Not that I think Pro will replace my other silver clays, but for some applications it's going to be great. Again, not a fan of the carbon, but for making tough rings or delicate parts, I can get around that...
This ring is only 3 cards thick - and with the shrinkage rate being greater than PMC3, the resulting ring is even thinner than you'd expect. C'mon, who would make a PMC ring only 3 cards thick? Not me - till now. I tried to squeeze and crush it and... nothing.
Since that went so well, I made another one like it with some really skinny snakes around the edges (they worked beautifully) - also 3 cards thick and it won't crush either. I've asked students to try to squeeze the rings and they were impressed with the strength too. All the rings were fired in carbon for 1 hour. They were constucted @ 3.5-4 sizes larger. I didn't put any ring plugs in them. I figured if they got too small I'd just stretch them. I did end up stretching the wider band, but that worked just fine.
Since that went so well, I made another one like it with some really skinny snakes around the edges (they worked beautifully) - also 3 cards thick and it won't crush either. I've asked students to try to squeeze the rings and they were impressed with the strength too. All the rings were fired in carbon for 1 hour. They were constucted @ 3.5-4 sizes larger. I didn't put any ring plugs in them. I figured if they got too small I'd just stretch them. I did end up stretching the wider band, but that worked just fine.
And I wondered about making hollow forms - how small and thin could I make them? These tiny lentils (yep, that's a dime) are for earrings. They are only 2 cards thick. They could have been domed more, but I got caught up in the excitement of making them and didn't look for a better dome...
The answer is (after a couple of tries) great! The best result so far is with my favorite wax (Mayco wax resist - on the heart shown here).
I did try my new kistka on this clay because it has worked well on PMC+, but with Pro I had some blistering issues. I shelf fired the all the water etched pieces prior to carbon firing to burn off the wax.
after carbon firing |
after shelf firing |
My tests were mostly designed for learning about the strength of this new version of PMC. The shrinkage rate is shown at left with the fired piece and the cutter used to make it. The clay is good and sticky with long working time, though snakes were still subject to cracking if you weren't careful. It made the smoothest slip - letting it rest after mixing is important.
The bails on the water etched pendants are only 2 cards thick and very strong! This two-card bail can't be crushed (with my hands), nor did it snap when I put some pressure on the joint - which was not reinforced from the back.
So I'm impressed. I can see using it for ring bands and more delicate bails and findings. I have many more tests in mind, but so far, so good. I'd love to hear what others think if they've tried it.
The bails on the water etched pendants are only 2 cards thick and very strong! This two-card bail can't be crushed (with my hands), nor did it snap when I put some pressure on the joint - which was not reinforced from the back.
So I'm impressed. I can see using it for ring bands and more delicate bails and findings. I have many more tests in mind, but so far, so good. I'd love to hear what others think if they've tried it.
This all sounds great! Thanks for sharing your experiment results.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I have my 15g pack and need to break it out! maybe tomorrow. Thanks for "poking" me into action.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all your tests.
ReplyDeleteIt was very interesting. I am still a little hesitant, but I love reading your experiences with the new clay.
Thanks for sharing your experiences -- I have some to try, but I've hesitated to pull it out yet, despite some projects that would really benefit from it. Perhaps I'll get to it soon with your encouragement.
ReplyDeleteThanks! What a great article, I'm one of those non carbon lovers too and am a bit hesitant to try the pro, but you may have convinced me!
ReplyDeleteGreat information! I'd love to add a link to it from our website. (Now if only I knew how to do that code!) But instead of learning that code--I just want to open up a pack of clay and make a ring!!
ReplyDeleteWow. I love that. It's very rugged and industrial looking. I'm a guy, so no jewelry has ever really interested me, but this kinda thing is really cool.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I found your site. I can see alternatives to accessorizing myself with stuff that commercialized retail chains aren't trying to cram down my throat.