Nov
19 New Vintage Style Packaging
New vintage style packaging - you may have noticed some of the PMC packs are changing. However, the clay remains the same and nothing has been changed to the formula. Confused by the new look? The most unusual one is PMC Onefire Sterling which has been renamed PMC 950 Sterling. This has been done for those who choose to hallmark (fired items over 7.78g). However, as no PMC is marked as Britannia (950) silver ignore the 950 and mark as 925 sterling silver as per usual. If you are making to sell, or create items that will be worn on a regular basis fire at 900C for one hour in a temperature controlled kiln. Full details can be found on our product section website www.thepmcstudio.com.
May
Torch firing is one of the great benefits of working with PMC3. Its quick, easy and can be repeated many times. However, there are so many descriptions of what the clay should look like during firing that it can become confusing. Not enough heat and your piece does not sinter or too much heat and your piece will melt into a silver puddle! To show what that perfect 'alien orange' glow should look like I have posted some pictures on our facebook page. If in doubt fire in a dark room and the glow will be even better to see :-)Feb
25 Make something special for Mother's Day
Mother's Day (30th March) is the perfect opportunity to create something unique and use your PMC skills. Here is a project I hope will inspire you. The design allows you to copy it or adapt to suit your needs. We would love to see what you make so please post any pictures on our facebook page. Happy making!
What you need:
Agate/metal burnisher or tumbler polisher, Badger Balm, Clean up cutting and carving tool, Cutters- Heart set of 6, Large drinking straw, Heart shaped garnet 3-4mm, Paintbrush and cup of water, PMC3 9g silver, PMC3 paste to join components, Roller and 2 x 1.5mm spacers, Rubber block, Sandpaper, Snake roller, Stainless steel brush,Texture mat- Hearts Aflame
To fire: Kiln or use the Kiln Firing Service
Work mat or Teflon
Instructions for Flaming Heart Pendant
1 – Add texture
Rub badger balm on your hands, work mat, texture mat and roller. Place the clay on the texture mat and roll the clay 1.5mm thick using the roller and spacers. Remove the clay from the mat and place on a piece of Teflon. Replace the excess clay back into the pack.
2 – Create the base
Cut the main heart shape out using the largest heart cutter. Use the next size down heart cutter to remove the centre and leave the smaller heart aside to dry.
3 – Create the bail
Roll out a flat strip and wrap around the (thick) straw. Join the ends of the bail using paste. Now cut out two hearts using the smallest heart cutter. Place the hearts aside. Shape the edges of the bail using the clean up tool. Leave the bail to dry. Once dry, sand and refine. Your bail should be ‘perfect’ before adding to the rest of the pendant.
4 - Sand all the components prior to assembling the pendant. Start by adding the bail. Use plenty of paste to attach the bail to the large heart. Next, add the three smaller hearts using more paste.
5 - User the snake roller to roll a small coil. Wrap the coil around the Garnet to create a bezel. The table of the stone should be level with the clay to ensure the stone holds in place after firing. Attach to the main heart using paste and smooth using a little water with your paintbrush. Leave to dry and refine. Prior to firing make sure there is no clay left on the Garnet as this cannot be removed after firing.
6 - Please note: NATURAL GEMSTONES CANNOT BE TORCH FIRED.
Fire your pendant in an Evenheat Set-Pro kiln on the PMC3 Fast Programme (700C/10mins). Once fired, open the door about 2 cm/ 1 inch and leave the piece to cool in the kiln.
Should you not have access to a kiln The PMC Studio also offers a Kiln Firing Service. For information on how to use this service please go to www.thepmcstudio.com. The cost of this service is £2.50 per item or £10 for a kiln load plus return postage.
7 - Place the fired piece on the rubber block and use a stainless steel brush to polish. To achieve a high shine finish, continue using a burnisher or place in a tumble polisher with mixed stainless steel shot and 1/3 teaspoon of tumbler soap.
Optional: Use a soft cloth and silver polish to complete your polish.
