Article Written By: Glenn Tucker
Art clay is an essential item for jewellery makers as it is easy to use and cheap to buy. It cannot just create what you want, but will give it a professional finish. It is a very versatile product which is relatively new in the jewellery making world. A great benefit of art clay is that it is simple to use and you don't need to spend years training as a Silversmith to make use of this product.Art clay, sometimes known as art clay silver is made up of tiny particles of pure silver, which are bound together to form a clay like substance. From this, the clay can be manipulated to however you need it, for example it can be rolled, flattened or cut with a blade. The clay then has to be fired in either a kiln or with a simple gas torch; it is this process that turns the art clay into pure silver. The heat evaporates the water away and burns away the gum so you are left only with the silver. Now the clay has turned to pure silver, it can be manipulated like any other metal.It comes in many forms such as paper, paste and even syringes form. This means you have different options to design your jewellery with depending on how it will look. It is not just limited to using silver. You can use gold, bronze, copper and even dichroic glass. Dichroic glass reflects and refracts light of different colours, like a peacocks feathers. This means jewellery making is practically limitless. Design necklaces, bracelets, broaches, earrings and if you're brave enough you could try producing small ornaments. You can also set stones into art clay.There are courses available where you can learn how to create art clay jewellery pieces and gain a certificate. So if you fancy learning something new, extending your hobby on jewellery making, then take up art clay jewellery making, for professional looking pieces which will impress and delight recipients, and add a pretty embellishment whatever the item of jewellery.Although easy to use from the get go, the more you practice your skills with art clay, the more proficient you will be, and more intricate designs you will be able to create. In time using this product will become second nature to a jewellery maker, and the range of designs for jewellery items it allows you to create cannot be underestimated.
This Article Has Been Published on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 and Read 221 Times