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Photopolymer Plates for Enamelling Textures
Pam East uses Photo-polymer
plates extensively both for making
custom textures and images, and for champleve enameling. She's learned a
lot about photo-polymer from Maggie Bergman, Tonya Davidson and many others. She's also
developed a few tricks of her own along the way. Here are a few tips
that may help.... |
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What is PMC?
Precious Metal Clay (PMC) consists of microscopic particles of silver or gold suspended in an organic binder to create a pliable material with a consistency similar to modeling clay. PMC can be worked in the fingers and with simple tools to create a vast range of forms and surfaces unobtainable or laborious with traditional metalwork techniques.
When it is heated to a high temperature, the binder burns away and the metal particles fuse to form solid metal that can be sanded, soldered, colored and polished like conventional material.
From the Mitsubishi Materials website... |
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What are the problems associated with quenching hot metal clay?
If you want to refire, enamel or solder on a piece of metal clay that has been quenched, you may find that moisture has got trapped in the metal. When you heat it again, especially if you heat it fast, the moisture turns to steam and may cause a blister on the surface. You need to dry the piece thoroughly if you have quenched the metal following the initial firing.It is also important to remember that you should not quench a piece which has glass or stones as part of the design. The sudden change in temperature from the firing to the cold water may cause shock and the stone or glass could be damaged or break entirely. Leave your piece to air cool, it should only take a few minutes.... |
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What is slip?
Slip is a watered down version of metal clay. You can buy slip or paste directly from the suppliers or make your own by adding water to a small lump of clay, filings or dried out clay. Slip can be used to attach two pieces of metal clay together, fill in small cracks or painted onto leaves, flowers, pods etc to make unique designs.... |
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Why is newly fired silver metal clay white?
This is the surface of the silver before burnishing. If you could look at it under a microscope you'd see lots of peaks and valleys. This uneven surface doesn't allow the light to reflect so it appears dull white. ... |
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