Art Clay Fine Silver Products
There are several formulations of Art
Clay Silver. Each type of clay and clay product handles slightly differently and has its 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 origami. Shapes can be cut out with punches and applied as decoration.
Lump Form Product Properties
Lump Form - Art Clay Silver
Art Clay Silver can be fired as low as 1200°F / 649°C which makes it perfect for combining with glass, porcelain and ceramic materials, and is also suitable for firing with sterling silver findings or wire. Shrinkage is 8-9%. Because of the lower firing temperature, this clay be fired with a wider variety of gemstones, and glass colors stay true.
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Uses
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This clay is perfect to be fired by itself or combined with glass or sterling silver wire and settings.
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Workability
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Metal Clay can dry out very quickly, reducing its workability. If the clay becomes stuff during use, add a few drops of distilled water and knead well. Be sure to keep any unused portions of clay tightly sealed from air.
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Embedded
Objects
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Any object that can withstand the firing temperature of 1200°F can be embedded and fired in place. This includes glass, some natural gemstones, nano gems, lab gems, cubic zirconia and porcelain. Check out our
Gemstone Firing Guide for details on a specific stone. |
Firing
Options
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Kiln Temperature/Hold Time:
1472°F/800°C 5 min
1380°F/749°C 10 min
1290°F/699°C 15 min
1200°F/699°C 30+ min
Torch/Hold Time: Red Glow/5 min
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Lump Form - Art Clay Silver 950
Art Clay silver 950 comes in a pre-mixed clay form, ready to use. This product is 90% Silver and Copper alloy and 10% binder and water. The surface hardness and bending strength of ACS 950 is approximately 60% stronger than regular Art Clay Silver.
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Uses
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The finished silver surface is more resistant to scratches which is more suitable for rings and cuffs.
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Workability
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Working ACS 950 is not significantly different from working with regular ACS. If the clay feels a little stiff when first taking out of the package, knead well before use. For short-term storage, use a clay hydrator. For long-term storage, seal clay tightly in plastic wrap and store in a refrigerator
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Embedded
Objects
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Any object that can withstand the firing temperatures and times noted below can be embedded and fired in place. Check out our
Gemstone Firing Guide for details on a specific stone.
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Firing
Options
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Kiln Temperature/Hold Time:
Stage 1: 932°F / 500°C 30 minutes then increase temperature to Stage 2
Stage 2: 1598°F / 870°C 60 minutes - When complete, leave piece(s) in the kiln and wait until the temperature decreases to 392°F / 200°C
Torch/Hold Time: Red Glow/5 min
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Slip (or Paste Form) Product Properties
Art Clay Silver - Syringe Type
This product is Art Clay Silver in a syringe. By using clay in syringe form, you can draw designs directly onto your designs and create lines and patterns which were formerly difficult to produce with conventional types of metal clay.
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Uses
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Great for filling cracks, or creating details and decorations on unfired clay. Also good for creating a bezel to set fire safe czs and lab gemstones.
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Workability
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All metal clay can and does dry out quickly. This product is water-based and can dry up. When not in use, keep the syringe tightly capped. When working with syringe type clays, keep the tip(s) submerged in water to prevent the drying out of the clay. This clay has a 8-9% shrinkage rate.
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Embedded
Objects
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The special formula of this product allows for the combination of glass, porcelain and ceramic materials, and is also suitable for firing with sterling silver.
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Firing
Options
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Fire at the same times and temperatures as lump form Art Clay Silver Clay.
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Art Clay Silver - Paste Type
Art Clay Silver Paste is 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 be used to bond pieces, and mend cracks created while working with Art Clay Silver Paste.
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Uses
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This type of clay is used for coating organic materials, mending cracks or bonding pieces of dried Art Clay Silver components and attaching silver findings into a wet or dry Art Clay piece. Art Clay Silver has an 8-9% shrinkage rate after firing.
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Workability
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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 capped tightly. If it dries out, add a small amount of distilled water to rehydrate.
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Embedded
Objects
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Follow the guidelines for the lump form Art Clay Silver Clay.
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Firing
Options
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Fire at the same recommended temperatures as lump form Art Clay Silver Clay.
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Art Clay Silver - Overlay Paste
Low fire, water-based silver clay in paste form. Specially formulated for use on glass, glazed porcelain, and ceramics, so you can express 3 dimensional drawings. During firing, the pure silver powder solidifies and turns into 99.9% silver.
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Uses
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This paste type is perfect for use with glass, glazed porcelain, sterling silver and settings. Overlay Silver Paste is in a viscous, liquid form and water soluble so that you can express 3 dimensional drawings on a surface of porcelain, ceramic or glass. After firing, this product turns into 99% silver form.
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Workability
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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 distilled water to rehydrate.
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Embedded
Objects
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Any object(s) that can withstand the firing temperature of 1200°F / 649°C can be embedded and fired in place. This includes glass, some natural gemstones, lab gems, cubic zirconia and porcelain.
Refer to our Gemstone firing guide.
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Firing
Options
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Kiln Temperature/Hold Time:
1650°F/899°C 2 hours
1200°F/649°C 30 min
1290°F/699°C 15 min
1380°F/749°C 10 min
Torch/Hold Time: Red Glow/5 min
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*After reaching selected temperature, turn off kiln and cool down to 210°F before removing piece from kiln.
*This product must be fired with a programmable electric kiln, which is equipped with a temperature control.
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".
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Uses
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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.
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Workability
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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. |
Embedded
Objects
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Fine silver wire, bezel wire, and findings.
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Firing
Options
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Place in a cold kiln and slow ramp to 1472°F/800°C. Hold for 30 minutes.
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