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Firing PMC With structural support

Jewelry Discussion
#1

Thank you all for your PMC help.

Mary Ellen, and anyone else, I have one other questions about this
project I need advice on.

The bracelet is two parts and then I will put a hinge on and clasp
post fire.

I am wondering how to support it while firing. Since it is large and
has medallions on each side - like 2 large C shaped objects,

Do I Make a cork clay structure to put inside each one and then bury
in Vermiculite?

Do I use Vermiculite or Perlite?

What about using fiber blankets?

Also - should I firing them heavy side down or both straight up?

I plan on firing them in my bronze clay pan - I just don’t want
slumping or warping since they have to fit together after firing.

Thanks for any and all help. I don’t think I can do this without you
guys!

Thanks,
Simone

#2 
I am wondering how to support it while firing. Since it is large
and has medallions on each side - like 2 large C shaped objects....

First, the best place to get advice on metal clay is the MetalClay
yahoo group. If you post your question there, you will probably get
several responses dealing with all the issues involved.

Personally, assuming you are making the piece with PMC3 or ACS650, I
would just lay them on their sides (so they look like Cs) and fire
that way on a refractory ceramic kiln shelf. The ceramic fiber
shelves can sometimes create a drag on the part of the piece lying
on them retarding the shrinkage of that side, resulting in a lopsided
piece. Alternately, I would drape them over fiber blanket and fire
that way.

You can burry them in vermiculite, pearlite, or potter’s sand, but
these will affect the shrinkage and warping as well. Don’t fire them
in direct contact with your stainless steel firing chamber as the
oxidizing flaking steel/iron can leave a stain on the surface of
your piece.

The piece can be gently reshaped after firing if there is any
warping.

Good Luck!
Mary Ellin D’Agostino, PhD
www.medacreations.com
Sr. Teacher, PMC Connection
Certified Artisan, PMC Guild