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Post by TeuchterPea on Mar 23, 2016 23:45:38 GMT
I love experimenting with silver/copper/bronze clay though so far not very successfully. Sadly it is pretty expensive in the UK so I was wondering, does any one use any over there (any type which can be torch fired) and where is a cheap-ish place to buy it from? A friend has offered to fetch some home for me if it proves cheaper than buying it over here.
Oh and if you have made anything, please share- I'm looking for inspiration.
Many thanks
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Mar 24, 2016 13:10:54 GMT
I just started with it myself and haven't made much. It's still pretty expensive here but it might be cheaper with the Canadian dollar. 20 grams of silver is about $60 Canadian for the low fire. That's about 30 pound? The bronze is cheaper. it might be worth ordering it to the UK. Eta- eh, it's 34 pound on Amazon so probably not worth it! I thought our crappy dollar might work in your favour maybe the U.S. Will be cheaper, though I think because it is precious metal, the prices may be globally similar.
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Post by TeuchterPea on Mar 25, 2016 17:39:36 GMT
I just started with it myself and haven't made much. It's still pretty expensive here but it might be cheaper with the Canadian dollar. 20 grams of silver is about $60 Canadian for the low fire. That's about 30 pound? The bronze is cheaper. it might be worth ordering it to the UK. Eta- eh, it's 34 pound on Amazon so probably not worth it! I thought our crappy dollar might work in your favour maybe the U.S. Will be cheaper, though I think because it is precious metal, the prices may be globally similar. Thank you for looking. I was hoping that because one type (at least) is made in USA it might be a bit cheaper! I think we have to import from either USA or Japan. I love it, I just wish I could make something that turned out as beautiful in reality as it is in my head.
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Mar 25, 2016 19:29:56 GMT
Get some Fimo polymer clay and practice with it. It's not that expensive, and gets you used to working with it as a trial run. My daughter and I do lots of Fimo crafts and jewellry for her babies and dolls, and I find the pmc is not a far leap so I am comfortable with it. It's a touch more finicky but very similar.
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Post by Lexica on Mar 25, 2016 23:02:03 GMT
I haven't used it yet, but I have been eyeing a class on Craftsy where you use the silver metal clay. I just did a quick google and am quite surprised to see that Walmart carries it! They have the copper, 50 grams for 18.03. The silver low fire, which is what I believe that class recommended, is 10 grams for 27.19. I don't know how that compares for you, or how long a 10g packet would last you. It is pricy! I can see me using it to embellish pieces that I am making for necklaces. Or maybe make some leaves out of the silver to go with a single pearl that I have adorning my sister's "wishing" necklace.
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Post by TeuchterPea on Mar 26, 2016 0:02:30 GMT
I haven't used it yet, but I have been eyeing a class on Craftsy where you use the silver metal clay. I just did a quick google and am quite surprised to see that Walmart carries it! They have the copper, 50 grams for 18.03. The silver low fire, which is what I believe that class recommended, is 10 grams for 27.19. I don't know how that compares for you, or how long a 10g packet would last you. It is pricy! I can see me using it to embellish pieces that I am making for necklaces. Or maybe make some leaves out of the silver to go with a single pearl that I have adorning my sister's "wishing" necklace. I really want to convert some of DD's childhood drawings into necklaces. The copper is a bit cheaper than here. Silver is slightly more though. Thank you for the info. 10g would make a ring or one small pendant. It doesn't go far, sadly, but it is a really satisfying thing when it does work out. You don't need a lot of equipment to start off with- you can fire it in the gas cooker flame if it is under 20 grams in weight.
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Post by Lexica on Mar 26, 2016 3:22:56 GMT
I haven't used it yet, but I have been eyeing a class on Craftsy where you use the silver metal clay. I just did a quick google and am quite surprised to see that Walmart carries it! They have the copper, 50 grams for 18.03. The silver low fire, which is what I believe that class recommended, is 10 grams for 27.19. I don't know how that compares for you, or how long a 10g packet would last you. It is pricy! I can see me using it to embellish pieces that I am making for necklaces. Or maybe make some leaves out of the silver to go with a single pearl that I have adorning my sister's "wishing" necklace. I really want to convert some of DD's childhood drawings into necklaces. The copper is a bit cheaper than here. Silver is slightly more though. Thank you for the info. 10g would make a ring or one small pendant. It doesn't go far, sadly, but it is a really satisfying thing when it does work out. You don't need a lot of equipment to start off with- you can fire it in the gas cooker flame if it is under 20 grams in weight. Ok, if 10g would make up a ring, that would be almost $30 for one silver ring. Not an outrageous amount, but for some reason, when I am making something, I like to make it as inexpensively as possible. I don't know why I do that. If one of the craft stores carries it, possibly Hobby Lobby, you can get it with a 40% to 50% off coupon, unless it is one of their "special" items that they won't sell on coupon. That would make me feel better about trying it out.
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Post by TeuchterPea on Mar 26, 2016 20:17:24 GMT
I really want to convert some of DD's childhood drawings into necklaces. The copper is a bit cheaper than here. Silver is slightly more though. Thank you for the info. 10g would make a ring or one small pendant. It doesn't go far, sadly, but it is a really satisfying thing when it does work out. You don't need a lot of equipment to start off with- you can fire it in the gas cooker flame if it is under 20 grams in weight. Ok, if 10g would make up a ring, that would be almost $30 for one silver ring. Not an outrageous amount, but for some reason, when I am making something, I like to make it as inexpensively as possible. I don't know why I do that. If one of the craft stores carries it, possibly Hobby Lobby, you can get it with a 40% to 50% off coupon, unless it is one of their "special" items that they won't sell on coupon. That would make me feel better about trying it out. Unfortunately it is a craft that you can't economise on- if you don't use enough clay it can break easily as I know to my cost. I'll see if my friend is going to be anywhere near a Hobby Lobby, thanks.
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M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128
Jun 29, 2014 12:11:41 GMT
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Post by M in Carolina on Mar 26, 2016 22:44:17 GMT
Is this the kind that when you fire it the clay burns off and leaves the silver or copper? I think this is an awesome craft. I've even seen little kilns that work in the microwave--Amazon perhaps? It was a few years ago, so I don't remember where I saw it. ETA: my dh bought me a little packet of loose semi precious stones--amethysts, topaz, and citrines from a Woot! that I have no idea what to do with. I think they'd be cool set into a silver band. I also love the necklaces that look like wax seals. Sterling compass steal pendant
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