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Rockin' Jewelry => Metal Clay => Topic started by: Enchantra on January 08, 2017, 11:30:06 PM

Title: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Enchantra on January 08, 2017, 11:30:06 PM
A work in progress.
I have all the components created.  Just have to refine them, dry them, fire them in the kiln, clean them up and then assemble everything and take pictures...

I used Prometheus clay in copper, white bronze and bronze.  Stones are Cubic Zirconia and Dichroic Glass.
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: 55fossil on January 09, 2017, 07:57:39 AM
    Wowser....   Cannot wait to see that finished. That way I do not have to ask a dumb question about the second picture.
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Enchantra on January 09, 2017, 10:13:22 AM
    Wowser....   Cannot wait to see that finished. That way I do not have to ask a dumb question about the second picture.

 :LOLOL: :LOLOL:

Second picture contains the pieces for the earrings and a couple that are for the necklace.
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Sandsave on January 09, 2017, 03:53:33 PM
Nice post when finished, see how I did that! waited for the answer to the second pick. Lol
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: hummingbirdstones on January 09, 2017, 04:05:22 PM
There you go, again!  Another medal winner and another shopping spree in the future at FMG!   :WEEEE:
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: lithicbeads on January 09, 2017, 08:54:10 PM
Good luck and enjoy yourself Amanda.
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Enchantra on January 10, 2017, 07:57:06 AM
I started the preliminary kiln firings today.  Bronze clay is a two step firing process.  You place it in the kiln, fire it to around 1000F to burn off the clay binders.  Then you take the pieces after the kiln has cooled and embed them into activated carbon in a lidded container and fire again to about 1575-1600 for a couple hours to fuse the bronze particles together.   Allow the kiln to cool down to ambient air temperature and pull out the pieces and clean them.  A bit of an involved process - and I have a tiny kiln.  So I can only do about 4-5 pieces at each preliminary firing, and even less at a time on the second firing due to container size constraints.  My kiln is going to be pumping the next few days.
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Enchantra on January 11, 2017, 03:16:04 PM
The kiln gods are not working in my favor today.
I have several ruined pieces.  I have salvaged some and they will be usable, but the big gorgeous focal is toast.   :cry:
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: hummingbirdstones on January 11, 2017, 03:48:26 PM
I'm so sorry this happened to you, Amanda.  I know that focal was gorgeous, but you'll find something even more beautiful to replace it with.
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Enchantra on January 14, 2017, 10:20:02 PM
I won't be entering the contest.  Most of the pieces didn't fire up properly and I was left with a  crumbling mess.   :sad5:
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: hummingbirdstones on January 15, 2017, 07:47:07 AM
After all the work you had already put into it, that truly sucks.   :crybaby2:

I don't have a kiln so I'm don't know all the correct terminology, but are you sure your kiln's temperature is correct?  I would hate for this to happen to you again.
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Enchantra on January 15, 2017, 02:01:20 PM
After all the work you had already put into it, that truly sucks.   :crybaby2:

I don't have a kiln so I'm don't know all the correct terminology, but are you sure your kiln's temperature is correct?  I would hate for this to happen to you again.

I used a pyrometer to give me the temperature of the kiln.  I know the temperature was fine as the variance on the pyrometer is only a few degrees either direction.
Hubby gave me the OK to buy a new kiln with much better temperature control and computerized settings for metal clay firing, so I'm just waiting for Fire Mountain to have it back in stock as it is on backorder. 
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: hummingbirdstones on January 15, 2017, 04:23:06 PM
That's awesome!  You'll be able to really do some excellent stuff with that!   :WEEEE:
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Susan on January 15, 2017, 07:29:32 PM
Have you fired the Prometheus clay before? I've never used it, so I don't have any first hand experience,  but have seen several posts recently on a metal clay Facebook group about others having difficulties and frustrations getting it to fire correctly.
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Enchantra on January 15, 2017, 11:21:03 PM
Have you fired the Prometheus clay before? I've never used it, so I don't have any first hand experience,  but have seen several posts recently on a metal clay Facebook group about others having difficulties and frustrations getting it to fire correctly.

This was the first time I had used the white bronze.  I had done test pieces with the yellow bronze and copper and they had come out fine.  It appears a lot of folks have problems with the white bronze and I wasn't alone with my problems.  I've seen a lot of folks comment on FB about white bronze not sintering and being a waste.

If you decide to get some clay to use, skip the Prometheus.  I've heard good things about Hadar's clay, Aussie clay, and Goldie clay. 
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Susan on January 16, 2017, 07:19:07 PM
That's what I had read, trouble sintering and crumbling. So sorry this happened to you with so much beautiful work put into it.
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Enchantra on January 16, 2017, 10:54:18 PM
Thanks Susan.  Yeah it was a serious bummer.  However I am off to the QIA Pow Wow show in Quartzsite AZ tomorrow, and it's a lovely place filled with gemstones and beads and cabochons.  I cannot remain bummed for long!
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: Susan on January 17, 2017, 05:25:01 AM
Oh yay! What a great outlook! Have a wonderful time!
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: AveIArts on June 03, 2022, 05:49:33 PM
A work in progress.
I have all the components created.  Just have to refine them, dry them, fire them in the kiln, clean them up and then assemble everything and take pictures...

I used Prometheus clay in copper, white bronze and bronze.  Stones are Cubic Zirconia and Dichroic Glass.

I realize this is an old post, but I have to say, they are beautiful.
Title: Re: FMG 2017 Metals Entry
Post by: AveIArts on July 18, 2022, 07:17:36 PM
I won't be entering the contest.  Most of the pieces didn't fire up properly and I was left with a  crumbling mess.   :sad5:

You've made some nice pieces, Amanda!