Joy Funnell

Art Clay Silver is silver in a clay form. Finely powdered silver is mixed with water and non-toxic binders and is worked like a clay to create wonderful unique pieces. By working with the clay fine details and textures can be achieved. Once dried and completely finished to a high standard it is fired in a kiln or by using a torch or gas stove and the binders burn away leaving pure fine silver which can be hallmarked. It is made using all recycled silver which is reclaimed from sources such as x-ray film stock and batteries and is very environmentally friendly. I make most of my work using Art Clay Silver.

I am a certified Senior Instructor in Art Clay Silver and run workshops all year round in Hastings and Bexhill, East Sussex. If you would like to learn how to make your own silver jewellery using this wonderful material then please click on the link to the right for more details. You can start with the minimum of tools and equipment and it is safe for children to use. As well as teaching group workshops I also teach one to one and two to one workshops which can be tailored to meet your individual learning requirements meaning that you get the maximum benefit from your course. On the Shop pages you will find Art Clay materials, tools and books for sale.

Art Clay comes in various different forms.

650 Clay type

This can be modelled in the same way as regular water-based clay. Once opened, it is susceptible to the air and must be kept moist in order to retain its pliability and workability. Use a container of water and a paintbrush to moisten any areas of the clay surface that begin to crack while working.

650 Slow Dry type

As this product name describes itself, it is formulated to remain pliable for up to four times longer than the 650 Clay type. The advantage of using Slow Dry type is its obvious extended working time, meaning that you could create small, delicate pieces without the edges cracking as quickly due to air drying. Flower petals, stems, etc., can be formed and joined easily. Also, Slow Dry type allows you the time to extrude the clay through an empty syringe into long ropes or strips which then can be woven, braided, or otherwise manipulated without cracking.

650 Paste type

The only difference between Paste type and Clay type is the amount of water portion in the mixture. Paste type comes in the consistency of melted ice cream and you should only transfer the amount needed from the jar to a small tray and dilute with water to create desired thickness. It is used in several ways:

• As a glue to join two pieces of dry or wet clay together.
• As a gap-filler for pits and cracks that appear in dried pieces.
• To attach silver findings (screw eyes, bailbacks, brooch findings, etc.) to dried or wet clay pieces. During firing, the normal contraction of the clay bonds the findings.
• When applied in separate layers onto organic forms such as leaves, dried flowers, paper-origami, etc, the Paste type creates a perfect impression of the form.

650 Syringe type

Syringe type is 10gm of Art Clay Silver in a pre-loaded syringe. Syringe type comes packaged in three ways: with colour-coded tips (blue, green and grey), each an increasingly larger diameter; a one tip (green) nozzle; and without any tips, purely a refilled syringe. Each of the tips is reusable and only needs to be purchased once. The diameter of each syringe nozzle is; Blue Nozzle: 0.41mm, Green Nozzle: 0.84mm, and Grey Nozzle: 1.19mm. The consistency of Syringe type is totally different from that of Paste type and it is not paste in a syringe. Syringe type is thicker, more controllable. It is used in several ways:

• To decorate pieces, much like using cake decorating tips. Lines, filigree, faux cloisonné borders, and even hollow balls can be made with Syringe type.
• As a repair glue to fill cracks and gaps.
• To attach findings to wet or dry clay pieces

Paper type Basic Series

It is a unique, paper-thin sheet of silver clay that needs no drying time. You can easily fold, bend, punch or cut shapes with a pair of scissors or paper punches just like you do with regular paper. You can apply techniques from Origami, paper crafting, fabric and leather crafting. It comes in 75mm square sheet, 10 gm of clay with nearly all of the water removed. There other features:

• Paper type needs to be fired from a cool kiln, below 150c / 300f and should take at least 15 minutes to reach the temperature.
• If you add excess moisture, Paper type will lose its shine and begin to degrade. Fires at 800c / 1472f for 30 minutes.

Oil Paste type

Art Clay Oil Paste is an oil-based paste and it is formulated to act as a bond between fired silver pieces. Oil Paste provides a solid weld between pure silver findings, or between two fired pieces. It comes in two separately sealed jars. One has 10gm of the very thick paste, the other contains a thinner that is used to keep the paste at working consistency. Both jars must be kept tightly capped. Silver findings also can be attached to the piece by Oil Paste, and then refired for adhesion. Fires at 800c / 1472f for 30 minutes or 850c / 1562f for 10 minutes.