Grrr I opened a new packet of pmc a couple of days ago and used it then and it was fine. I wrapped it up in cling film as you should and now 2 days later I can't do anything with it. It's a really strange texture and just keeps breaking off in little bits making it impossible to work with

Does anyone have any ideas?

Sounds like it's dried out a little Ele. Get out the cling film, dip your finger in some water, and rub it all over the lump of clay. Then, wrap it up again. Give it some time to absorb the water totally. Once it has, squish it together a little, but don't over-work it. Only do this when you're going to use it - ie - don't moisten it, then leave it again.

Don't panic - it'll be fine.

Thanks for the tip. I tried this a few hours ago but it hasn't helped (maybe being impatient though).

This is what it looks like (beautiful picture!):

Don't panic hun. Dip your finger in some water, and spread it around the clay again. It may take a few goes before it is the right consistancy. Don't forget to wrap it up again between being dampened. I've had clay that dried for a project, didn't like it, and re-hydrated it. The clay wasn't perfect, and will never be like it was straight from the pack, but it will be useable again. But you're right - you can't be impatient. It will take a little time. I once put too much water on the clay, and it took three days to come right - serves me right for being impatient.

When you reseal up clay, after wrapping in cling film add a wad of kitchen paper that has been dipped in water to the zip bag to keep thing moist.

Jenny

Thanks for the tip Jenny.

I haven't tried using my pmc again since I posted this!

It upsets me so much when it doesn't work!!

I haven't been able to get it to a good consistency again. It still just breaks apart which makes it pretty impossible to use!! Grrr

I've just had a go at PMC for the first time and experienced exactly the same thing, that picture could have been mine! I knew I'd seen a thread about it and hoped you had finally succeeded so I could do what you did. I have 2 pathetic looking pendants drying but don't hold out any hope for them, they look like the skin on my hands, all cracked and wrinkly

When you have dried them before firing if you have a water brush, brush the dry clay over very lightly with the water brush and then dry again, you may need to do these a couple of time and then sand well before firing, it is surprising what you can remove with sanding.

I have used both PMC 3 and Art Silver Clay 650 (both normal and slow dry) and I have say that I prefer Art Silver Clay 650 slow dry it gives you more working time than the normal 650.

Jenny

I ended up giving up with pmc. I don't really have the funds at the mo to keep experimenting with it (fimo is much cheaper and less risky £ wise! hee hee).

THe first time I used that batch of pmc I had no probs it was just the times after that I had issues. The texture of the pmc was never the same again. It was totally un-workable and the one piece I did manage to make with it didn't dry out properly despite leaving it for days in a non humid environment (it still bubbled when I fired it).

I think if I decide I do want to do it again then I just need to bite the bullet and have a lesson from someone who knows what they are doing rather than trying to pretend I do! Hee hee.

Oh, don't give up - that is pure silver you having lying there!

When I have dry clay, I roll out into the flattest pancake you can imagine - superthin. Then I spread a large drop of water in the MIDDLE of the pancake, and wrap the clay up around the water. Ensure the water doesn't seep out, keep the outside more or less dry. Wrap up in double or triple layers of clingfilm (UK clingfilm is not very good quality!), and massage gently, just enough to squeeze the water into the clay. Check that the clingfilm has't broken and is still sealed, then cover with a wet kitchen tissue, and put back into the grip seal bag it came in.

Rest. You and the clay. Then look at it in a few hours, or tomorrow, and repeat the process if needed. This time, squeeze a little more in the cling film to ensure the water is smoothed into the clay.

What you want to do is get the water INSIDE the clay, rather than on the outside. Outside wet = lots of lost metal clay ending up smudged all over your fingers and the cling film.

Sometimes, if I'm in a rush, I "roll" the water into the pancake. So roll out flat, add LITTLE water, fold up and squeeze quickly using finger tips, roll out again, and repeat the process. The trick here is to add small amounts quickly.

You can do it!

Whilst we're on the topic - never let the clay dry out when you work with it. By spritzing or brushing on water and covering the clay with a little tent of clingfilm you can keep it moist for ages - as soon as you see it looking a little dry, mist or brush on water. If you see cracks smooth them out with water on your finger. This way you can extend the worktime immensly! The "tent-technique" is a great way to allow you stop for a breather, top up of coffe, or just to have a scream if you need to!

Petra

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Thanks for the message Petra. I have actually tried exactly what you have suggested and the clay was still a terrible consistency.

and even when I did manage to make some half decent (having left it to dry for days) it bubbled having been fired. And I definately did not over fire it.

I think I just need some lessons but no time or money at the moment!

Hm, sounds strange. Which clay exactly is it you're using? Have you mixed anything else with it, like olive oil, slik, cool slip, badger balm, glycerine?

Sounds like possibly a case of getting too much oil or similar in the mix, which wouldn't evaporate and therefore might cause bubbling.

No metal clay on its own should bubble after drying for days.

Very strange. If you were nearer I'd ask you to bring it in and I'd have a look at it for you!

yup I thought maybe I had too much badger balm on it...

I've tried leaching it out but that didn't work!

I think I just need a new lot of it!

I wish I was closer! I like Corfe! Unfortunately Norfolk is a little far! Hee hee

thanks for your help.