Metal Clay Product Reviews: Products, Tools, Books, Magazines and Videos for Metal Clay Artisans Using PMC, Art Clay Silver (or gold), Bronze Clay or Copper Clay

Forgive me for stating the obvious: These reviews express my personal opinions, experiences and observations about products I've used. Your mileage may vary, and my preferred products may not appeal to you at all.

Also, despite my best efforts to provide accurate information, there's always a chance that something here might be incorrect or out of date. Feel free to bring factual inaccuracies to my attention. I will try to verify the relevant information and correct it here.

I hope that these product reviews will be helpful to you, but since everyone's tastes and experiences can differ, please don't rely upon these reviews as your only source of input for your purchasing decisions. Ultimately, we all are responsible for our own buying choices.

End of disclaimer. Now let's get down to the stuff you came here for... metal clay-related product reviews! :)

Metal Clay Findings is a company with a single focus: providing innovative findings that meet the specific needs of metal clay artisans. Because the company has developed quite a number of unique and useful products (and continues to do so), I've chosen to review the entire product line rather than writing individual reviews for just a few of their products.

Owner Anthony Squillacci, Jr. has worked for more than 32 years in his family's highly regarded manufacturing business, which produces metal jewelry findings, stamping, tubing, etc. He is extremely knowledgeable about the manufacture of jewelry findings, and he carries on the family tradition with this extremely high-quality line of fine silver metal clay findings made in the U.S.A.

Since its inception, the company has introduced many innovative products for use with metal clay. At the time of this writing, their product line includes:

• Tabbed silver bezels (shown above) and tabbed bezel wire that, like all the company's embeddable .999 fine silver findings, can be fired in place with silver PMC or Art Clay and will fuse with the sintered silver clay to create a strong, seamless bond.
• Ring liners - fine silver band rings designed to be completely covered with metal clay. The ring liners are scored across the outer surface to provide "tooth" for the clay to grab on to. Like the company's ring bands (which are not scored so that some of the band can be left exposed), can be only partially ornamented with clay), they take all the guesswork out of sizing your metal clay rings, can't come apart at the seams, and provide a perfectly smooth interior, so you can focus on the best part: designing.
• Curved and straight tubing, which can be used for bails, hinges, and many other applications.
• Embeddable earwires that can be fired in place (fine silver fish hooks and leverbacks are available also so you can market your earrings legally as .999 fine silver).
• Fine silver jump rings that can be embedded in unfired PMC or Art Clay Silver or used with fired metal clay pieces.
• Plain round accent beads for stringing with your metal clay beads, pendants, etc.,(so your finished design is entirely .999 FS) and fine silver balls that can be embedded in silver clay, ensuring perfectly round spheres (and perfectly matching sizes, if you wish).
• An exciting recent addition to the line is the new flared bead cores, which come in an unthreaded version that is sized perfectly to slip onto the popular Pandora, Chamilia, Biagi, and Trollbeads type interchangeable bead charm bracelets, and in a threaded version designed to screw onto Pandora and Chamilia type bracelets. You can use these fine silver cores as a base for creating lampworked glass beads, or wrap them with metal clay or even polymer clay.
• The new "artisan kits" are great project kits developed in collaboration with well-known jewelry artists and teachers. The first kits are from Sherri Haab and Barbara Becker Simon, including one that teaches Barbara's method for created lampworked beads with a fine silver core quickly and easily by using Metal Clay Findings' unique flared bead cores.
• And the brand new and ingenious interchangeable bead earring findings allow you to switch in and out any of the beads you create on the flared bead cores (or any beads that fit on Pandora, Chamilia, Biagi, and Trollbeads type interchangeable bead bracelets).

In my personal experience, Metal Clay Findings not only offers high-quality, innovative and often unique products developed specifically for metal clay artists, but also delivers superior customer service. Mr. Squillacci personally welcomes (and is very responsive to) input from metal clay artisans about desired products that are not available in the marketplace. In fact, many of the company's products were developed directly as a result of customer requests and suggestions.

The site includes a "How To" section with tips on working with some of the the company's unique products, such as tabbed bezel wire and ring liners. There's also a gallery of customer designs created with Metal Clay Findings products that is sure to inspire you.

Metal Clay Findings offers a discount program for certified metal clay artisans and instructors for which you can apply on their web site if you qualify. The company is constantly expanding its product line, so I recommend signing up for their new product announcement e-mails so you don't miss their next new product.

The UltraLite Beehive Kiln from JEC Products, Inc. is a versatile "trinket kiln" that's extremely useful for metal clay artisans. It's more versatile than torch-firing and less expensive than a full-size kiln. Best of all, it's a purchase you won't outgrow if you decide to purchase a full-size kiln at a later date, because you'll still use the UltraLite for enameling and keum-boo (applying 24k gold foil to your fired metal clay pieces with heat and pressure). It also can be used for granulation of sterling and fine silver if you purchase the optional Temperature Control cord. And according to the manufacturer, you also can fuse glass in the UltraLite kiln.

Torch firing is a great metal clay skill to have, but to ensure proper sintering you're limited to firing fairly thin pieces no larger than a quarter or maybe a half-dollar. (It's hard to keep the entire piece at sintering temperature at the same time during the firing process on anything larger than that.) The UltraLite gives you the ability to fire larger, thicker pieces than you could with a torch.

Advantages:

• The UltraLite is much less expensive than a regular kiln. Currently, the UltraLite kiln costs $167, and the ceramic discs you'll need for firing metal clay cost $21. So you'll spend less than $190 on the UltraLite vs. $400-$500 and (way) up for most kilns.


• The UltraLite beehive kiln uses much less electricity than a full-size kiln, and costs about 7 times less to run. According to JEC Products' John Chabrian, "The UltraLite uses only 250 Watts of electricity compared to the 1700 Watts used by the larger box kilns. This equates to operating costs that are 7 times lower."


• The UltraLite is more flexible than torch-firing. It allows you to fire larger, thicker and more complex pieces than you can with a torch, and with a higher degree of confidence that they will be sintered properly without being melted accidentally (assuming you have done the recommended firing test).


• A second ceramic insert disc placed on the lid can be used as a drying surface for your metal clay pieces while the UltraLite kiln preheats. 10 minutes usually is enough to dry most pieces this way. You don't need a separate mug warmer, and it provides extra insurance that no moisture is left in pieces that have been air-dried (with or without a dehydrator).


• The UltraLite needs only 15 minutes recovery time between firings. When you fire metal clay in the UltraLite, you place a ceramic insert (waffle-textured side down) over the heating element, cover with the domed lid and preheat the kiln for 45 minutes before adding your metal clay greenware. After you fire and remove your piece, if you want to do another firing, just replace the cover for 15 minutes to bring it back to full firing temperature.


• You can fire the UltraLite on virtually any flat surface next to an electrical outlet. Many people use the kiln on their kitchen counters. Just put it on a heat-proof surface - a large ceramic tile, an insulated counter protector, etc. - and put another heat-proof surface next to it so you can set down the hot lid, hot tools, etc.


• The UltraLite has multiple additional uses for metal clay and jewelry artists, including keum-boo, enameling, fusing and granulation. I strongly recommend the red brass inserts designed by Celie Fago if you have any interest at all in doing keum-boo. In my opinion, the UltraLite with these inserts is absolutely the best keum-boo set-up available. I purchased mine after I already had a kiln and wouldn't be without it, just to use for keum-boo. The original purpose for which the UltraLite "trinket kiln" was designed was for granulation and enameling. And according to the manufacturer's site, it can be used for fusing as well.

Limitations:

• The UltraLite doesn't offer the same temperature range or control of full-size kilns.The UltraLite kiln with the ceramic inserts for metal clay fires at approximately 1550F, depending on the voltage in your area (110V-120V in the US). If you want to use it for keum-boo (and it's perfect for that application), you'll need to purchase the optional red brass covers, which will lower the temperature to approximately 775F-835F. If you want to fire pieces with cork clay armatures, or fire heat-sensitive stones embedded in PMC3 or Art Clay Silver 650, fuse glass or do silver granulation, you will need to purchase the optional temperature controller cord that allows you to reduce the kiln temperature as low as 800F. The new version of the controller (July 2008) has markings from 0-100% (of the kiln's maximum temperature); a chart translates the percentages into actual temperatures. An optional Flat Cover is available that can be used in place of the regular domed cover to raise the firing temperature by 100F. It was designed to provide additional heat for firing large enamels.


• The firing temperature is "approximate" because electricity in the US can vary from 110-120 volts, which has an effect on the maximum temperature of the kiln. (Note: There is a 230V version available for non-US users from JEC's international distributors.) Depending on the voltage in your area, firing with the lid on could raise the temperature enough to melt metal clay, especially if you're also using the optional Flat Cover. For that reason, it's advisable to do a firing test on a piece of scrap (fine silver or metal clay) to determine whether you can fire with the lid on without melting your silver. See the "Tips" section, below.


• The cord is extremely short and it's preferable not to use an extension cord. However, in many if not most studios, an extension cord for the UltraLite is a practical necessity. If you use one, it must be heavy-duty (a minimum of 16 gauge wire) and no longer than 6' maximum. JEC sells 6' extension cords made specifically for the UltraLite, and the optional Temperature Control cord can serve as an extension cord also.


• The UltraLite can't accommodate extremely large/thick/volumetric pieces in a single firing. However, you can fire without the cover and fire multiple times, turning the piece to a different side for each firing to ensure that the entire piece has been sintered properly.

Cost:

At of this writing, the basic kiln costs around $167 and the ceramic inserts for firing metal clay cost $21. The red brass inserts for keum-boo will add another $28, the Flat Cover $8 and the temperature controller $38. If you use the kiln often, eventually you will need to replace the heating element. Currently a replacement elements costs $37.

You can purchase the UltraLite Beehive Kiln directly from JEC Products or from Whole Lotta Whimsy, Cool Tools and Rio Grande (you'll need an account, customer number and login in order to purchase from riogrande.com).

• Test-fire some scrap to avoid melting your metal clay masterpieces! Since variations in electricity can cause variations in temperature depending on where your kiln in plugged in, do yourself a favor and test-fire in the preheated kiln with the lid on either 1) a scrap of fine silver sheet or wire for 20 minutes or 2) a small scrap of metal clay for 30 minutes. If at the end of the test-firing period the silver glows orange-red, it's OK to fire metal clay with the lid on. If it starts to shimmer (like mercury), the silver is starting to melt, so you'll need to fire your metal clay with the lid off.


• Use caution - and a pair of heatproof tweezers - to place your metal clay pieces in the preheated kiln. The ceramic disc gets extremely hot and touching it accidentally could cause a serious burn.

LiL BeLLA is a small humidifier will help you keep your unwrapped metal clay (and slip or paste) moist for hours during your work session. I adore mine (and recently purchased some extras for BRONZclay).

LiL BeLLA resembles a little clay flowerpot with a piece of sponge on the inside and a handle on the outside. Its inventor, award-winning metal clay artist and instructor Donna Lewis, recently enhanced the design to make her LiL BeLLAs retain moisture even better than the original version. (One enhancement is a special exterior glaze applied by Donna and fired by a local potter; the others are trade secrets.) There have been imitations, but none work as well as the authentic improved LiL BeLLA.

Just soak LiL BeLLA briefly in a bowl of water (or run it under water) and it's ready to go. Cut off the amount of metal clay you need from the package and, instead of rewrapping it and resealing the rest, just cover it with the LiL BeLLA. It will stay moist and pliable for several hours. When you're through working, work a drop of water or extender into the remaining clay, rewrap it in the original plastic wrapping and seal it back in its foil pouch for storage.

Advantages:

• You don't have to stop to unseal the foil pouch and unwrap the clay every time you need more, or rewrap and reseal it after you remove what you need. The clay stays moist and ready to use under LiL BeLLA.
• Eliminates the need to keep the clay you've removed moist while you're rewrapping and resealing the rest of the clay.
• Lets you keep your paste or slip container uncovered while you work. Place your open container of slip or paste under LiL BeLLA when you start your work session. When you need paste or slip, just lift LiL BeLLA enough to dip your brush and then replace the dome over the container to keep it moist.
• LiL BeLLA takes up less than 3" of workspace.

Limitations:

• The body of LiL BeLLA is a terra cotta pot that can crack or break if dropped or stored without appropriate protection. (I store my BeLLAs wrapped in bubble wrap in a small cardboard box.)

Cost:
LiL BeLLA is available directly from its inventor, Donna Lewis, for $8.99 plus shipping on her site Metal Clay Arts, or on eBay (ID Redbiz50).

Note: Donna provides superb customer service. She'll answer any questions you have quickly and clearly, pack your LiL BeLLAs carefully and securely, and ship them to you promptly. And if you ever have a problem with your LiL BeLLA, she'll help you solve it quickly and cheerfully.

• Make components or embellishments from fresh clay and keep them fresh and moist under LiL BeLLA until you're ready to attach them.


• LiL BeLLA is only large enough for one package of clay or one jar of slip, so you may want to purchase more than one. Currently I own three - one for silver lump clay, one for silver slip, and another for BRONZclay - and probably will purchase more if I start working with gold clay at some point.

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