Can You Make Metal Clay?
What is Metal Clay?
Metal clay is a modeling and sculpting material that consists of small metal particles like silver, copper, or bronze mixed with an organic binder and water. It has a soft, pliable texture like clay when hydrated, allowing it to be shaped into detailed jewelry designs and sculptures.
The most common types of metal clay contain fine silver particles (at least 60-90%), water, and an organic binder made from plant materials like cellulose gum or carboxymethyl cellulose. Less expensive versions may have lower silver content around 50-60%, with the rest being copper or bronze.
The origins of metal clay date back to the 1990s in Japan, when artist-craftsman Makoto Okazaki first invented it while looking for a new material to work with. His early iterations were made from fine silver particles mixed with water and glue. This allowed the metal to be shaped like clay without the need for heat or molds.
In the decades since, metal clay has continued to grow in popularity among jewelry makers, crafters and artists. New formulas have been developed by major brands like PMC and Art Clay for optimal workability and firing results. While the basics remain the same, there are now many types and flavors of metal clay available.
Making Your Own Metal Clay
Making your own metal clay at home is an affordable way to start working with this versatile material without having to buy premade commercial clay. The main ingredients needed are metal powder, an organic binder, and water. Here’s what you’ll need to gather before starting:
- Fine silver, copper, or bronze powder – Look for powder that is extra-fine, around 1-3 microns in size for best results.
- Organic binder – Non-toxic options like cornstarch, gum tragacanth, or plant cellulose work well.
- Distilled water
- Containers for mixing and storing
- Digital scale for weighing ingredients
Follow these simple steps to make your own batch of metal clay:
- Measure out the metal powder – A good starting ratio is 60% metal powder, 30% binder, and 10% water.
- Mix the dry ingredients first before slowly adding water little by little. You want a smooth, claylike texture.
- Knead thoroughly until the ingredients blend and bind together.
- Store unused clay in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
Tips for best results:
- Wear a dust mask when handling dry metal powder
- Use distilled water to prevent contamination
- Mix small test batches first to tweak your recipe
- The clay consistency should be smooth, not sticky or crumbly
- Let your clay rest at least 24 hours for the ingredients to fully bind before using
Types of Metal Clay
There are several types of metal clay available, each with their own unique properties and characteristics.
Silver Clay
Silver clay is the most popular and widely used type of metal clay. It is made from fine silver particles mixed with an organic binder and water. Silver clay is very malleable and easy to work with. It fires at a relatively low temperature, around 1300°F – 1600°F. pure silver pieces result after firing with incredible detail. Silver clay is great for jewelry, beads, charms, and small sculptures.
Copper Clay
Copper clay contains copper particles and fires to a 99% pure copper metal. It has a beautiful warm reddish tone when fired. Copper clay requires firing at higher temperatures around 1800°F – 2000°F. It is more difficult to work with and not as common as silver clay. Copper clay works well for jewelry components, beads, and decorations.
Bronze Clay
Bronze clay is made from a mixture of copper and tin particles. It can be formulated in different ratios to achieve various bronze alloys. Bronze clay fires at around 1650°F – 1850°F into a solid bronze piece. It has an attractive golden finish and is ideal for jewelry, mini sculptures, and decorations.
Steel Clay
Steel clay contains stainless steel particles and fires into 99% pure stainless steel. It requires very high firing temperatures around 2190°F. Steel clay can be challenging to work with and is less common. It is ideal for pieces that need high durability and a steely gray finish.
Working with Metal Clay
Once you have your metal clay prepared, it’s time to start shaping it into finished pieces. Metal clay is very versatile and can be worked in many ways using simple hand tools and techniques.
You’ll want to start by conditioning your clay to make it soft and pliable. Knead it well and run it through a pasta machine or clay roller repeatedly to eliminate any air pockets. Conditioning is key for getting a smooth, lump-free consistency that’s easy to work with.
Metal clay can be molded and sculpted much like any other clay. It can be rolled out into sheets or slabs and then cut, folded, or draped over forms to create shapes. Use your fingers, simple household tools, cutters, molds, textures, and stamps to add design elements. Get creative with different sculpting and modeling techniques to make freeform shapes.
Texturing metal clay adds visual interest and dimension to finished pieces. You can imprint patterns using rubber stamps, carve designs using clay tools, apply found objects or stencils as textures, or make marks by brushing, scraping, or engraving the surface. Experiment with different materials and techniques to create unique textures.
The beauty of metal clay is that it starts out soft and malleable, allows detailed shaping work, and then hardens permanently into metal form through firing. With some practice working the material, you can craft incredible jewelry, mini sculptures, beads, and more using these fundamental metal clay techniques.
Drying and Firing Metal Clay
Proper drying and firing are essential steps when working with metal clay. After molding your metal clay creation, it must be thoroughly dried before firing in a kiln. Rushing the drying process can lead to cracks and breakage.
There are a few different methods for drying metal clay:
- Air drying – Allow your piece to dry completely at room temperature. This is the most common drying method. Place the item on a non-stick surface, turning occasionally to let air reach all sides. Drying can take 12-24 hours.
- Oven drying – Gently heat pieces in the oven set to 180-200°F. Monitor closely to prevent overheating. Oven drying speeds up the process to just 1-2 hours.
- Food dehydrator – Food dehydrators with adjustable temperature settings can dry metal clay safely in 1-3 hours.
- Heat gun – Aim a heat gun on the low setting around the piece to accelerate localized drying as needed.
Once thoroughly dry, metal clay must be fired in a kiln to fuse the metals together permanently. Typical firing temperatures are between 1450-1650°F, depending on the type of clay. Carefully follow the temperature guidelines for your specific clay. Use kiln posts or a firing pan for support. Program the kiln with a ramp up time of 1-3 hours, a hold time at maximum temperature for 2-4 hours, and a gradual cool down period of 4-6 hours. With proper drying and firing, you’ll achieve beautiful finished metal clay pieces.
Finishing Metal Clay Pieces
Once your metal clay artwork has been thoroughly dried and fired, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Proper finishing will enhance the beauty of your metal clay and protect it from tarnishing and oxidation over time. Here are some key techniques for finishing fired metal clay pieces:
Polishing
Polishing brings out the shine and luster of finished metal clay artwork. Use very fine grit sandpaper, sanding sponges, or polishing pads to gently buff the surface. Work your way up through the grits for best results. Finish by polishing with a jeweler’s rouge cloth for a brilliant shine.
Adding Patina
Patina adds an antique, weathered look to metal clay. To patinate, use liver of sulfur mixed with water and apply it to the fired piece with a paintbrush or Q-tip. Let it sit for 30 seconds to 5 minutes depending on desired effect. Rinse and polish. You can also use patina gels or other chemical patinas. Experiment on test pieces first.
Sealing
Seal fired metal clay pieces with a metal sealer, patina, or Renaissance Wax to protect the surface from oxidizing and fingerprints. Apply a thin, even coat with a soft cloth and let dry completely. Sealing will help your finished metal clay artwork retain its beauty over time.
Projects for Beginners
Metal clay is an excellent material for beginners to start learning jewelry making and sculpting. The malleable nature of metal clay allows even novice crafters to shape beautiful pendants, charms, beads and small sculptures with relative ease. Here are some great starter projects to try with metal clay:
Simple jewelry pendants
Pendants are one of the most common beginner metal clay projects. All you need is a small lump of clay, texture sheets or rubber stamps to imprint patterns, and decorative beads or stones to embellish. Roll the clay into a flat oval or round shape, imprint textures if desired, attach embellishments, and pierce a hole for the cord before drying and firing.
Small sculptures
Craft miniature sculptures of animals, flowers, hearts, or abstract shapes. Metal clay holds fine detail nicely, so you can impress lines, patterns and textures to bring your artwork to life. Let your imagination guide you, and keep the sculptures small. Add hooks or loops before firing to turn them into pendants or ornaments.
Buttons and beads
Buttons make for quick, easy metal clay projects. Simply roll balls or flatten discs of clay, pierce holes with a large gauge needle or drill bit, and imprint textures as desired before firing. For beads, roll clay into balls, drop beads or teardrop shapes, and pierce holes. String together fired beads to create necklaces and bracelets.
With a little practice, beginners can shape remarkable jewelry, mini sculptures and more from metal clay. Approach your first projects with patience and creativity, and enjoy bringing your unique artwork to life in metal form.
Advanced Metal Clay Projects
Once you have mastered the basics of working with metal clay, you can move on to more complex and intricate projects. Advanced metal clay artists create stunning works of art from this versatile material.
Some examples of advanced metal clay projects include:
Larger Sculptures
Metal clay can be used to create free-standing sculptures of any size. Advanced artists may build armatures out of wire to support larger sculptures. Intricate textures, patterns, and details can be molded into the clay. Firing a large sculpture may require using a kiln rather than a handheld torch.
Jewelry Sets
Jewelry makers can create entire matching sets in metal clay, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Using consistent textures, shapes or motifs throughout a coordinated set takes planning and skill. Each piece must be perfectly sized and shaped to fit together seamlessly.
Decorative Bowls
Metal clay artists can shape beautifully decorative bowls, dishes, and vessels. These pieces may feature etched designs, applied embellishments, or molded textures. The finished bowls will be food-safe and functional after firing.
With dedication and practice, metal clay artists can create these and many other advanced works of art. The possibilities are endless with this remarkable material.
Tips for Success
Metal clay is a unique material that requires some special care and techniques to work with successfully. Here are some tips for avoiding common issues:
Storing Unused Clay
Always store unused metal clay in an airtight container or bag. Exposure to air can cause the clay to dry out. For long term storage, you may want to place the clay in the refrigerator inside an airtight container. Allow refrigerated clay to come back to room temperature before using.
Avoiding Cracks and Breaks
Cracks and breaks can occur if the clay is allowed to become too dry while working with it. To prevent this, keep a damp paper towel over unused clay as you work. Cracks can also happen if the clay is stressed while drying. Let pieces dry slowly at room temperature.
Troubleshooting Firing Issues
Proper firing is critical for metal clay. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for ramp speeds and target temperatures. Use kilns dedicated for metal clay firing only. Sudden temperature changes during firing can cause cracks or explosions. Place pieces on a kiln post or fireproof surface rather than directly on the kiln floor.
Future of Metal Clay
Metal clay is gaining popularity among jewelers, artisans, and crafters as an accessible and versatile material. While traditional metalworking requires expensive tools and equipment, metal clay allows anyone to work with fine silver and other precious metals right at home. As more people discover metal clay, the market is expanding with exciting innovations.
Manufacturers are developing new binders, formulas, and particle sizes to improve the flexibility, strength, and workability of metal clays. Expect to see metal clays optimized for different applications like jewelry, sculpture, or 3D printing. There are also advances in specialty tools like sculpting and texturing implements as well as kilns designed specifically for metal clay firing.
Artists are blending metal clay with other mediums for mixed media art. Metal clay can be combined with wood, glass, beads, polymer clay, and more to create one-of-a-kind jewelry and objects. Technical innovations coupled with creative vision will lead metal clay in new directions. The future looks bright for this relatively new artistic material.