One of the greatest things about using precious metal clay (Metal Clay and ACS or Art Clay Silver) is that you can add texture simply to your creations. Before Pmc came along, the only way you might texture metal as a jewellery maker was to etch with chemicals, stamp with metal stamps, or utilise a dear rolling mill.

Metal Clay is very a lot like potter's clay, so that you can create distinctive details, complicated patterns, and shape and texture the metal while soft. Try doing that with metal sheet!

Be certain to remember before starting though that metal clay has a tendency to be tacky and you want to employ a release agent to whatever it touches. I like to employ a very thin coating of olive oil on my hands, work area, and tools. Don't avoid this! You will be very sorry and have a mess to wash up. Be sure not to use too much oil though because this may also mean an enormous mess.

Here are some easy ways to add texture to precious metal clay while wet.

1. Rubberized Stamps

Rubber Stamps are generally readily available and come in a bewildering selection of types these days. Art supply outlets, scrapbooking retailers, and even specialized rubber stamp providers are all around.

2. Rubber and Silicone Texture Mats

Texture mats are available in truly fantastic patterns, and because these types of mats are bendable, it is possible to press them around curved forms.

3. Plastic Texture plates / Rubbing Plates

These are pretty inexpensive, and usually come with textures stamped on either side of the sheet. Just press the clay onto the sheet or vice versa.

4. Push Molds

There are some beautiful polymer clay push molds available, but as most are rigid, you will have issues getting your metal clay out of them. Be sure to make use of some olive oil or a product like Cool Slip to help the metal clay not stick to the mold. Allowing the precious metal clay to dry and reduce in size a tad is going to help release stubborn clay.

You will find flexible type push molds in candy and cake decorating supply retailers that are fantastic tools too.

5. Found Objects

Found objects are the ultimate in cheap texturing tools! Coins, leaves, bark, driftwood, fabric, and textured wallpaper pieces will all do the job. Do not forget to use some olive oil or other release agent. Use your imagination and you will find lots of other textured objects you can make use of.

Skewers or toothpicks can also be employed to make dots, and scrape lines into the clay. If you are able to find typewriter keys these may be employed to press letters and words into your clay. If you are unable to find old typewriter keys, cheap metal letter stamps are available.

6. DIY Texturing Gear

I love to make my own texturing gear from polymer clay. To make your own, just do what I am doing, and shape scrap polymer clay into a1 with a handle formed bit that pokes from the back. Make a pattern on the lumpy part. This will be the portion you press into the clay. I've made ones with crosshatch shapes, blossoms, polka dots, and small leaves. Once you produce a tool, just cure your new texturing tool according to the polymer clay information.

There are lots of other ways to make your own texturing tools also. Be sure to check out my other articles for more suggestions.

As it is easy to see, precious metal clay presents almost limitless options for creating textured jewellery, charms, pendants, beads, and findings. What are you making today?

Looking for metal clay, clay tools, and texture plates? Have a look at my precious metal clay supply posts and articles at http://shop.how-to-make-jewelry.com/metal-clay-supplies/. On these webpages you'll find metal clay products and links for a variety of providers and retailers worldwide.