand, don’t like it. It’s individual and it gives a zing to metals.

Can I work with metal clay without limitations?

Be careful here. Metal clay in its default form - clay - dries out relatively quickly. Therefore, you need to work with it relatively quickly. You should know what you want to make and you shouldn’t hesitate for long when the clay is unpacked. If you’re unsure, pack the clay in cling film so that it doesn’t dry out. For comparison, metal clay behaves similarly to ceramic clay or to porcelain. So it easily dries on the surface, it cracks and little tears appear on it. It’s part of the deal and it often makes for a beautiful surface structure. You can help yourself while working by moistening it with water.



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Eva
Wednesday, 27. March 2024

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Rychlé dodání, pečlivě zabalené, velká spokojenost. Všem doporučuji.

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