Firing Art Clay Silver on a Gas Hob

Firing Art Clay Silver on a Gas Hob

Please read this instruction sheet carefully before using the Stainless Steel Mesh for firing

Firing Art Clay Silver with a gas stove uses a direct flame. This method works best for small and simple pieces. You can fire pure silver findings and small gemstones (5mm or under) with this method. Items that cannot be fired with this method include projects made over Cork Clay, paper, or large quantities of organic material, and projects that include glass, ceramic or porcelain. You can fire 650 Series, ST Series and Basic Series creations. There is a size limitation for this method. You may fire creations that are no larger than 5.0cm (L) ×3.0cm (W) ×2.0cm (H), and weigh up to 30gm.

Step 1: Before firing, your piece must be completely dry. You can dry it naturally for more than 24 hours, in a low oven or you can dry with a hair dryer for the designated drying time. To check if the piece is completely dry, place the hot piece on stainless, glass or plastic plate and after 10~20 seconds pick up the piece. If there is no cloud of condensation, it is dry. It is easiest to check the cloud on a black or dark coloured surface.

To check if your piece has been successfully fired, trace the outline of the unfired piece on a sheet of paper. Compare the fired piece with the traced size - Art Clay Silver contracts 8-10% in volume after firing so you should see a slight shrinkage.

To cool off the fired piece, prepare a bowl of water. The bowl should be made of stainless or metal.

Step 2: Place the stainless net on the stove. Make sure the stainless net is placed at center and is well balanced. Turn on the flame. Confirm the hottest part as the red/orange glow on the mesh.

Turn off the stove and using a pair of tweezers, place the piece on the stainless steel net where the reddest part was seen.

Turn on the stove again. You will initially see a flame from the piece due to the binder burning in the clay. The flame will cease after a few seconds. You will see the piece start to turn an orange colour due to the internal temperature. Fire the piece for five minutes from the time you see this orange glow.

Step 3: After firing for the applicable time, turn off the cooking stove and cool off the piece for at least 20 minutes. Do NOT attempt to pick up the piece right after the firing as the piece may have stuck to the stainless net. After piece has cooled off, it will detach easily.

Step 4: After 20 minutes, pick up the piece with a pair of tweezers and dip it into the water to complete the cooling. Dry well with a clean towel.

Step 5: Compare the fired piece to the drawing of the unfired piece, if the contraction of the fired piece is not around 10%, it is not successfully fired. You need to follow steps from 2 to 4 again to complete the firing.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Don't use any supporting material such as fibre blanket or vermiculite.
You can't fire Art Clay Gold with this method.
If firing Art Clay containing fireable gemstones, it is safer to let the piece cool slowly between two pieces of fibre blanket.
Please keep children and pets away whilst firing.
Remember your piece will be glowing hot – don't try to move it once you started firing.

Don't lean over the flame. Don't wear dangly clothes or jewellery which may catch on the net.