Frequently Asked Questions

Is designing jewellery using Art Clay Silver expensive?
What is Art Clay Silver?
Where can I buy Art Clay?
How do I keep Silver Art Clay moist and malleable?
How should I store opened Art Clay?
How do I dry Art Clay?
How do I Fire Art Clay Silver?
Are there materials that I should I not fire?
What is the difference between fine and sterling silver?
Does fine silver tarnish?
What types of metals work best with the Art Clay Silver?
Can I add more to a piece once it is fired? What gemstones are best to use in Art Clay Silver?
Can I use natural gemstones?
How can I set natural stones in Art Clay that can't be fired?
Can I fire Art Clay Silver onto ceramics? Can I incorporate glass with Art Clay Silver?
Where can I find Art Clay Silver classes?

Q. Is designing jewellery using Art Clay Silver expensive?

A: On the contrary, you will find the costs of producing super-fine (99.9% pure) silver jewellery very affordable and easily achievable using our classes and proven techniques. You can also recycle any mistakes you might make initially without loss!

Q. What is Art Clay Silver?

A: Art Clay Silver is pure silver powder combined with non-toxic binders and water. When kiln, torch or gas stovetop fired, the binders burn away, leaving pure, 99.9% silver. Art Clay Silver can be added to a variety of media: glass, ceramics, porcelain and polymer clay to name a few. It can be rolled, sculpted, stamped, sanded, filed, engraved, drilled and pre-polished, all prior to firing. Once fired, it is pure silver and can be treated like any other pure silver. More information about the different products can be found here.

Q. Where Can I buy Art Clay?

A: You can buy Art Clay materials from Wow Jewellery Designs as we are authorised distributors. To do so contact us by phone or email.

Q. How do you keep Art Clay Silver moist and malleable?

A: Once you open the Mylar package, the clay begins to dry, much like porcelain. You can use water and a moist brush to lightly hydrate the Art Clay while you shape your work. Keeping the clay covered with something moist will let you put it down momentarily.

Q. How should I store opened Art Clay?

A: Keep all unused portions of Art Clay pliable in an airtight package, like a clay keeper. You can also use plastic wrap, then double seal it in a small plastic bag, with a moist sponge at the bottom. This will also keep the clay pliable. Store in a cool dark place, but do not refrigerate or freeze.

Q. How do you ensure Art Clay is dry before firing?

A: The suggested drying times of regular Art Clay is:

Hair dryer: At least 10-15 minute 10cm from the piece.
Food Dehydrator: 10 minutes at 145ºF/63ºC
Cooking plate, kiln or oven: At least 7-10 minutes at 300ºF/ 150ºC
Natural dry: At least 24 hours at room temperature.

These times are approximates, as different conditions like humidity will affect drying time. Drying times for Art Clay can found on the product description and definition page.

Q. How do you Fire Art Clay Silver?

A: You can use a kiln, torch or gas stove to fire most Art Clay Silver. This chart shows the different firing times, which a kiln can easily follow. Torch and gas stove methods are similar in bringing the silver up to a glowing orange, (the sintering temperature), and holding for a short period of time. Temperature is critical because over-firing can cause the silver to melt. Art Clay Silver matures at 1600ºF/870ºC, a sintering temperature. This heat causes the silver particles to fuse together. This is only slightly lower than the melting temperature for fine silver (1696ºF/ 924ºC). Fluctuations in firing temperature can result in reaching melting temperature.

Q. Are there materials that I should I not fire?

A: Never fire plastic, Styrofoam, or similar materials, as toxic fumes may be produced. Aluminium foil must also be avoided. The best rule is, if you are uncertain, do not fire it.

Kiwi Pendant

Kiwi pendant fashioned by Maureen Kemp using Art Clay Silver

Q. What is the difference between fine and sterling silver?

A: Fine silver is pure silver (0.999 or 99.9% pure). Sterling silver is 92.5% silver to which is added other metals, primarily copper, creating an alloy. The addition of particular metals to silver makes sterling harder than fine silver.

Q. Does fine silver tarnish?

A: Fine silver will tarnish, but not as fast as sterling. The other metals added to create sterling cause it to tarnish more rapidly.

Q. What types of metals work best with the Art Clay Silver?

A: Fine silver, sterling silver, brass and copper all can work well with Art Clay Silver. Fine silver wire can be placed directly into the Art Clay and then fired together. The heat of the firing fuses them together, and there is no need to solder them. Brass and copper can also be used, but require special attention in design, so that the metals are captured in the Art Clay. Sterling silver works best with Low Fire Art Clay, and must be fired at lower temperatures to work successfully.

Q. Can you add more to something once it is fired?

A: Even if you fire a piece and are not satisfied with the result, you can add more clay and re-fire it. It's amazing to see the new clay bond to the previously fired piece and become one solid piece. During this process you can repair, add, and change your piece. (Please note: Ensure the silver is clean before adding additional Art Clay.)

Q. What gemstones are best to use in Silver Art Clay?

A: We recommend laboratory grown stones, and cubic zirconium (CZs). You can easily set these into the Art Clay and fire them with a kiln, torch, or gas stove. Remember to let pieces with stones air cool, quenching a hot stone may crack or shatter the stone.

Q. Can I use natural gemstones?

A: Some natural stones may be used, but there is always the possibility they will break, or shift colours. Stones with a hardness greater than 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale should be strong enough to survive firing. However, inclusions in the stone can cause the stone to break, and the heat may also cause the stone to shift colours, often in unattractive ways.

Q. How can I set natural stones in Art Clay that can't be fired?

A: You can set natural stones and other materials too delicate to survive the firing process by creating a bezel using fine silver bezel wire, much like regular bezel settings. Measure and form the bezel wire, as you would traditionally. Seal the seam using Oil Paste, and fire. Then press it into the Art Clay. Use Art Clay paste or syringe at the joint to reinforce the work and compensate for shrinkage. Fire the Art Clay with the bezel. After you polish the piece, you can place the stone into the bezel and close using traditional methods.

Q. Can you fire Silver Art Clay onto ceramics?

A: Yes, you have several options for working with ceramics. You can work with glazes that "open" at the temperatures Art Clay is sintered at, or you can apply Art Clay to bisque. You can also use Overlay Paste which is specially formulated to bond to glazed surfaces like porcelain.

Q. Can you use glass with Art Clay Silver?

A: Low Fire Art Clay works really well with glass. At lower temperatures of 1275-1300°F/ 690º-704ºC there is little glass movement, and no yellowing. The glass will stick directly to the silver, allowing for very creative designs. Care should be taken to properly handle and fire the glass, as glass should be annealed slowly in a kiln. Fibre paper should be used under the glass to give it a smooth backside. If you wish to draw or paint a silver design on a glass surface, Overlay Silver Paste can be used for that purpose, as it can be fired from 1200°F/ 650ºC, and is formulated to adhere to smooth surfaces.

Q. Where can I find Art Clay Silver classes?

A: If you are in the Wellington region, you can find classes by looking at our class calendar. Elsewhere, you can contact an instructor in your area. Class lists are also available on the www.artclaynz.co.nz web site.