Faq's/ Info
What IS Art Clay Silver? TOP
Art Clay Silver is pure silver powder combined with non-toxic binders and water. When kiln, torch, or gas stove-top fired, the binders burn away, leaving pure, 99.9% silver. Art Clay Silver can be added to a variety of media: glass, ceramics, porcelain and polymer clay to name a few. It can be rolled, sculpted, stamped, sanded, filed, engraved, drilled and pre-polished, all prior to firing. Once fired, it is pure silver and can be treated like any other pure silver. How is Art Clay manufactured? TOP
Art Clay is a recycled product manufactured by Aida Chemical Industries in Japan. Aida recycles and reclaims a variety of different metals, and the silver comes from many different sources, like film stock and negatives. What are the basic steps in working with Art Clay? TOP
Read the instructions which are included in the package. Form the malleable clay to the desired shape. Dry the clay following one of the recommended processes. Detail the greenware (unfired clay) with files, sandpaper, or other tools. Make sure the clay is completely dry, to ensure it is ready to fire. Fire the dried piece using a kiln, torch, or gas stove-top. Once the piece is cool, then finish. What is the secret to success in working with Art Clay Silver? TOP
The secret is to follow the 10-80-10 rule. Spend no more than 10% of your time working on the roughing out the shape while the clay is malleable. Allow 80% of your time to focus on working the dry clay into the exact state you want. This is when you file, sand, cut, and engrave your work. After completing this process, the piece should be mostly finished. The remaining 10% should come after the firing, and spent finishing the piece, sanding and polishing. How do you keep Art Clay Silver moist and malleable? TOP
Once you open the mylar package, the clay begins to dry, much like porcelain. You can use water and a moist brush to lightly hydrate the Art Clay while you shape your work. Keeping the clay covered with something moist will let you put it down momentarily. What's the shelf life of unopened Art Clay Silver? TOP
There is no official shelf life at this time. Art Clay should be used in a timely matter after it has been purchased. Store in a cool dark place, but do not refrigerate or freeze. How should I store opened Art Clay? TOP
Keep all unused portions of Art Clay pliable in an airtight package, like a clay keeper. You can also use plastic wrap, then double seal it in a small plastic bag, with a moist sponge at the bottom. This will also keep the clay pliable. Store in a cool dark place, but do not refrigerate or freeze. I have rock hard pieces of Art Clay, what can I do? TOP
There are two options. You can collect all of your unfired crumbs, hardened pieces and even Art Clay Silver dust into a sealable container, add water, and stir. This simple method will create Art Clay Silver paste, which can be used again. The other method is to collect all the pieces of unfired clay into a sealable plastic bag, and add a couple of drops of water. After the clay softens a little, and with patience, you can work it back into pliable clay. Remember to add small amounts of water at a time, and allow it to soak in.
(Please note: If you combine any Low Fire Clay with any regular Art Clay Silver, you must fire at the temperature of the clay with the highest minimum firing temperature.) How thin can I make my Silver Art Clay pendant? TOP
1mm thick will make a strong, durable pendant, and our plastic slats are the perfect guides. To assure even thickness, you can roll out the clay between the plastic slats. Mat board may also be used as it is about 1 mm thick. How do you ensure Art Clay is dry before firing? TOP
The suggest drying times of regular Art Clay is:
Hair dryer: At least 10-15 minute 4 inches (10cm) from the piece.
Food Dehydrator: 10 minutes at 145ºF
Cooking plate, kiln or oven: At least 7-10 minutes at 300ºF
Natural dry: At least 24 hours at room temperature.
These times are approximates, as different conditions like humidity will affect drying time. How do you Fire Art Clay Silver? TOP
You can use a kiln, torch, or gas stove-top to fire most Art Clay Silver. Torch and gas stove methods are similar in bringing the silver up to a glowing orange, (the sintering temperature), and holding for a short period of time. Temperature is critical because over-firing can cause the silver to melt. Art Clay Silver matures at 1600ºF/870ºC, a sintering temperature. This heat causes the silver particles to fuse together. This is only slightly lower than the melting temperature for fine silver (1696ºF). Fluctuations in firing temperature can result in reaching melting temperature. What are the limitations firing with the torch or gas stove? TOP
You should not fire glass, ceramics or other materials sensitive to rapid temperature changes. You should not fire pieces larger than 25g, or work larger than a half dollar. How do you fire Art Clay Silver and Gold clay together? TOP
The best way to make a combination piece is first to make the gold element, then fire it at 1860ºF for 60 minutes (a kiln is required for firing gold clay). This will completely sinter rthe gold. Then build the Art Clay Silver around the gold element, using any of the forms of Art Clay Silver. Then fire again at 1600ºF for 10 minutes. There are several other methods available for incorporating gold into your work, such as keum bo. What other materials can I fire? TOP
Cork clay is excellent and has consistent results. You can shape it, and use it as a base to create hollow forms. Paper and pulp products like paper clay are also an option. Always check before firing anything, high temperatures can produce unexpected chemical reactions. What should I not fire? TOP
Never fire plastic, Styrofoam, or similar materials, as toxic fumes may be produced. Aluminum foil must also be avoided. The best rule is, if you are uncertain, do not fire it. How strong is Art Clay Silver? TOP
Art Clay Silver properly fired will be strong enough for making pendants, earring, rings and most common jewelry items. It will withstand normal wear and tear. Art Clay is quite durable, but requires additional support, such as 12 gauge silver wire, to make bangle-style bracelets. What is the difference between fine and sterling silver? TOP
Fine silver is pure silver (0.999 or 99.9% pure). Sterling silver is 92.5% silver to which is added other metals, primarily copper, creating an alloy. The addition of particular metals to silver makes sterling harder than fine silver. Does fine silver tarnish? TOP
Fine silver will tarnish, but not as fast as sterling. The other metals added to create sterling cause it to tarnish more rapidly. Can you add more to something once it is fired? TOP
Even if you fire a piece and are not satisfied with the result, you can add more clay and re-fire it. It's amazing to see the new clay bond to the previously fired piece and become one solid piece. During this process you can repair, add, and change your piece. (Please note: Ensure the silver is clean before adding additional Art Clay.) I've broken my piece, how can I fix it? TOP
Repairs can be made with Oil Paste, which allows you to join fired pieces back together. Art Clay Oil Paste is a great substitute for flux and solder. Can I solder findings onto my piece after I have fired it? TOP
Yes, it is very easy to solder onto Silver Art Clay. It is dense enough to accept solder because the silver particles in the unfired clay are 1 to 20 microns in size. During firing, the particles sinter closely together.
What types of metals work best with the Art Clay Silver? TOP
Fine silver, sterling silver, brass and copper all can work well with Art Clay Silver. Fine silver wire can be placed directly into the Art Clay and then fired together. The heat of the firing fuses them together, and there is no need to solder them. Brass and copper can also be used, but require special attention in design, so that the metals are captured in the Art Clay. Sterling silver works best with Low Fire Art Clay, and must be fired at lower temperatures to work successfully.
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