The Bench team met up with Cookson's Precious Metal Clay (PMC) designers Ellen and Jane Kharade to fi nd out more about the material and get some expert tips on how to work with it.
Feats of clay P
recious Metal Clay, or PMC as it is often called, is an amazing material that allows jewellers
and silversmiths to do things that were previously impossible or simply too time consuming. In basic terms, fi ne silver particles are suspended in a binder with water to create a grey clay- like substance that once fi red leaves a residue of 99.9% fi ne silver which can be treated like any other pure silver.
Alchemy that really works. For centuries, the alchemists conducted a myriad of harebrained experiments in a vain attempt to create precious metals in the lab. So to them this stuff really would have seemed like magic!
PMC can be coiled, stamped, textured, rolled and pushed into moulds just like the conventional clay we use to make plates and teapots.
PMC is so easy to work, creating fabulous patterns and surface decorations on the spot. Just imagine trying to achieve that using traditional sheet metal or casting! Let’s see what PMC Designers Ellen and Jane think.
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Hi Ellen, Jane. We know you’re both big fans so what’s the best thing about PMC for you? EK - Well, what I personally like about it is that you can achieve amazing results at home using textured mats and moulds without the need for specialist tools, training or equipment. Basically it’s just so easy to work with and the end result is something truly unique and beautiful.
Go on, give us one or two of your best trade secrets. We promise not to tell! JK - Number one for me would be using found objects. Sure, you’ll have to buy a certain amount of equipment but you’ll be amazed at what you can do with old combs, brushes, feathers or shells for creating amazing textures and patterns in the clay.
And you’d wade straight in and experiment in this way with your precious PMC? EK - No. That really would be a waste. I’d do all my experimenting with bog standard polymer clay. JK - It works in exactly the same way and will give you a really good idea of what the fi nished piece will look like.
Great tip. Anything else? JK - Those tiny details that many people overlook really. If you’ve pushed the boat out on PMC it really
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isn’t worth spoiling it for a ha’porth of tar! So I always use sterling silver fi ndings to give my jewellery that really professional fi nishing touch.
OK. Let’s go right back to basics. What are the basic steps for working with PMC? EK - It’s all very simple really, that’s the beauty of it. Shape the clay, leave it to dry, then, when it’s plaster hard, fi nish and smooth the piece with fi les or sandpaper, fi re, polish that’s it! What you’re left with is pure fi ne silver that can be soldered, drilled or enamelled.
How do you fi re PMC? JK - With a kiln, a torch, or even a gas stove. Getting the temperature just right is critical as over-fi ring can cause the silver to melt. The fi ring burns out the binder, lets the water evaporate, and causes the silver particles to fuse together.
To read the full interview with Ellen and Jane, and learn more about working with PMC visit www.
cooksonmagazine.com
For our full collection of PMC & Art Clay products and materials visit
www.cooksongold.com
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Please note that all prices are intended to be used as a guide based on cash prices exclusive of VAT. Visit
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