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Welcome to the Top Ten!
See the inside of a professional metal clay artist's workbench in this list of my personal top ten tools for all folks who work with metal clay: Precious Metal Clay or Art Clay Silver. Plus, my top 5 books, where to shop and more!
My Top Ten Tools Every Metal Clayer Must Have
Any top ten list is arbitrary. There are some things that just missed the cut off. Here are my absolute must haves for all metal clayers.
Okay, it's true, I sell this item, but you'll noti 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 <ahref="http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com">Creative Texture Tools</a>2 points
This blending tool is a fabulous, well, blending t more...2 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 <a href="http://www.PMCToolandSupply.com">PMC Tool and Supply</a> and <a href="http://www.RioGrande.com">Rio Grande.</a> This tool is indispensible for blending ring seams.2 points
You've gotta have 'em. You'll need some fine point 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
If you like to be able to write whatever you want more...2 points
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 <a href="http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com/texturetools">Creative Texture Tools</a>2 points
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. <a href="http://www.creativetexturetools.com/handtools.html">Creative Texture Tools</a>2 points
You know how sometimes you need to pick something 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 <a href="http://www.creativetexturetools.com/handtools.html">Creative Texture Tools</a> You can also get this directly from the creator of it, <a href="http://www.PMCToolandSupply.com">PMC Tool and Supply.</a>2 points
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
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
You've got to have a rolling tool. It's not glamor 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 <a href="http://www.PMCToolandSupply.com">PMC Tool and Supply</a>
When I started out in metal clay, I used playing c 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 <a href="http://www.Pinzart.com">Pinzart</a>1 point
The website of Chris Darway, and the wonderful tools he has created. He has inventive, highly specialized and terrific tools. He also has a great tips section.
Primarily a specialist provider for metalsmiths, All Craft has also branched out into providing some great stuff for metal clayers. He's got everything you need for Keum-boo, including the gold foil.
It has been ten years since Precious Metal Clay wa more...0 points
It has been ten years since Precious Metal Clay was introduced in the United States, and it is time to see what artists have done with this fascinating material. This book gathers for the first time work made by leaders in the field. A critical essay by noted designer Donald Friedlich and a technical explanation from scientist Darnall Burks make this a landmark volume for artists and collectors.0 points
This amazing camera has 7.1 megapixels, yet costs under $200.00! It's easy to use and my pictures are amazingly sharp and clear. The more I use this camera, the more I like it.
The stabilization feature is amazing. Sorry to overuse the term, but it is. Pictures that would have been blurry with my old camera are perfect with this one. If you've been waiting to upgrade your camera, wait no longer, this is the one.
It's also small and light. It's so small, I keep thinking it's not in my camera bag! There are smaller ones, but I wouldn't trade the smaller size for losing features.
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
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
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
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
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
Hi! Great lens! This is a valuable resource and I can't wait to see more. Please visit my Bichon Frise Rescues lens. Proceeds from products sold go to rescue groups. Thanks! TOM
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