Top Ten Tools for Metal Clay

Colour Shaper

This blending tool is a fabulous, well, blending tool. more...3 points

This blending tool is a fabulous, well, blending tool. The tapered one can also be used to create a tapered indention for setting round faceted CZ's. You can find the Colour Shapers at PMC Tool and Supply and Rio Grande. This tool is indispensible for blending ring seams.3 points

Teflon Work Surface

Okay, it's true, I sell this item, but you'll notice more...2 points

Okay, it's true, I sell this item, but you'll notice my top ten is made up of products from lots of different companies, not just mine.

I used to use other work surfaces, even after I started selling the Teflon Work Surface, but I've finally switched myself to using this as my primary work surface. You shouldn't cut on it. If you're not satisfied with the surface you're getting on your metal clay, it could be your surface. This item is $15.00 and is available at /www.CreativeTextureTools.com">Creative Texture Tools2 points

Paint Brushes

You've gotta have 'em. You'll need some fine pointed more...2 points

You've gotta have 'em. You'll need some fine pointed one, and some squared off ones that you keep clean and dry. Buy at your local arts and crafts store. Natural bristles are nice for the pointy ones.

Use pointed ones to apply slip, apply water, blend areas...

Use the dry squared off ones to brush away excess slip.2 points

Carving Tool

I use this tool to apply slip. You can use it like more...2 points

I use this tool to apply slip. You can use it like a putty knife to pack slip into a gap. I also use it to sort of file completely dry metal clay. I use it for everything. Creative Texture Tools2 points

Thin Lifting Blade

You know how sometimes you need to pick something you've more...2 points

You know how sometimes you need to pick something you've made in metal clay and it's ever so slightly stuck? This super thin steel blade will save the day! You can also use it to cut 90 degree angles. Couldn't live without it. You can get it from me at Creative Texture Tools You can also get this directly from the creator of it, PMC Tool and Supply.2 points

Dehydrator

For some reason, it took me a long time to get aro more...2 points

For some reason, it took me a long time to get around to buying a dehydrator. Now that I have one, I can't believe I did without it. Put your pieces in the dehydrator to dry: they'll dry more quickly and evenly than with other methods. Saves time, can't beat that. Buy at your local chain discount store for a regular one. Can also be found at thrift stores or garage sales in some areas of the country. And on ebay.2 points

Eye Shadow Applicators

These are used like this: dip in water, squeeze ou more...2 points

These are used like this: dip in water, squeeze out excess, and use on completely dry metal clay as a wet sanding method. Buy them at your local chain discount store, beauty supply store or on line.2 points

Rolling Tool

You've got to have a rolling tool. It's not glamorous, more...1 point

You've got to have a rolling tool. It's not glamorous, but ya gotta have one. I use the one I got from PMC Tool and Supply

And it's a bargain to boot.1 point

Graduated Slats for Rolling

When I started out in metal clay, I used playing cards more...1 point

When I started out in metal clay, I used playing cards as a rolling tool, as everyone does. I've finally switched to the Graduated Slats for Rolling from Pinzart. You can see one set of them in the picture at the top. Those are the old school ones, the new ones are a solid color.

Only $10.00, and you'll use them forever. Find them at Pinzart1 point

Alphabet Tool

If you like to be able to write whatever you want in more...1 point

If you like to be able to write whatever you want in metal clay, and lots of us do, you'll like this DIY Alphabet Tool I've created. Before I came up with this tool, I used typewriter strikers, but not everyone can find them or likes them. This solves all those problems and makes super readable text. Find them at Creative Texture Tools1 point

Agate Burnisher

You can use this wonderful tool not only for Keum more...1 point

You can use this wonderful tool not only for Keum Boo, but also to polish your fired metal clay.1 point

Liver of Sulphur

You'll want this to be able to blacken your fired more...1 point

You'll want this to be able to blacken your fired metal clay to highlight certain areas, such as a texture or words.1 point

Dehydrator

Dedydrators do take up some space, but I think the more...0 points

Dedydrators do take up some space, but I think they are worth it in terms of making sure that your clay is dry, and speeding your work time.0 points

Kiln!

How could I have forgotten the kiln! Ideally, it w more...0 points

How could I have forgotten the kiln! Ideally, it will be a computer programmable Paragon.0 points

Smooth Roller

When you roll out a snake of clay, if you just use more...0 points

When you roll out a snake of clay, if you just use your fingers, the snake won't be smooth. Using the Smooth Roller, one of our exclusives at CreativeTextureTools.com, eliminates that problem.0 points

Texture Plates

Most of us want to take advantage of the terrific more...0 points

Most of us want to take advantage of the terrific ability of metal clay to take impressions. You'll want rubber stamps, brass or plastic texture plates, Silicone Texture Plates (TM) and unmounted rubber stamps. Make your own using polymer clay or photopolymer plates.0 points

Tiny Circle Cutters

Buy brass tubing at the hardware store or buy one more...0 points

Buy brass tubing at the hardware store or buy one of the products on the market for this. Celie Fago's nesting tubes. Or the Brass Precision Circle Cutters or Steel Precision Circle Cutters from CreativeTextureTools.com.0 points

Tissue Blade

Another essential! You can buy these in the polyme more...0 points

Another essential! You can buy these in the polymer clay aisle at your local crafs store, and on line. Be careful, they are very sharp!0 points

White Polishing Squares

Those little white polishing pads from Rio Grande more...0 points

Those little white polishing pads from Rio Grande are amazing. Use them to remove excess liver of sulphur from the high spots, while leaving it intact in the low spots.0 points

A firing dish

In addition to your basic kiln furniture: shelves more...0 points

In addition to your basic kiln furniture: shelves and stilts, you'll also want some sort of container to hold the vermiculte or perlite you use when firing an object that might need support in the kiln. You can use small flower pots and saucers, but realize they will crack from thermal shock eventually. The Steel Sager Sets from PMCToolandSupply.com are terrific for this, and won't crack.0 points

PMC Guild PMC Conference 2010

1 point

Society of North American Goldsmiths 09

1 point

The next CLASP Conference by Rio

1 point

Metal Clay World Conference by Art Clay World 09

1 point

http://plastermolds.org/

Discover the various uses and various sorts of pla more...0 points

Discover the various uses and various sorts of plaster shapes. Discover ways to maintain all of them and also where to get one.0 points

GIA diamond

Diamonds on fire inc is one of the best
GIA diamond, more...0 points

Diamonds on fire inc is one of the best
GIA diamond, GIA certified diamonds, solitaire Diamonds, Emerald Cut Diamonds, Princess Cut Diamonds, engagement ring diamonds seller.0 points