6 Methods To Texture Metal Clay For Jewelry Making

One of the coolest things about metal clay (Pmc and ACS or Art Clay Silver) is that you can add texture simply to your creations. Before Metal Clay came along, the only possible way you might texture metal as a jewellery maker was to etch with chemicals, stamp with metal stamps, or employ an expensive rolling mill.

Metal Clay on the other hand is pretty much like clay that potters use, so that you can create distinctive details, complicated designs, and shape and texture the metal while soft. Try doing that with metal sheet!

Be certain to keep in mind before beginning though that metal clay tends to be sticky and you want to apply a release agent to anything it touches. I love to utilise an extremely thin coating of olive oil on my hands, work-area, and tools. Don't skip this! You'll be awfully sorry and have a mess to wash up. Be certain not to use too much oil though because this can also mean an enormous mess.

Here are some straightforward ways to add texture to precious metal clay while wet.

1. Rubberized Stamps

Rubber Stamps are generally widely available and come in a bewildering selection of kinds nowadays. Art supply retailers, scrapbooking retailers, and also specialised rubber stamp providers abound.

2. Rubber and Silicone Texture Mats

Texture mats are available in truly amazing patterns, and since these types of mats are bendable, it is possible to press them around curved shapes.

3. Plastic Texture plates / Rubbing Plates

These are quite low-cost, and typically come with textures embossed on either side of the sheet. Just press the clay onto the sheet or vice versa.

4. Push Molds

There are some lovely polymer clay push molds available, but as the majority are not flexible, you'll have issues getting your metal clay out of them. Be certain to make use of some olive oil or a product like Cool Slip to help the metal clay not stick to the mold. Allowing the metal clay to dry and reduce in size a tad will certainly help liberate determined clay.

You'll be able to find flexible type push molds in candy and cake decorating supply merchants that are wonderful texture tools too.

5. Found Items

Found materials are the last word in cheap texturing gear! Loose change, leaves, bark, driftwood, textiles, and textured wallpapers pieces will all work. Do not forget to use some olive oil or other release agent. Use your creativity and you'll find lots of other textured objects you may use.

Toothpicks may also be employed to make dots, and scrape lines into the clay. If you'll be able to find typewriter keys these may be employed to press letters and words into your clay. If you can't find old typewriter keys, cheap metal letter stamps are available.

6. Make Your Own Texturing Gear

I like to make my own texturing equipment from polymer clay. To make your own, just do what I do, and form scrap polymer clay into a1 with a handle shaped bit that pokes from the back. Make a pattern on the lumpy part. This will be the part you press into the clay. I have made ones with crosshatch designs, flowers, polka dots, and little leaves. When you create a tool, just cure your new texturing tool according to the polymer clay guidelines.

There are a lot of other methods to make your own texturing tools also. Be sure to take a look at my other articles for more recommendations.

As you can see, precious metal clay offers infinite possibilities for making textured jewelry, charms, pendants, beads, and findings. What are you making today?

By: Christine Gierer

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Looking for metal clay, clay tools, and texture plates? Check out my metal clay resource pages at shop.how-to-make-jewelry.com/metal-clay-supplies/. On these webpages you will find metal clay supplies and product links for a range of suppliers and stockists worldwide.