A couple of clay questions

[jille]

Firstly hello, I haven't been here for a while, life has been hectic. I'm looking forward to catching up again.

A couple of questions has anyone tried the new sterling silver clay, how does it fair? Who sells it?

I'm playing with copper clay this week and I want to make my own headpins, I want to add the copper wire before firing, will it be ok and withstand the firing process?

While I'm on the subject of clay I'm making some ceramic clay bits n pieces, I use nichrome wire but don't particularly like the look, is there another wire I could use that would withstand firing to 1200C
thanks

[Di Sandland]

Jill, excuse me if I'm being stoopid (it has been known!) but why would you want to use copper clay to make headpins when it's so easy - and I know well within your capabilities - to ball up the end of the wire? Am I missing something or misunderstanding what it is you want to do?

And for your other question - I have read of hiqh-temp resisting niobium wire being used in industry. Not sure if it would be suitable or even available for home use but it might be worth a google?


xx

[jille]

Hi Di, thanks for your reply, I'll have a look on the net for niobium wire.
I have made a tiny ammonite mould, and what I'd like to do is stick a wire in before firing so I don't have to make a hole in them. I'm going to do some shells as well. I'm having the next few weeks to play with stuff, I've really missed experimenting while I've been so busy

[Kwant]

I love the sound of niobium, so exotic. I rather thought the middlesex university site would have some but alas no. Firemountain gems seems to be the most accessible place to get the wire.

[jille]

I found this site but it's too expensive for my ceramic clay needs, I'll have to stick to nichrome
http://www.advent-rm.com/catalogue/l...d=33&formid=17

[Dennis]

Well Jille, I would try propelling pencil refills, possibly from Ryman, which come in 0.7mm and I think 0.9mm. They withstand heat and don't stick to metal. I have certainly use pieces for keeping hinge knuckles aligned when soldering. Dennis.

[Dennis]

I have made a tiny ammonite mould, and what I'd like to do is stick a wire in before firing so I don't have to make a hole in them.

Sorry, I took this to mean Jillie was making beads but then, having made drilled beads it would be easy to solder in the corresponding size of wire.

[Kwant]

ah hmmm yes you might be right Dennis

[jille]

Great tip Dennis thank you.
I think I have managed to confuse everyone by asking too many questions in one post.
Firstly I want to make a headpin by sticking a piece of wire into a copperclay ammonite, i wondered if copper wire would hold up to the firing.

Secondly I'm looking for a wire to insert into porcelain clay that will fire up to 1200C, i use nichrome wire but it doesn't look very nice