Art Clay Fine Silver Products
There are several formulations of ArtClay Silver. Each type of clay and clay product handles slightly differently and has it's own unique working properties which makes some clays good for certain applications. By knowing the properties of each clay product, you can make smart choices about what clay to use for a project and take advantage of the unique characteristics of each material.
The Art Clay Forms - Lump, Slip & Paper
Lump Form
The basic clay material is called "lump form". It comes in a sealed foil packet and is ready to use. Lump form is used to roll slabs, snakes and to mold or sculpt objects. Lump form can be thinned with water and used as a paste.
Slip (or Paste) Form
Slip (or Paste) form comes in a jar or loaded in a syringe. The paste form is used like glue to paste wet or dry silver clay objects in place, as a media for slip casting, for painting onto an object to create a hollow form, and for decoration. The syringe, which is thicker than the paste version, is used to extrude wire for decorating, setting stones, filling cracks, etc.
Paper Form
Paper form is a thin sheet of clay that can be used to make bezels for objects to be set before or after firing, used for ring shanks, and folded like oragami. Shapes can be cut out with punches and applied as decoration.
Lump Form Product Properties
Lump Form - ACS Standard Slow Dry
Art Clay Silver Slow Dry dries slower than other forms of ArtClay Silver. This special formula allows for braiding, weaving, and generally gives the artist up to 5 times more working time. It is a wonder for those who live in excessively dry areas. We recommend the unfired clay be no more than 3mm thick. You can make large items, but they need to be layered, such as flower petals, so the pieces will dry properly. Slow Dry elements can be combined with other Art Clay types and fired together. During firing this clay shrinks between 8-10%.
| Uses |
Braiding, fine detail and molds. |
| Workability |
ACS Standard Slow Dry dries 5 times slower than ACS standard, which gives a longer working time. Be sure to keep any unused portions tightly sealed form air because all metal clay dries very quickly when exposed to air. |
Embedded
Objects |
Any object that can withstand the firing temperatures and times ArtClay Silver can be embedded and fired in place. Some natural gemstones, lab gems and cubic zirconia, and porcelain can be embedded and co-fired. |
Firing
Options |
| |
Temperature |
Hold Time |
| Kiln |
1650F
1450F |
2 hours (optimum)
30 min |
| Torch |
Not Recommended |
30 min |
|
Lump Form - ACS 650 Low Fire
Low Fire Art Clay Silver can be fired as low as 1200F, which makes it perfect for firing glass. Shrinkage is 8-9%. Glass colors stay true, no yellowing, and there is little movement. Because of the lower firing temperature, this clay fires a wider variety of gemstones. Sterling silver findings and settings can easily be incorporated into your projects with ACS 650 Low Fire.
| Uses |
This clay is perfect for use with glass and sterling silver and settings. |
| Workability |
ACS 650 Low-Fire clay can dry very quickly. If the clay becomes stiff during use add a few drops of distilled water and knead well. This clay has and 8-9% shrinkage. |
Embedded
Objects |
Any object that can withstand the firing temperature of 1200F can be embedded and fired in place. This includes glass, some natural gemstones, lab gems, cubic zirconia and porcelain. |
Firing
Options |
| |
Temperature |
Hold Time |
| Kiln |
1650F
1380F
1290F
1200F |
2 hours (optimum)
10 min
15 min
10min |
| Torch |
Red Glow |
5 min |
|
Lump Form - ACS Low Fire Slow Dry
Low Fire Art Clay Silver can be fired as low as 1200F, and is perfect for use with glass. Shrinkage is only 8-9%. Glass colors stay true, no yellowing, and there is little movement. Because of the lower firing temperature, this clay fires a wider variety of gemstones. Sterling silver findings and settings can easily be incorporated into your projects with ACS 650 Low Fire Slow Dry. The slow dry aspect of this clay allows the artist 5 times more working time.
| Uses |
This clay is perfect for use with glass and sterling silver and settings. |
| Workability |
ACS 650 Low-Fire clay can dry very quickly. If the clay becomes stiff during use add a few drops of distilled water and knead well. This clay has and 8-9% shrinkage. |
Embedded
Objects |
Any object that can withstand the firing temperature of 1200F can be embedded and fired in place. This includes glass, some natural gemstones, lab gems, cubic zirconia and porcelain. |
Firing
Options |
| |
Temperature |
Hold Time |
| Kiln |
1650F
1650F
1380F
1290F
1200F |
2 hours (optimum)
30 min
10 min
15 min
10min |
| Torch |
Red Glow |
5 min |
|
Slip (or Paste Form) Product Properties
Art Clay Silver - Syringe Form
ACS 650 Low Fire is available in syringe form. By using the syringe type of clay, you can draw designs directly onto pieces and create subtle patterns which were formerly difficult to produce with conventional materials.
| Uses |
Can be used to fill cracks or decorate unfired pieces. |
| Workability |
ACS 650 Low-Fire clay can dry very quickly. This product is water based and can dry up. Always keep the syringe tightly capped. This clay has and 8-9% shrinkage. |
Embedded
Objects |
The special formula of this product allows for combination with glass, porcelain and ceramic materials, and is also suitable for firing with sterling silver. |
Firing
Options |
Fire at the same temperature as the lump form ACS 650 Clay. |
Art Clay Silver - 650 Low Fire Paste
Used to coat or paint organic materials such as leaves, twigs, or paper forms. During the firing process, the organic material burns away leaving fine detail captured in silver. It can also used to bond pieces, and mend cracks created while working with ACS 650 Low Fire Clay.
| Uses |
This clay is used for coating organic materials and to bond pieces or mend cracks on ACS 650 Low Fire Lump Clay. |
| Workability |
Some silver settling may occur at the bottom of the jar. Stir the paste with a brush or metal spatula before use. This product is water-based and can dry. Always keep the container tightly capped. If it dries, add a small amount of water to re-hydrate. |
Embedded
Objects |
Follow the guidelines for the lump form ACS 650 Low Fire Clay. |
Firing
Options |
Fire at the same temperature as the lump form ACS 650 Low Fire Clay. |
Art Clay Silver - Oil Paste
This paste is oil based rather than water based, this paste is essential for any post-firing repairs. It can be used to attach fired pieces together, or to add pure silver findings to fired pieces.
| Uses |
This clay is used for post firing repairs, attaching fired pieces or adding fine silver findings to fired pieces. |
| Workability |
If the paste becomes stiff, add a few drops of thinner and stir with a stick or metal rod. Seal the cap to prevent it from drying and keep it indoors and out of direct sunlight. |
Embedded
Objects |
Fine silver wire, bezel wire, and findings. |
Firing
Options |
Place in a room temperature kiln; fire to 1472F for 30 minutes or 1560F for 10 minutes. |
Paper Form Product Properties
Art Clay Silver - Paper Form
Art Clay Silver Paper Type is a precious metal material that is composed of pure silver after firing. You can easily fold, bend, cut with scissors or paper punches just like you would do with regular paper. You can easily apply techniques from Origami, paper crafting, or leather crafting. Sheets are 3" x 3".
| Uses |
This is a unique, paper-thin sheet of silver clay that needs no drying time. Created for origami, you can also fold, pleat, or punch out shapes for use as appliqué. |
| Workability |
This product has different characteristics from other Art Clay Silver products. Do not apply moisture onto the surface. It will remain soft during your work. Can be used with Art Clay Silver Oil Paste, but not with 650 Low Fire Paste. |
Embedded
Objects |
Fine silver wire, bezel wire, and findings. |
Firing
Options |
Place in a cold kiln and ramp at 2000F per hour to 1472F. Hold for 30 minutes. |
Art Clay Products
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