Lesson Plan - PMC Clay Jewelry - Metal Clay

Submitted by: Delphi Glass
Unit: Jewelry - Metals - Advanced Ceramics
Lesson: Precious Metal Clay - Silver Clay Charm Bracelet
See site for more ideas

Delphi - 3380 East Jolly Road - Lansing MI - 49810
Call Toll-Free: 888.281.5780 Copyright Delphi 2010

This lesson has graciously been given to Incredible Art Department by Delphi. It is here for you to "borrow" - revise to your needs. It can NOT be republished on any web site without permission of Delphi. Special Thanks to William Norton - Getty TeacherArtExchange list member for bringing this topic into the discussion.

Objectives:

Combine the magic of jewelry clay with the simplicity of stamping to create beautiful and unique jewelry. Simply roll out the clay, stamp the design or letters, finish shaping the jewelry and you’re ready to fire. Roll on texture sheets to give silver textured designs. Fire and students have a 99.9% pure silver charm bracelet that they created!

Students will 1) learn basic jewelry composition; 2) work with a unique new substance to create a piece of fine jewelry; 3) be introduced to stamping, firing and polishing silver working.

Introduce Students to the Jewelry of the Middle East (Ur) and Ancient Greece.

Grade Level: High School

Time Required: Three Sessions. They need an introduction - some background information. The more time you can spend preparing them - the less waste you will have. I wouldn't think of rushing this lesson in three class periods).

Materials for 12 Projects - Bracelet:

Qty Item Number Description

12        #69148            Silverplated Charm Bracelet
2          #69150            Silverplated Oval Jumprings
1          #68704            3/16” Pattern Cutter Set
1          #68301            Texture Sheet Set
1          #684565          Romance Rubber Stamp Set
12        #67002            PMC+ Clay, 20 gm

Tools: See Basic Tools List on Delphi’s Silver Jewelry Clay Instructions sheet. Or find tools needed in Delphi’s Silver Jewelry Clay Starter Kit #1041. Each 20 gram package of clay makes 4-6 pendants. Additional clay and all materials can also be purchased separately.

Optional: Alphabet Rubber Stamp Set #1044, Winged Creature Set #6845651, Feng Shui 1 #6845670, Feng Shui 2 #6845671. Any stamps may be used. Be careful to make sure the stamps are clean- no residue from other clays. Browse the stamp collections at craft stores. Make your own stamps with linoleum or Soft-kut printing plates. Try various gadgets and toys (Play Dough has made some great things over the years). Check out the antique stores for old metal type and design blocks - they work great!

Directions:

Refer to Delphi’s Silver Jewelry Clay Instructions for additional information. More on Delphi's Site

1. Divide clay into sections of about 5 grams each (1/4 of package), leaving one out and wrapping the others securely in plastic to prevent drying.

2. Roll out clay using roller (and cardboard strips to gauge thickness) over the texture sheet of your choice.

3. If you wish to use a rubber stamp to imprint a design, oil the surface of the stamp lightly. Align the stamp over the rolled out clay, then set it down flat on the clay surface. Press firmly and evenly to imprint the design, then lift the stamp straight up to prevent uneven pressure in the design.

4. Trim to the desired shape using the palette knife.

5. Using the round 3/16" (5 mm) pattern cutter, carefully punch where you would like to make a hole by which to hang the charm. You will want to allow several mm. on all sides around the hole to ensure sturdiness. Press the end of the cutter into the clay and lift up.

6. Use the pattern cutters to add any additional embellishments as desired. You can also create charms by rolling the clay onto the texture sheets and cutting out the surface design with a palette knife (as we did with the leaf charm in the picture shown above).

7. Dry the charms using a blow drier, letting the clay set, or placing on a warming tray.

8. File the charms to clean up the edges and shape (you can further clean up the surface by sanding with 600 grit sandpaper and following up with 1200 grit Sandpaper). Brush off any particles on the surface and inspect. Make any repairs now by applying paste, drying and filing again. Use pre-made PMC+ Paste #67003 or create paste by adding water to the clay.

9. Add design elements to the back side of the charm if desired, dry, file and clean up the surface.

10. Place the dry charm on your fire brick or kiln shelf an fire. To torch fire heat evenly until the pendant reaches a faint orange color and hold at this temperature for about 3 minutes. To fire in a kiln heat to about 1650 degrees F, hold for 10 minutes then cool.

11. Brush off the white residue from the firing using the wire bristle brush. Continue polishing as desired. You may also "burnish" the high points on the surface of the charm by rubbing the edge of the stainless steel tweezers firmly against the areas you wish to enhance.

12. Attach the charms to the bracelet with jumprings and jewelry pliers.

Creative Ideas:

Add CZ stones to the charms
Cut out charms following the contour of the imprinted design
Use PMC+ Syringe #67004 to add lines or details

More Jewelry Clay Instructions and Great Beginner Project Supplies

Working with Precious Metal Clay Book

Comprehensive guide presents 50 projects and plenty of useful tips for working with silver jewelry clay. Finished items are show in color; directions are augmented with color illustration to guide you through the creative process. Hardcover and spiral bound.

Kemper Too Use the Kemper Klay Gun #68709 for a limitless number of decorative clay effects. Includes 19 assorted discs with easy to use extruder gun. Pattern cutters allow students to make precise, even shapes quickly and easily. Sets include four cutter shapes: round, teardrop, star/flower and heart. Available in 3 sizes; 3/16 inch #68704, 3/8 inch #68705 and 3/4 inch #68707. Use multiple sizes to layer shapes on top one another. Designer Dot Set #68701 is a handy tool for quick and easy imprints in a variety of small designs. Includes eight interchangeable tips.

NOTE: If anyone uses this lesson, the Incredible Art Department is interested in your adaptations and will showcase some of your student work on this lesson.

Silver Clay can be a very expensive project for students. Bill Norton had some very good concerns that he posted to Getty TeacherArtExchange list:

I have a student teacher in my high school program this term who wants to use PMC Silver Clay for an Art Metal project. I have never used this product, but have been intrigued by it for a couple of years.

My questions are:
1. It is as easy to use as the explanations on the internet claim?
2. Roughly how much material do I need to order for a class of 28?
a. Do I order the sheet, clay and slip to be able to make a project?
b. We have a lab fee of $5.00 for silver, will this be enough?
3. How do you control waste for those students who don't follow directions and don't
seem to care about much?
4. Is firing this product as easy as the explanations claim.
5. Are there any special tools needed for this product?
6. Is there one book which is any better than the other for creating with this product?

Bill did do the lesson and used a torch for firing - although that is not recommended. He used a lower flame

Check out these websites:
http://www.pmcguild.com/
http://www.artclay.co.jp/htm/
http://www.artclayworld.com/

From a list member: The material works well. I am certified in both PMC and Art Clay. I would suggest that you try out the material before you attempt it with a class. The PMC Guild may be able to help you locate someone in your area who can fire it for you. You can find listings of what stones can and can't be fired through the PMC Guild. Cubic Zirconian fires just fine.

Those interested in Precious Metal Clay might want to take a look:
http://www.vickihardin.com/links/preciousmetalclay.html