THE MATERIAL AND THE PROCESS
Metal Clay is a relatively new and innovative art form. Silver, bronze, copper and steel particles are combined with water and a binding agent to produce a malleable clay. The clay can be shaped, rolled, textured, carved and/or cut and then left to dry. Once dried, it is sanded and refined before firing with a torch or in a kiln. During the firing process, referred to as sintering, the binder is burned off and the remaining particles condense into a solid piece of metal.The piece can be further refined and polished, or left in the natural state.
Working with Metal Clay feels like a creative chemistry experiment–some aspects can be controlled, others not. While silver clay (known as Precious Metal Clay) can be torched, I prefer to fire it, in open air in a kiln. Because bronze, copper and steel contain alloys, the pieces are embedded in activated carbon and always fired in a kiln. These metals emerge from the firing process with a natural warmth and a matte finish. Carbon fired bronze often retains an astonishing raku-like patina. Both silver and the base metal clays produce a metal that can be sanded to a high polish, as well as a matte finish. All of these clays are safe and environmentally friendly.