Precious metal clay (also known as PMC and ACS or Art Clay Silver) is very simple to use, and is similar to working with plasticine or pottery clay. {It's pliable, moldable and in the case of newer clays like BronzeClay and CopperClay, progressively more affordable even for those on a budget.

Here's how use metal clay to make your own unique creations. First you form the pieces, let them dry, then use a firing method to burn away the organic binder. Fine metal particles are suspended in an organic binder that can be burnt off leaving the metal fused into the form you shape it.

You can use umpteen different methods to mold, texture, and shape the precious metal clay into marvellous and delicate forms, but you'll have to read one of my other articles for those! This article will share various methods to fire your creations once they are formed and dried.

Firing Your Precious Metal Clay

Let's discuss the 3 most commonly used methods for firing your pieces. Using a torch, a pmc kiln or bead kiln, or something called a "Hot Pot" (or similar gas/metal screen setup).

1. Using a Torch

You should only torch small pieces that are less than 25g. Also, it's best to make sure your piece is fairly even in thickness and more or less simple. Complicated and intricate pieces are inclined to fare best in a kiln.

Here's how to torch fire. Be sure touse a a fire proof and heat retardant like a soldering pad or a fire brick with a piece of aluminum sheet underneath. You'll want a well ventilated area. Using your butane torch (I use a Blazer torch), aim your flame on the dry precious metal clay piece. At first you'll see a small amount of smoke as the binder burns away. After that you just need to get the piece glowing a nice pinky orange colour (you can see it quite clearly as long as your light isn't too bright) Move the torch away slightly and then forward again if the glow fades. Just don't go really close with the torch once you have got up to temperature or you will melt the detail on your work.

2. Firing in a Kiln

A small kiln is ideal for firing metal clay. Even heat and higher temperatures will usually produce stronger pieces, and some types of PMC like bronze clay, original PMC, most copper and gold clay will only really fire properly in a kiln.

Any kiln should work, but Precious Metal Clay kilns are available. These are table top kilns. They are very small as kilns go. They run on regular household electricity, but they do need a three prong outlet.

To use, just follow the instructions from the kiln manufacturer.

3. Hot Pot or Other Gas Ring/ Metal Screen Setup

There is a great little product available called the "Hot Pot" that's available at precious metal clay stockists. The Hot Pot makes it easy to fire pmc without a kiln and is ideal for people who are fearful of the torch. The Hot Pot uses a sterno-like fuel to fire your jewelry projects. When the fuel burns out, your jewelry is done. It's a very simple, low tech and affordable option to create your own jewelry.

To use the Hot Pot, you fill the provided terra cotta pot with fuel, then place your dried metal clay project onto the wire grid. Finally, you light the fuel with a long match. Once your fuel burns out, your creation is fired and ready for polishing.

Looking for precious metal clay retailers? Resource woman to the rescue! Take a look at my Metal Clay Supplies pages and posts. There are metal clay materials and links for several different suppliers and stockists worldwide. http://shop.how-to-make-jewelry.com/metal-clay-supplies/