Starting with Precious Metal Clay

[Di Sandland]

Well, guys, I've had a result! Its my birthday on Saturday and my OH has offered to by me the stuff I need to begin with PMC. ~Questions:

1. Is it better to buy a kit or to get individual items
2. If its better to buy individual items, what MUST I have to start
3. Suggested suppliers - I know there's Cooksons of course

Thanks in advance

love
Di x

[bustagasket]

Well, guys, I've had a result! Its my birthday on Saturday and my OH has offered to by me the stuff I need to begin with PMC. ~Questions:

1. Is it better to buy a kit or to get individual items
2. If its better to buy individual items, what MUST I have to start
3. Suggested suppliers - I know there's Cooksons of course

Thanks in advance

love
Di x

Dang that hubby of yours!!!!! Can he pretend to be mine so i can start too please? lol sorry.

I have nothing sensible to say so i will leave it to the experienced ones, but i will be watching your dip into the world of PMC with bated breath

[Di Sandland]

but i will be watching your dip into the world of PMC with bated breath

No pressure then!

Actually, this was a rather nifty piece of work on my behalf. Somebody sent me quite a bit of money for my birthday and I spent half of it on a new digital SLR camera for my old man (he's been lusting after one for ages - we sold all our old SLRs some years ago). So he sort of 'owes' me

[bustagasket]

oooo good plan!!!!!

*runs away to work on a plot for herself *

[MuranoSilver]

Here you go I wrote a thread about suggested PMC tools here
There's also loads of info, reviews & tips on my PMC blog (link in signature)
nic xx

[Ominicci]

Lucky you Di! Good luck with it all.

[Lindyloo]

I wouldn't bother with the kits sold for PMC. You probably own half the stuff already (burnisher, torch, soldering block, brass brush etc). Look at Nic's list and go from there. Most of the stuff you need is household stuff.

I bought white plumbing piping for a rolling pin (saw it into sections) as it has no annoying seam like some extruded plastic rolling pins. You can use those plastic document sleeves as a rolling surface. Playing cards for spacers, and don't forget to get some badger balm from your chemist to rub on your fingers and your work surface to stop the pmc sticking to everything. You can use a film cannister to collect your filings to make a slip by adding water (it makes a glue to join your pieces), and use an old spray bottle to rewet your pmc when it gets too dry. Voila! Instant kit. All you need now is the pmc.

If you spend your money on anything, spend it on the clay. You don't even need any preprepared moulds. Get some of that silicone 2 part moulding stuff that you mix up and make your own moulds from. They sell it at art shops.

Of course if hubby is being really generous, then go for the kiln and the barrel polisher for finishing (which helps harden it).

Hope that helps

Linda

[Di Sandland]

Thanks Linda - will let you all know how I get on

[Solunar Silver Studio]

I love my siligum - the modelling material Linda was talking about. I've gone through pots of the stuff! It is expensive though...or I think it is anyway!...so I am constantly looking for the cheapest supplier as they keep upping their prices!! The cheapest I have found for the 300g pack recently is at http://www.craftcellar.co.uk/index1.html and their postage is reasonable...and buy 3 packs and you get it postage free!!
Barbara

[MuranoSilver]

The 300g pack is cheaper at Cooksons
Craft Cellar £19.85 Cooksons £19.52 Product Code: 700 520
If you wait until a free post over £50 over the postage would be free with Cooksons too
(Not that I do...she says looking at her shopping basket, they've just got my favourite cufflink mechanisms back in!)

Nic x