The Joy of Metal Clay - Bronze Patina, an experiment in ammonia fuming

It is Halloween so let's mix up a potion for our metal clay!

Last week, I talked about firing FastFire BronzClay. This week I am going to take the bracelet from that experiment and discuss using a technique called ammonia fuming to patina it.

About a year ago I was inspired by a piece and directions I found from the Squidoo Lens on BronzClay by Margaret Schindel. It is an extensive discussion about the original BronzClay (which is different than the FastFire BronzClay that I was discussing over that last two weeks). This site contains lots of useful ideas and tips (Squidoo Lens on BronzClay). If you scroll through the copious information you will find a section on finishing your bronze and more specifically there is a beautiful photograph of a turquoise coloured piece by Celie Fago and a short description on using ammonia to fume your bronze clay pieces. It was from this that I got inspired.

Here is the piece I made last summer:

BEFORE I start, remember to consider safety. Ammonia is an harsh chemical; read the label and take precautions. Consider using a respirator as the fumes are HARSH and dangerous. The label on my ammonia container states: "MAY IRRITATE EYES AND SKIN. DO NOT MIX WITH BLEACH. DO NOT GET IN EYES OR ON SKIN OR CLOTHING. DO NOT BREATHE IN FUMES..."

Here is what I did:

First I poured household ammonia (found at the grocery store) into a glass jar.

Then I took some wire and shaped it so that I could suspend the pieces in the jar so that they were not touching the ammonia and I hung the wire over the edges of the jar. I then covered the jar with a plastic wrap and left the container to sit. The article recommends allowing it to sit for 24 hours to 10 days).

Here is a photograph after 12 hours.

Here are the pieces after 36 hours.

And here is the original as a reference:

The pieces haven't achieved the colour I was hoping for so I have put them back in the jar for this week and will add a picture next week. Notice that the colour is not even, I am not sure whether this will correct over time, I guess we will have to wait and see.

Happy Halloween!

Remember to keep safety in mind when you are mixing up your potions.

Joy of Metal Clay: Fast Fire BronzClay - Part 2

Success!!!

Last week I began discussing the new Fast Fire BronzClay (check out last weeks post). I managed to successfully fire my first two batches of Fast Fire BronzClay test pieces. I am excited because the base metal clays can be finicky in their ability to sinter properly. I am hoping that there will be better consistency with this Bronze.?!?

Above, is a photograph of some of the fired bronze pieces next to unfired pieces. It gives a visual of the shrinkage. (I forgot to measure to difference between the pieces in order to determine actual shrinkage).

Directions for firing Fast Fire BronzClay can be found on the BronzClay website (Firing Fast Fire BronzClay).

I fired these bronze pieces in my Paragon FireFly top loading brick kiln. They were placed in a steel pan with activated carbon. I placed a one inch layer of carbon down, then my pieces ensuring there was approximately 1/2 inch space between each piece, then I laid down another 1/2 inch layer of carbon, then a few more pieces, finally I added a top 1/2 inch layer of carbon. The lid was place on top of the pan but it was off centered to allow air to escape. I ramped the kiln full speed to 1525 F then held the pieces at this temperature for 2 hours. Of note: the directions from the manufacturer do not give you an exact firing temperature. They recommend that you test fire pieces at 1525F and then adjust your temperature depending on the results from your kiln (blistering = temperature too high, unsintered clay = temperature not high enough).

Of all the pieces that I fired at 1525 F, I only had only one problem with one piece. Apparently if the firing temperature is too high you will get bubbling or blistering on your pieces. I found this with only one of the 20 plus pieces that I fired. Here is a picture below. The piece on the left has numerous bubbles whereas the piece on the right is completely smooth. It is odd that this only happened on one of the pieces....the only other reason this could happen is if your piece is not completely dry upon firing. I cannot explain this any further....it is what it is.

The final photo below is of the piece with a garnet coloured cz. It turned out fine but if you look closely you can see that there is bronze on the surface of the cz. Apparently I did not clean the surface of the cz...now the bronze is permanently attached to the cz. This is what happens if you don't clean your cz's before firing. To clean them I usually wait until the clay is dry and I will scratch off the clay with a toothpick, then I take cotton swab with rubbing alcohol on it to clean off the rest of the stone. (I guess I skipped this step in my excitement to get things fired!)

About durability of these bronze pieces, they withstood all the banging and bashing I tried!!! I have been unable to break any of the pieces that I have made.

One comment that I have heard it that if you overload your pan when firing or if you do not allow enough space between the pieces then you will run into problems in your firing.

I will keep you up to date about my tests. Next week I hope to post on a patina for Bronze!!!

Stay tuned.

The Joy of Metal Clay: Base Metal Clays

This past week I was fortunate enough to play around with some of Hadar's base metal clays. The last time I had used Hadar's clay she only had Copper and Bronze clay, now when I look at her site I feel like a kind in a candy store.

This week I experiemented with combining some pearl grey steel with copper clay (THANKS Liz). Sadly, I have not fired them as they got damaged in transit and I haven't had time to repair them. (I may just fire them as is as I can't wait to see what they look like!).

All this to say I thought I would introduce you to the world of base metal clays. There are many companies developing and selling base metal clays. Unlike silver clay where there are similarities between brands, base metal clays vary significantly on firing and handling.

Generally, most base metal clays require the use of a kiln to fire (there are a few exceptions). In addition most of the base metal clays require that you fire them in an oxygen free enviroment. This is primarily acheived by using a heatproof container filled with carbon.

I know all this can be confusing so let me start by introducing you to the main types of base metal clays. Then in the weeks to come I will comment on specifics.

Here are some of the brands of base metal clay:


Hadar Jacobson (her site is http://www.artinsilver.com/)

In my opinion she has been on e of the pioneers in the whole base metal clay business. Her current types of clays available are:

• Copper (both quick fire and original)
• Bronze (both quick fire and original)
• Quick Fire White Bronze
• Quick Fire Steel
• Pearl Grey Steel

All of her clays come dry and require that the purchaser mix their own clay by adding distilled water and they all require kiln firing in carbon.

Ms. Jacobson's website is a wealth of information about mixing and creating with her clays. It is a FABULOUS resource no matter what type of metal clay you choose to use. She also has a series of fabulous books.


Metal Adventures (formerly Metal Clay Adventures)

This is another North American source of base metal clays. The types of metal clays they create are:

• BRONZclay (http://www.bronzclay.com/bronzclay_education.htm)
  
• COPPRclay (http://www.copprclay.com/)
  
• Fast Fire BRONZclay (just released - Fast Fire BRONZclay information)
  

These clays come already mixed and require kiln firing in carbon. There is a great source of information about BRONZclay by M. Schindlel published on Squidoo BronzClay it is a great resource and it appears she is working on one for the Copprclay too.


Art Clay

Art Clay, the makers of Art Clay Silver released in December 2009 their version of copper clay. It is called Art Clay Copper and is different than the other types of copper. This clay can be torch fired (but it takes over 5 minutes) and can be kiln fired without any carbon or medium to facilitate sintering. I have worked quite a bit with this copper and will post a detailed post about it in the weeks to come. (Art Clay Copper Information)


Prometheus (http://hobbymaxistore.com/)

This company is from Turkey and make the only bronze clay that I am aware of that does not require the use of a activated carbon for firing. Instead you are to wrap it in paper towel then in a fiber blanket. They now have two types of clay available:

• Prometheus Bronze
• Prometheus Copper
  

On their website there is a forum discussing firing experiments.

I have some of this clay, but have not finished my experiments with it. I have tried torch firing it and was successful. The piece is much rosier that the other bronzes I have used.


Make Your Own!!!

Apparently you could make your own. There are tutorials on the web on how to do this. Metal Clay Academy has a whole page of links on how to do this - Make your own MC. I doubt I will ever get around to trying this. If you have let us know what you think.


Base metal clays can all be unique. In the next few weeks I hope to elaborate on the base clays I have tried.

What's up in Metal Clay

PMC CONFERENCE 2010
Well as I write this the PMC conference in Layfayette Indianna, at Purdue University is wraping up. I am so sad to have missed it but there will be another one in two years (carpool from Toronto anyone, in 2012?).

For any of you who have attended, tell us what you learned and what you loved. Please share.

In my search on what I might be missing I discovered there is access to some of the handouts from previous conferences on the PMC Guild Website. It is not substitute for attending but it may inspire you.



FAST FIRE BRONZCLAY Just Released!
On another news front there is a new version of BronzClay!!!
Metal Adventures has just released a new version of Bronzclay called Fast Fire BronzClay!!!

I have yet to try it but I am looking forward to experimenting with it as soon as I can get my hands on some. As soon as I heard, I let the ever so awesome BeadFX Buyer know and it sounds like she is ordering some soon!!!! (actually maybe it is already ordered...fingers crossed!)

Qualities about this FastFire BronzClay are:

• fires in two hours
• easier to make joins
• richer yellow colour
• less cracking
• shrinkage of 10%
• easier to file and drill after firing

In comparison to the Metal Adventures "original" BronzClay which takes approximately nine hours to fire and is tricky to join and very hard if fired correctly. (sadly not everyone has had success with firing the original version). NOTE: both these versions of BronzClay require kiln firing in activated carbon.

I cannot comment on whether this new Fast Fire BronzClay is more successul to fire but the reviews I have read so far are favourable. Stay tuned and I will let you know what I think.


Other Base Metal Clay Resource
If you have interest in base metal clays (which are less expensive but can be trickier in their firing and sometimes handling). Check out Hadar Jacobson, who is a pioneer in the metallurgy of base metal clay and has created her own bronze, copper and even steel clays. Check out her Blog!