Our top tools for Silver clay jewellery
One of the great things about making jewellery from metal clay is that you don’t need a lot of tools and equipment to get started. However, there are some great tools and innovations that can really help you create more professional jewellery. Our metal clay tutor Anna Campbell gives you her current favourites.
1. Clay stay
I love this! It’s part of the Aussie Metal Clay range and is a fantastic alternative to paste. Clay Stay can be used to bond two pieces of metal clay including
unfired to unfired clay
unfired to fired clay
fired to fired pieces
It dries clear and does not create a residue unlike the silver clay paste that I would usually use. I’ve used it very successfully with Art Clay Silver so you don’t just have to be using Aussie Clays for it to work.
Aussie Metal Clay have stockists in different countries. You can find your nearest here >
2. parallel strip cutters
These are a fantastic tool for cutting strips of clay. The parallel cutters are soldered together to form a strip and these are great for making ring bands or anything where you need to ensure an even width across the band. They come in 3.5mm, 5mm, 8mm and 11mm widths.
Photo by Metal Clay Ltd
3. mini jewellers files
A set of mini diamond files/needles files is a must. The difference between the beginner and the more advanced metal clay artist is the finishing. These files are excellent to use on dry clay before firing to get a really great finish and can also be used once the clay is fired.
(photo by Metal Clay Ltd)
4. Dockyard carving tools
The best time to carve your metal clay is when it is completely dry before firing. I love the dockyard carving tools for this, especially designed for small carving jobs.
Photo by CSACJ
I carved this ring using the dockyard carving tools.
5. adhesive sandpaper
3M do this fab adhesive sandpaper in different grits. I like to use it in two ways. You can tear off a piece and stick it to a flat surface to sand a dry piece perfectly flat. Alternatively, you can stick a piece of the sandpaper around a ring mandrel and use it to file a rounded piece of jewellery including the inside of a ring band.
Photo from Metal Clay Ltd
6. Pastemaker
This product is great for turning your clay dust back into a useable metal clay paste, you just need a few drops, a stir and leave for the paste maker to do it’s magic!
Photo by Metal Clay Ltd
7. Cool Slip
This is a fantastic spray to use if you have problems with your clay sticking to textures etc. I find it particularly useful when I’m using the deeper rubber textures.
8. PMC Aqua
This product was designed to help with the age old problem of clay drying out. My experiments with it have found that it is more effective than water for bringing drying clay back to life. I have also tested it on Art Clay and it works just as well in my experience. Well worth it.
Stockists for metal clay
UK
USA
Australia
You can find worldwide jewellery suppliers here >
If you can recommend a metal clay supplier in your country please do email us to let us know! contact@jewellersacademy.com
And if you want to learn more advanced techniques with metal clay our newest course is Stone-set hinged bangle.
Taught by metal clay artist Tracey Spurgin, this online course teaches you lots of fantastic techniques to create a stunning hinged cuff bracelet including:
Working with Sterling Silver Clay
Creating Hinges in Silver Clay
Connecting components with rivets
Bezel Setting non-fireable gemstones
Making a Bracelet Clasp
(Note: access to a kiln is required for firing this project)
Take a look at the course trailer to see what you will create:
Blog post by: Anna Campbell