Metal Clay - what is it?

What is metal clay? It is a clay-like material made from minute particles of finely ground metal, a non-toxic organic binder and water.    What can you do with it? In its clay form (it also comes as paste, paper and in a syringe), it can be rolled, coiled, textured, moulded and extruded just like ordinary clay.  Once the water evaporates from the clay, it can be fired using a kiln, a gas hob or a butane torch.   This is the magical bit, the organic binder burns away, the metal particles sinter and the end result is pure metal.   What is it like to work with? Metal clay is easy to work with you don’t need any specialist skills, special equipment or previous experience to use it.  It is a versatile medium and can be used successfully by anyone Working with silver metal clay   What is it like to work with? Metal clay is easy to work with you don’t need any specialist skills, special equipment or previous experience to use it.  It is a versatile medium and can be used successfully by anyone   What sort of metal clays are available? Metal clay comes in lump form and it is sold in sealed packets to keep it moist and workable. Currently there are silver, gold, copper and bronze versions available.  Silver metal clay was developed first and as a result it is now available in a greater variety of forms; as a soft clay in a pre-filled syringe which can be used to produce extruded forms, slip and as paper-like sheets, from which most of the moisture has been removed.  Silver metal clay was the first to be developed, in the early 1990s, and is consequently the best known of all the metal clays.   Lump metal clay in bronze was introduced in 2008 and copper clay followed in 2009.  Pieces made from silver metal clay contain 99.9% silver, known as fine silver, which is purer than sterling silver which is 92.5% pure silver.                      Pieces incorporating fired elments of bronze and silver clay   HSJ offers a variety of workshops in metal clays, designed for both the first-time user or someone who already has experience of this amazing material.   You can start with our Introduction to Silver Clay workshop and progress through the Intermediate and Advanced workshops or try your hand at making your own metal clay ring on our Silver Clay Rings workshop or adding gold to your pieces on our Keum Boo workshop, the choice is yours.  Our experienced tutors will provide you with all the information and assistance you need to create your own unique piece of jewellery. Check out our Jewellery workshops by clicking here.