Metal Clay Firing Service
Don't have a kiln? Let me fire your silver metal clay projects for you! I can fire any brand or formula of metal clay. I can also handle burnout materials such as cork clay and inclusions such as firable gemstones, glass and ceramics.
Standard silver clay firing: $10 per 6"x6" shelf
Slow ramp or burnout materials: $15 per 6" x 6" shelf
One fee for as much as you want to put on the shelf!
Brushing and Tumbling: $3 for the first piece, $1 for each additional piece
Pam East does not assume any liability for faults in construction or materials. It is up to the customer to ensure that the pieces have been well made and any inclusions are firable. Customers must provide clear information on brand and formulas of metal clay used.
Contact Pam at 678-566-0447 or pam@pameast.net for more info or to arrange service.
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 Accent your silver with Art Clay Gold Paste
By Pam
East
Let's face it, people like gold, and
what's more luscious looking that gold jewelry? But with the price of gold
pushing a grand an ounce, making jewelry out of this pricey material has moved
out of reach for most of us these days. Fortunately, there are ways to get the
look without the cost. Two-tone silver/gold jewelry is becoming increasingly
popular. It has the advantage of going with everything, and the gold accents
give the piece an extra richness. And by using the gold as just an accent you
can keep the cost way down.
There are two fairly easy and
affordable ways to add gold to your silver jewelry. Gold Foil Keum-boo is
probably the most popular and it works great for a lot of applications, but it's
not as good for more three-dimensional pieces or very precise applications.
This is where Art Clay Gold paste really comes in to its own. Because you use a
brush to apply it you can be very controlled and precise. The key is getting it
to bond with the silver without it peeling or chipping off. Fortunately a tip I
recently got from Tonya Davidson at Whole Lotta Whimsy pointed me in the right
direction and I'm now getting perfect, consistent results; and you can too! The
secret is using Art Clay Overlay paste to improve the bond. Silver Overlay
Paste is formulated to create a strong bond with slick or vitreous surfaces. We
all know it works great on ceramic glazes and glass, but it's also great for
attaching new material to already fired silver surfaces.
Don't let the cost of a jar of gold
paste put you off. You use such a tiny amount that a little bit goes a very
long way.
Tools &
Materials:
Art Clay Silver (any
formula)
Art Clay Silver Overlay
Paste
Art Clay Gold Paste &
Media
Very fine
brushes
Distilled
water
Instructions:
- Make your silver piece
and fire it as you normally would. Do NOT brush, tumble or finish it in any way
after it's fired. You will be applying the gold to the un-finished white
surface.
- After it's fired and
cooled, apply a very thin coat of Art Clay Silver Overlay paste to the areas you
want to be gold and allow it to dry.
- Apply two or three very
thin coats of Art Clay Gold Paste over the Overlay paste, letting it dry between
coats.
- Once the Overlay paste
and gold is applied and dried you're ready to fire it. Use a torch directed at
the gold to fire the piece. Bring the piece to sintering temperature. You'll
be looking for that familiar salmon pink color on the silver. The gold may
appear a slightly brighter orange color. Once you reach this point, keep it
there for just 5 to 10 seconds. It really doesn't take any longer than that.
- Allow the piece to cool
slightly, but not completely. Use tweezers to hold it in place while you use an
agate burnisher to firmly burnish the gold areas. Once the gold is burnished
and the piece has cooled completely, you can gently use a soft brass wire brush
on the whole piece. Work with soap and water to avoid transferring any brass to
the piece.
- At this point just toss
it in the tumbler for up to an hour to finish it off.
Voila! That's it! You'll be amazed
at the finished results!
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New Classes
Join me for a retreat to the John C. Campbell Folkschool. It's is the ultimate gift to
yourself! You will stay on campus and eat in the communal dining hall,
emersing yourself in the experience. Classes are held in the morning
and afternoon, with additional activites available in the evenings. The supportive, non-competative environment is sure to inspire your creativity!
The following classes are now open for registration. Click the title for more info.
Enameling on Metal Clay-Beyond the Basics
January 4 - 10, 2009
Art Clay Silver & Photopolymer Plates
May 29 - 31, 2009
Art Clay Silver Basics
May 31 - June 6, 2009
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