Art Clay and Precious Metal Clay, manufactured by Aida Chemical Industries and Mitsubishi Materials are the two types of metal clay available today. It is an exciting product that will delight anyone who is interested in designing and manufacturing their own jewellery. Because of its versatility, it appeals to both professional jewellery makers and the complete novice and you will be amazed at the results achieved in a very short time. 

The Metal Clay is available in Fine Silver (99.9%) and 22k Gold and in different forms to suit the various techniques. It is composed of fine metal (Silver or Gold) particles suspended in a non-toxic “organic binder” which gives it a consistency similar to Clay or Play Dough. This allows it to be rolled, shaped, moulded, textured, etc. Once the clay has been Shaped and Dried it is then Fired. During this process the “organic binder” is burnt away leaving you with Pure Silver or Gold.

How to use Metal Clay

Introduction
Care should be taken when handling the Metal Clay as with all clay forms it can dry out. Once opened it should be used promptly. Designs should be prepared in advance, either drawn or moulded using play dough or similar. Cover the Metal Clay not being used with plastic wrap. If the Metal Clay starts to dry out, then a few drops of water can be added until it reaches its original consistency

Shaping
The Metal Clay can be rolled out and cut using cutters or a sharp blade (scalpel or craft knife). It can also be rolled out on to texture sheets, stamped with an ordinary rubber stamp or moulded. To adjust the clay thickness according to what is being made, spacers can be used under each end of the roller.

Drying
Once you have finished shaping the Metal Clay it must be thoroughly dried before being fired. You can dry it with a hair dryer, on a low temperature in a kiln, in a low oven or air dried for a few hours depending on the thickness of the piece.  When it is completely dry it can be filed, sanded or carved. Now is the time to ensure that there are no sharp corners or "hooks" that may snag against the skin or clothing when being worn.

Firing
The dried piece can be fired in a kiln, with a hand held gas torch, or on a gas hob.

If you use a kiln you will also be able to add certain types of glass, porcelain or beads to the Metal Clay or fire items made from cork clay. You will need to use a firing block on a heat resistant surface when firing with a hand held gas torch.
When firing on a gas hob, the clay designs are placed on a temperature resistant stainless steel mesh, which allows the heat from the flame to pass through the wire mesh.

Ensure the pieces are cooled thoroughly before handling them. Place the fired pieces in a metal bowl of water and dry before finishing.

Finishing
Once fired the piece is brushed with a metal craft brush to expose the metal surface. At this point you can leave the piece as is for a "Brushed" look, alternatively one or a combination of the following processes can be used.

Polished - for a shiny polished surface, the finished piece needs to be burnished using a burnisher or any metal object, eg. a teaspoon. The piece can then be polished with some Silver Polish and a polishing cloth.

Antiqued - to create an "aged" look the fired and brushed piece can be placed in a solution of Liver of Sulphur and hot water.

Enamelled - because the end result is Fine Silver, it is very easy to add enamels to finished pieces and re-fire in a kiln.

Your piece is now ready to wear and enjoy!!