WOW They are brilliant Well done, I'm jealous

I bought some pmc ages ago but haven't tried playing with it yet because the silly little torch I got keeps going out

I've just bought a new one so will have a play, you have inspired me

[quote="Beading heart Liberal]
Can't understand why more people are not hooked!![/quote]

Those are gorgeous first pieces, you've done really well. It's wonderful to find another metal clay fan, I hope you'll do more now.

As for your question, well it comes down to money. It isn't a cheap craft/art to learn and there is quite a steep learning curve when you try to do more complicated designs, that can put people off.

If you do get hooked though it's fab, and the possibilities are almost endless, and best of all you can incorporate them into your jewellery.

Best of luck and I hope you stick with it.

Oh Fusion, where and when do you teach your classes? I would love to try out PMC but again its just getting started and expense etc.

I would thoroughly recommend a class - the first two pieces I tried at home (with a torch and using PMC starter kit I got for xmas) were an unmitigated disaster!
£75 seemed a lot of money (and to some I know it is an impossible amount of money) but the cost includes 20g of silver clay plus all the chains and findings needed to finish your piece - that makes it seem good value but when you consider that the precious metal clays are expensive I just know that I picked up so many hints and tips that I have saved myself a lot of grief - and waste! - in the future.

The only trouble is that there is an intermediate course ---- and the tutor also teaches a dichroic glass course and had some amazing pieces on display...............

The most important thing is that I have got my enthusiasm back

Sandra

Well done Sandra, those pieces are great, I'm glad that you got some confidence to go on and try at home!! Once you've got the basics sorted at least you can make some pieces that you like. There'll always be new techniques to learn - I'm still learning now!

Let's see more pieces over the coming months!!

Joanne1981 - I teach my classes in Knutsford, Cheshire. I run beginners classes, one-to-one sessions and more advanced classes. If you want some information, email me and I'll send you back some stuff!

Rebecca

Ooh, they're lovely! Well done!

So, I take it you're now bitten by the bug...? Don't worry, there are lots of us addicts around.

Petra

Thanks for recommending Hilary
My only problem now is that I have more ideas than time but I am really looking forward to doing more!

Sandra

I a hoping to get a kiln soon for glass fusing but I've no doubt that I'll be tempted in the direction of silver clay I'd really love to be able to texture metal more 'richly' than with stamps and I'm not about to start messing with nitric acid to etch silver AND someone pointed out to me a while ago that with silver clay you can use all those gorgeous stamps that the paper-art people use *yum*

Margi

I also had a kit for christmas and am plucking up the courage to fire what I made, today.
So - any hints and tips on succesful firing with a torch welcome.

I have looked on all the sites and I think the one thing that bothers me is how hot/fierce should the flame be on my torch and how/where should I position it for the best results?
So I don't either melt the stuff or spend all day doing it because I'm too far away.
The flame is adjustable, but theres nothing in the instructions to say roughly what the temperature is likely to be with each adjustment.

Your necklaces look lovely! Maybe we'll end up going to the same improvers day!
I got my pmc out and made something for the first time yesterday. I've just finished sanding etc and I'm about to fire a pendant and four pairs of earrings (I hope!). I've also just ordered more clay from Petra!
Britbird, if you have a look on Petra's site

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there are several helpsheets. They may give the info you're looking for.

I love the look of that little Ultralite Kiln on Petra's site.

Wow
That was really cool.
I've taken the plunge and fired my stuff.
Would definitely recommend it be done in the dark. It was great fun to watch it glowing.
Quite tricky to keep the colour constant though so only time will tell if I've done it correctly.

Quite tricky to keep the colour constant though so only time will tell if I've done it correctly.


Well don't keep us in suspense......

Sandra

Well all the pieces seem to be ok.
And I quite enjoyed polishing them.
I thought it'd take a while but each piece came up quite quickly.

What I will do next time though, is sand them more thoroughly before I fire them. They were quite small pieces so I wasn't sure how much handling they would take before snaping but I'll do a bigger piece next time and sand it more.
I sanded the edges but didn't do too much on the top or bottom.
The first pieces cut out are better, but the pieces from the re-rolled clay could be improved by more sanding.

Anyway, I've made them into a bracelet.
I'll try and get a pic up when I get a minute.

Edited: with picture (hopefully)



Not a great pic but gives you the idea.
I've got a long way to go before its of a standard good enough to sell but I enjoyed the process and I definitely will be having another go - maybe a textured pendant next time.