Art Clay Basics
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| There are currently 3 different types of
Art Clay Silver, 3 types of Art Clay Silver
Paste, 1 type of Art Clay Silver Syringe
and 1 type of Art Clay Silver Paper. Each
type of clay and clay product handles slightly
differently and has it’s own unique working
properties. By knowing the properties of
each clay product, we can make smart choices
about what clay to use for a project and
take advantage of the unique characteristics
of each material. |
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The Art Clay Silver Forms: Lump, Slip &
Paper
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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 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 for a hollow form,
and decoration. The syringe is used to extrude
wire for decorating, setting stones, filling
cracks, etc.
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, folded like oragami,
shapes can be
cut out with punches and
applied as decoration.
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Lump Form - ACS Standard Slow Dry
Art Clay Silver Slow Dry is a terrific product
and is packaged in the silver Mylar-sealed
packet. The moister 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.
You may combine the Slow Dry elements with
all other Art Clay types for firing. Slow
Dry Silver Clay dries 5 times slower than
Art Clay Silver Standard. This makes
it perfect for braiding or fine detail. During
firing this clay shrinks between 8-10%. |
| Uses |
This clay is perfect for 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
temperature of 1450F can be embedded and
fired in place. This includes some natural
gemstones, lab gems, cubic zirconia and porcelain. |
| Firing Options |
|
Temperature |
Hold Time |
| Kiln |
1650F
1450F |
2 hours (optimum)
30 min |
| Torch |
Not Recommended |
30 min |
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Lump Form - ACS 650 Low Fire
Low Fire Art Clay Silver can be fired as
low as 1200F; perfect for use with glass.
Shrinkage is only 8-9%, the lowest ever.
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
10 min |
| Torch |
Red Glow |
5 min |
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Lump Form - ACS Low Fire Slow Dry
Low Fire Art Clay Silver can be fired as
low as 1200F; perfect for use with glass.
Shrinkage is only 8-9%, the lowest ever.
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
1650F
1380F
1290F
1200F |
2 hours (optimum)
30 min
10 min
15 min
30 min |
| Torch |
Red Glow |
5 min |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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