Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum but I'm hoping someone may be able to give me some advice about firing art clay silver.

I've only just started working with it and I'm looking to do fingerprint/artwork jewellery. I'm practising with getting the technique and the look right before I offer any of my work for sale. I've not gone to the expense of a kiln yet, need to make sure I'm carrying on with the silver jewellery first, so I'm firing my pieces with a butane torch. All is going fine until I fire pieces....they aren't curling completely at the sides but ending up dipped in the middle so when I come to polish the piece it's making it very difficult as it's not flat. I'm very careful when preparing the pieces, sanding them down the get them even etc.

I'm wondering if firing the pieces in a kiln would solve the problem? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.