One of the neatest things regarding using precious 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 jewelry maker was to etch with chemicals, stamp with metal stamps, or employ a pricey rolling mill. Metal Clay on the other hand is pretty a lot like potter’s clay or plasticine, so that you can create exceptional details, complicated patterns, and mold and add texture to the material while soft. Try doing that with metal sheet!
These are some simple ways to add texture to precious metal clay while wet.
Be certain to remember before starting though that precious metal clay is sticky and you need to apply a release agent to whatever it touches. I love to employ a very thin coating of olive oil on my hands, work-area, and tools. Don’t skip over this! You will be awfully sorry and have a mess to scrub up. Be certain not to use too much oil though because this will also mean a massive mess.
1. Plastic Texture Plates / Rubbing Plates
These are pretty cheap, and typically come with textures stamped on each side of the sheet. Just press the clay onto the sheet or vice versa
2. Repurposed Items
Found objects are the final word in inexpensive texturing gear! Coins, leaves, bark, driftwood, textiles, and textured wallpapers pieces will all do the job. Remember Mica Powder nz to apply some olive oil or other release agent. Use your imagination and you’ll find lots of alternative textured objects you can use. Skewers or toothpicks can also be used to make dots, and scrape lines into the clay. If it is possible to find typewriter keys these can be employed to press letters and words into your clay. If you can’t find old typewriter keys, inexpensive metal letter stamps are available.
3. Rubber and Silicone Texture Mats
Texture mats are available in truly amazing patterns, and since these sorts of mats are bendable, it is possible to press them around curved shapes.
4. Push Molds
There are some beautiful polymer clay push molds available, but as the majority are not flexible, you’ll have issues getting your precious metal clay out of them. Be sure to make use of some olive oil or a product like Cool Slip to help the metal clay not stick to the mold. Letting the precious metal clay to dehydrate and shrink a touch will help liberate stubborn clay. You will find flexible push molds in candy and cake decorating supply outlets that work a treat too.
5. Rubber Stamps
Rubber Stamps come in a bewildering selection of kinds these days. Art supply outlets, scrapbooking shops, and even specialised rubber stamp suppliers are all around.
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