Discovering the Magic of Silver and Bronze Clay Jewellery...
Love (New obsession) at First Sight
Creativity has no limits, and when it comes to crafting jewellery, Silver Clay and Bronze Clay open up a world of endless possibilities. These materials are revolutionising how jewellery is made, allowing anyone—from beginners to experienced artisans—to create beautiful, personalised pieces, with a very low barrier to entry. It's been around a while, but its taking off in popularity in the crafting community online and it's clear why!
Before you go buying a Kiln or clay, here are a few things you should know so you don't end up overspending, or waste any precious clay. Let’s dive into it!
The Silver Story:
Silver Clay, often referred to as Precious Metal Clay (PMC), is a versatile medium made from tiny particles of pure silver, mixed with an organic binder and water. This clay-like substance is malleable and can be shaped by hand or with simple tools, allowing you to create intricate designs with ease.
Once your design is ready and you've let it air-dry, then it’s fired in a kiln, on a stovetop, or with a handheld torch, burning away the binder and leaving you with 99.9% pure silver, ready for you to polish to your hearts content—a process as magical as it is satisfying!
Why Choose Silver Clay?
- Accessibility: You don’t need to be a professional jeweller to work with Silver Clay. Its soft texture is perfect for creating detailed designs without complex equipment.
- High-Quality Results: The end product is not only beautiful but also durable, resulting in fine silver jewellery that will last for generations.
- Sustainability: Silver Clay is often made from recycled silver, making it an eco-friendly option for conscious creators.
The Buzz with Bronze:
Bronze Clay shares many similarities with Silver Clay but is made from a blend of copper and tin. Bronze has been a favourite medium for sculptures and artist for years.
Like Silver Clay, Bronze Clay can be moulded, sculpted, and shaped into jewellery or other artistic creations. After firing, it transforms into solid bronze with a beautiful golden-brown hue, perfect for those who love warmer tones in their jewellery.
Reasons to be a Bronze Baddie?
- Affordability: Bronze Clay is generally more affordable than Silver Clay, making it ideal for larger projects or for those just starting in the world of metal clay.
- Unique Aesthetic: The rich, earthy tones of bronze bring a timeless quality to your creations, whether you’re making bold statement pieces or subtle, elegant designs.
- Variety in Finishing: After firing, bronze can be polished to a high shine, left with a matte finish, or even treated with patina for an antique look.
Now... How-To Get Started with Silver and Bronze Clay
Whether you've never touched clay before or you are a seasoned creator, here’s the most basic steps to getting started:
- Gather your supplies: You’ll need Silver or Bronze Clay, basic shaping tools, cutters, clay mat, lubricant, heat proof block and a heat source for firing.
- Shape and design: Roll out your clay and start shaping. You can use textures, stamps, or freehand designs to bring your vision to life.
- Dry your piece: Before firing, ensure your piece is completely dry to avoid cracking. You can air-dry for 24 hours or warm on a hotplate.
- Fire your creation: Use a kiln or torch to fire your piece and transform it into solid metal. (A torch is a much cheaper option to try first, but your clay pieces will need to be smaller to be torch fired. The Kiln is the better choice if you want to make larger designs.)
- Finish and polish: Once cooled, polish your jewellery to the desired finish, and you’re ready to wear, gift or stare proudly your handcrafted treasure!
Why We Love Metal Clay at Intentions & Co.
Silver and Bronze Clay offer a wonderful way to bring any idea to life, while crafting wearable art. Whether you’re making jewellery as a gift, for personal use, or to sell, metal clay provides endless possibilities for customisation. Because of its fine metal nature, your designs will last a life time making them meaningful gifts to pass down and treasure through generations.
Explore our range of metal clay designs, tools and supplies... maybe you'll find a mould or template that inspires you to start your own creative clay journey!
More in-depth start up guides and tips coming soon.
Love
Intentions & Co.
