What is Art Clay Silver?

Art Clay Silver is water-based clay made of pure silver powder, water and a bonding agent.  Once Art Clay Silver has dried, it becomes hard like plaster, enabling you to carve it with a file or craving tool.  Even after drying, Art Clay Silver may be changed back to clay with the addition of water - leftover pieces and powder resulting from the filing process may be recycled as clay or paste, leaving no waste.  Because Art Clay Silver is "silver clay", you can create any shape you can imagine.  You can also set and fire coloured stones into Art Clay Silver, and you may patina your finished piece.   After firing, Art Clay Silver becomes 99.9% pure silver, and the length of the finished products shrink about 9% compared to the dried clay. 

Steps required for Art Clay Silver to become a pure silver article.

1.  Molding.

Just like molding clay, Art Clay Silver can be rolled, stretched and made into various shapes.  The molded clay should be made slightly larger than the finished piece is expected to be, because the clay will shrink about 9% when fired.

2. Drying.

Molded clay should be dried for 24 hours at room temperature, or it may be dried more quickly using a hairdryer.  Once the clay is dried it will be as hard as plaster.

3.  Prefinishing.

Use a file to fine-tune the shape of the hardened clay.  You may also use a craft knife or carving tool to add design such as patterns and initials.  Finally, use fine sandpaper to polish the hardened clay before firing.

4.  Firing.

The molded clay can be fired using a torch, on a gas hob, or in an electric kiln.  By firing, the colour of the Art Clay will become pure white, indicating that the product is pure silver.

5.  Finishing.

Polish the Art Clay with a stainless steel brush or burnisher.  By polishing, the surface will shine with pure silver colour.  If required, you may patina your finished piece.

6.  After care.

Because the finished piece is pure silver, with time the colour changes due to reaction with moisture, sweat and sulfur in the air, and will need to be polished at regular intervals to keep the beautiful silver shine.