What is Art Clay and PMC (Precious Metal Clay)?

    

Art Clay and PMC are exactly what they say, a clay.  The clay is composed of tiny particles of the metal, either silver, gold, bronze or copper, water and an organic binder.  After you fire the clay in a kiln (some can use gas stoves or a torch) the binder and water burn away and you are left with a solid piece of either Fine Silver (99.9% silver), Sterling Silver (92.5% silver), Gold, Bronze or Copper.  
To work with the clay you can roll it out to your desired thickness, stamp it when still wet, cut into desired shape, form the shape to the way you would like it, or let it dry and carve a design into it.  You can also add additional pieces to it or embellish the clay with CZ (cubic zirconians) or gemstones.  Once your clay piece is dry you can file the edges for a smooth appearance with a nail file and drill holes in the clay so you can incorporate it into your jewelry.  But be gentle!  You don't want to snap your piece.


After your pieces are fired the silver pieces will come out of the kiln white and won't look like silver at all.  But don't worry!  They just need to be polished.  Add these pieces to your jewelry designs and you're all done!
The biggest drawback with working with the clay is that it dries very very quickly.  Especially the silver clay. Once the clay starts to dry out you cannot get the same smooth texture back and your pieces begin to show cracks.  If this happens you can add a very small drop of water and work it into the clay to get some moisture back, but the consistency won't be the same.  If you find small cracks in your dried clay pieces gently wipe a baby wipe over the surface to smooth it out.  As you are working on your pieces always put the remaining clay you are not using wrapped up in it's original packaging so it will not dry out.  You do not want to ruin your very expensive piece of silver or gold clay!   
Have fun creating!
















Links to my Etsy shop:
Fine Silver Round Pendant with Flower Garden Design and Pink Freshwater Coin Pearl Necklace
Fine Silver Handmade Leaf Necklace with White Freshwater Keishi Petal and Round Pearls Necklace
Fine Silver Handmade Leaves with White Keishi Petal Pearls Charm Bracelet
Fine Silver Delicate Rectangular Pendant with Dangly Sparkly Mulit-Strand Chain Necklace