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Can some one help ?
I've attended a jewellery course for six or so months and am beginning to grasp the basics. I now feel adventurous, and I love the idea of Clay - it looks so easy. Can some one explain the differences between Art Clay & PMC ? My tutor said that PMC was easier to work with, is this true
Any thoughts ?
For workability I prefer PMC, but the price of Art Clay is a little more attractive.
I also like the range that comes with Art Clay - the gold, oil paste etc. The slow dry clay - is good for first time users.
Hey,
There's a couple of PMC and Art Clay blog posts which might help available from the cooksongold blog. I've attached the links below for your reference. Lots of comments too from people in a similar situation.
Hope these are of help! :)
http://www.cooksongold.com/blog/jewe...y-and-art-clay
http://www.cooksongold.com/blog/jewe...lay-silver-650
I bought some Art Clay because of the price and ended up wasting a lot of it because I didn't know how to get the best out of it. Once I'd been on a course it all fell into place! (Un)fortunately the course was for PMC, not Art Clay, so now I use that instead because that's what I was taught to use...
Basically, try to get on a course so you don't end up wasting it, like I did!!
hey, which course did you attend?
I prefer pmc anyway - maybe its because I don't like change. I first attempt using silver clay was awful - i'm still not up to much but i'm trying.
Where do you guys purchase you pmc?
I went on a course run by Leigh @ Magick Minx. You'll find her course schedule here: magickminxproductions.com/page22.htm
I bought my last lot of PMC from Leigh, but have shopped around most times.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lindsay
I do courses in Market Deeping nr Peterborough, it's best not to get too hung up on the PMC vs silver clay debate. Everyone has their favourite but once fired it's all fine silver ;)
My students use Art Clay Slow Dry because it gives them a bit more working time but if you learn how to condidion the clay (keep it at the right moisture level by re-hydrating it) then all the brands are fine.
PMC (precious metal clay) is a little smoother out of the packet & ACS (art clay silver) is cheaper. It's best not to mix brands though, e.g in slip pots etc and from what I understand the binders they use are different. (the binder being the stuff that burns away in firing & holds all those tiny particles of silver together)
Nicola x
i like silver clay though it feels oddly like cheating sometimes =)
i too have a bit of a problem with wastage, especially with it drying out completely even when bagged, not quite sure what to do about that.
Whatever you're not immediately using you need to moisten it,
wrap in clingfilm & put in your zip lock packet with a bit of wet
lint free cloth. It'll help keep it hydrated.
Here are a few other suggestions too
http://pmctips.blogspot.com/2009/02/...lver-clay.html
Nicola x
I use ACS, unless I want something to shrink alot when I use original PMC, and I prefer the PMC sheet.
E
I did a course back in Jan of this year & used PMC 1st time I'd used it not bad. Dont know anything about Art Clay but it was used @ the course I went to. Very interesting results. Love the versatility.
Can anyone tell me if storing a syringe of PMC in a jar of water will do any harm to the PMC?:~:
Nope that's fine to store syringe pmc in water :Y:
Than you very much for this helpful thread. I was gona ask if pmc was compatible with artclay slowdry as what I have is artclay. I also have a syringe of artclay, Will that work as slip? so I don't have to buy a tub of that too?
Probably best not to mix the brands (PMC & ACS) as the binders are different.
Yep syringe will work as slip, though you might need to add a bit of water :)
Another way of making slip is to get an old film canister, , or other small airtight container and make your own.
Making Slip:
Save All your filings and scrapings from dried clay work.
Add water to make a thick creamy consitency. Voila!! your own slip pot :D
As you then add more "dust" pop in a couple of drops of water.
** Try to avoid using dust from sand papers as they are normally contaminated by sanding grit (unless you like lumpy slip,lol).
The material type sanding papers dont seem to do this, so they help keep your slip nice and smooooth!
nic x
I find PMC easier. Art Clay is harder and less easy to shape - for me. Other people love Art Clay and find PMC to sticky. I like PMC's softness. :)
One Art Clay item I don't understand is their paper. I ordered some to test it and it's covered in something silvery that you can't remove. Is it supposed to be like that? I find it hard to work with! How do you people use Art Clay paper?
By the way, I have used Art Clay gold paste on PMC silver (fired or unfired pieces) and it's been fine. You need to burnish a little to get the gold to stick sometimes but once you know how to do it it works well.