Copper clay, specifically Art Clay Copper, is used in a very similar way to silver clay. You can shape and manipulate it just as you would with silver clay. Here’s a breakdown:
Shaping and Forming
- Moulding: Like silver clay, you can use your hands or tools to mould copper clay into various forms.
- Texturing: You can press textures into the surface of the copper clay before it dries, creating patterns and designs.
Joining and Setting
- Joining Dry Pieces: You can stick together dry pieces of copper clay, allowing you to create more complex designs by joining individually shaped elements.
- Stone Setting: You can set stones into the copper clay, either before or after firing, using similar techniques used for silver clay.
Shrinkage
Art Clay Copper has a shrinkage rate of 8-10% during the firing process, which is comparable to the 8-9% shrinkage rate of Art Clay Silver. It's important to consider this when planning your designs.
Techniques
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Molding | Shaping the clay using hands or tools. |
| Texturing | Imprinting patterns on the clay. |
| Joining | Connecting dry clay pieces. |
| Setting Stones | Embedding gemstones in the clay. |
| Firing | Heating the clay in a kiln to transform it into solid copper. |
Practical Insights
- Workability: Copper clay is highly workable before firing, allowing for intricate designs and corrections.
- Firing Process: You'll need a kiln that can reach the correct temperature to fire copper clay and it will usually require a specific firing schedule.
- Finishing: After firing, copper clay pieces may need to be finished with filing, polishing and possibly an application of sealant.
