What we can do with metal clay 1
- Posted by Cristina Stoica
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The answer to this question is generous: all or almost all! How so? - you will ask. It's simple: metal clay is so malleable that it can be shaped in thousands of ways. The clay can take any desired shape and texture. This is due to the fact that it is a flexible material, similar to plasticine, but softer. Therefore, it can be modeled with the help of fingers, textures or molds. It can also be easily sculpted. We can make infinitely many combinations between different shapes and textures, it's all about using our imagination.
Here, for example, is a pendant, in the making of which different types of metal clay were used, as well as different techniques. The piece represents a spider weaving its dew-sprinkled web on a rusty autumn leaf. The leaf was modeled from copper metal clay and sculpted by hand, the spider web was made from silver syringe shaped clay, and cubic zirconia stones, suggestive of dew, were set in place. A texture was used when making the silver clay annuity. And the spider is made of silver wire and beads. This is also a good example of how you can combine jewelry metal clay with other techniques and materials, making mixed media pieces.
But what is the secret of this wonder material to be so flexible and versatile?
Clay (or clay) of metal is the result of modern alchemy. It is a process by which tiny metal particles, linked together by a binder, turn into an easy-to-shape material, such as clay. It is this property of easily taking any shape that gives us the opportunity to create amazing pieces, which we could hardly have achieved through conventional jewelry techniques.
Types of metal clay
Metal clay exists in many variants: clay of precious metals, such as gold and silver, or clay of non-precious metals, such as copper, brass, bronze or iron. But, apart from this classification according to the type of metal, we also distinguish different shapes, under which it is marketed. Thus there is the actual clay or metal clay or this variant in powder form, which can be mixed to the desired consistency. Then there is the metal clay in the syringe, with the help of which fine lines of metal clay can be drawn. The principle is similar to decorating a cream cake. You may not believe it, but there is also a silver paper that can be bent or twisted just like in the techniques used in origami and quilling. We also have silver paste, practically a more diluted silver clay, which can be applied with a brush or spatula.
How to choose the right product
For someone who is just getting acquainted with metal clay, this whole range of metal clay products seems confusing, but over time, when you work on certain parts, you will see that each product has its utility.
But keep in mind that you can do certain projects using different techniques and products. For example, a leaf can be made with the help of paste, if we apply several layers on a real leaf and let them dry before burning.
But printed leaves with a natural texture can be obtained by picking some leaves and then printing them on metal clay, which will then be cut after the outline of the printed leaf.
Clay in powder form
Powdered metal clay is composed of metal particles that have been combined with a required amount of binder. This composition must be hydrated to obtain a malleable clay or clay paste. Powdered clay has the advantage that it can be stored for a longer period of time than metal clay. (Goldie Metals)
Powdered clay can be used to texture metal clay. It is thus possible to obtain a texture similar to those obtained in architecture by the stucco technique.
Clay or metal clay
Metal clay it is a soft and malleable material, very receptive to textures of different kinds. Fresh clay can be rolled, molded, sculpted, textured and extruded. Wet shapes, cakes, a hobby knife, a steel blade or a professional needle can be used to cut wet metal clay.
After drying, the metal clay can be sculpted, drilled and piled, or finished with an abrasive sponge or wet wipes.
Silver paste
Silver paste it is a product similar to silver clay, but with a much thinner consistency. When we don't have silver paste sold as such, we can make it ourselves by adding water to the silver clay.
If we add only a little water, we will get a thicker paste, suitable for gluing pieces of dry silver clay, for repairs or for the integration of ready-made elements in clay.
If we add more water, we get a thin paste, the consistency of nail polish. And we can use it for repairs or soldering. It is also suitable for creating decorative textures with the help of a template or applying it on dry clay with a brush.
The paste is also used to capture the shapes in nature, for example, if we apply it with the brush in several layers on a leaf, which will burn in the oven, and the silver will replicate the respective leaf, with all its details. We can use as a support on which we apply the paste any organic material that burns in the oven, such as twigs or plant fragments, even textiles, provided they are made of natural yarns.
The paste can also be applied for decorative purposes on metal clay pieces, imitating for example sand grains, tree bark texture or leaf veins. Very interesting, due to the contrast, is the possibility to decorate pieces of copper or bronze clay with the help of silver paste.
Silver paste can also be applied to burnt metal, ceramic or glass, provided that the piece is burned at a temperature that does not destroy the material.
Metal clay syringe
Clay syringe Metal is a paste-like material, packaged in a syringe. With its help we can draw fine lines from clay. Depending on the tip attached to the syringe, the thickness of the lines may vary.
A very popular technique is the watermark. A filigree drawing is made on a sheet that is covered with a transparent foil on which we draw lines with the syringe following the contours drawn previously.
The silver paper
Yes, you read that right! There is silver paper which we can cut, bend, roll, emboss or engrave.
Unlike metal clay, which also contains water, silver paper contains oil. That is why it does not dry as fast as metal clay and is very flexible. This flexibility gives it the quality of being processed by techniques used in quilling, origami or fabrics.
Silver paper can also be used to make functional elements, such as hinges or rings and can be applied, with a decorative function, on a piece of dry or fresh metal clay. Silver paper can also be used in small repairs, adding a little water or paste.
Tip: be careful when using water in combination with metal paper! Once it has been moistened, it sticks to whatever it touches and cannot be removed. If it comes in contact with water, even a small amount, the silver paper melts.
Combinations between different types of metal clay
Some types of metal clay can combine with each other, forming a marbled effect, as in the traditional Japanese mokume gane technique.
Two or three types of metal clay can be combined with this technique. The following combinations can be made: copper with silver, gold with silver, bronze with copper, different colors of bronze, silver with gold and copper, etc.
Cristina Stoica is the one who makes sure that all the educational articles on the blog are as interesting and captivating as possible for you.