PMC and bezel wire before firing?

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello,

I just took my first PMC class. Fun! Instant gratification! I’d like
to cut bezel wire and insert it in the clay before the next firing
(not in a kiln). Will it melt? Will the clay cause the bezel wire to
be distorted?

Does anyone know an inexpensive place to purchase a trinket kiln?

Thank you,
Sheridan in Chicago

2 
I'd like to cut bezel wire and insert it in the clay before the
next firing (not in a kiln). Will it melt? Will the clay cause the
bezel wire to be distorted? Does anyone know an inexpensive place to
purchase a trinket kiln?

Yes, you can insert bezel wire (fine silver) into any of the three
types of PMC. No, it won’t melt. The highest firing temp. of PMC
(1650) is still below the melting temperature. It will only melt if
the kiln’s temperature goes too high.

No, I don’t know of an inexpensive place to purchase a trinket kiln.
I assume you mean the JEC Ultra-Light Beehive Kiln, which can be
used to fire all three types of PMC.

You can buy it from John, who makes them, at:

or Rio Grande.

With the extra kiln shelves that you need, it will be $150.00 either
place.

It’s the cheapest, most versatile way to fire PMC.

Note I said cheapest, most versatile. Not the cheapest. The cheapest
would be:

  • the “Hot Pot” at $30.00 or $70.00 depending on what it’s made of
    (uses alcohol fuel)

  • torch firing

Neither of which are ideal.

There is also a new type of “kiln” that uses propane gas and costs
about the same as the Ultra-Light. I can’t recommend this personally
as I haven’t tried it yet, and I would think it has to be used
outside, something that is not an option for everyone.

Elaine

Elaine Luther
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com ™
Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay

3

Sheridan in Chicago,

This is Jackie from Oak Lawn. Yes, you can certainly imbed the bezel
wire into metal clay (of course, I use Art Clay). Because of the low
shrinkage (8-9%) it won’t distort the bezel much at all, and actually
locks onto it when fired. You need to imbed the bezel just slightly
into the clay, and paste inside and out. If you push the bezel in too
deeply, it will break through the back when firing.

For a great project using bezel and stones, refer to our Book 2, at
www.artclayworld.com. There are so many terrific things to do with
Art Clay,

I suggest you just inhale all the available wherever you
can find it.

Jackie

4

Hi Elaine

About this propane kiln you mention. I understand you can’t
recommend something without hands-on experience but why do you
suspect it must be used outdoors? Not that I’m about to get one but
still want to know.

michaela

5 
About this propane kiln you mention. I understand you can't
recommend something without hands-on experience but why do you
suspect it must be used outdoors? Not that I'm about to get one but
still want to know.

Well, because it’s the same kind of tank that’s used for a camping
stove and it puts out flames, big, open flames. We’re not talking
about a little torch flame here. And you might run it as hot as 1650
for two hours. Not in my house.

It was developed and is sold by www.PMC123.com. Has a pyrometer. It’s
a great concept. I’ve talked to one teacher who’s seen it work and
she was favorably impressed.

One of many examples of the creativity and inventiveness going on in
the metal clay field – in terms of tools I mean.

Elaine

Elaine Luther
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com ™
Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay

6

Do you fire your kiln outdoors as well? I think we need to get a
perspective on what MUST be fired outdoors versus what we think
should be fired outdoors. It might be a matter of preference, but
not of necessity. I’ve fired a lot of cork clay indoors that I might
have preferred to do outdoors because of the smoke it produced. But I
was also aware that it was not toxic, just smelly! We need to
remember that ALL of these products, whether it’s a torch, Speedfire
Cone, Kiln or Hot Pot, need to be monitored and handled with care. I
would no more think of leaving my working kiln unattended than I
would the lit Speedfire or my propane glass torch. If you follow
instructions carefully and use common sense, there’s no reason that
any of the above products NEED to be used outside. However, if you
are paranoid about open torch flames, I’m assuming you also have an
electric stove and oven because you wouldn’t leave your gas stove
burners on for 2 hours while you make soup. You don’t put a burning
hot coffee cup between your legs while you drive, and you don’t leave
open heat or flame unattended. Right?

Jackie Truty
Art Clay World, USA, Inc.

7

Jackie,

We need to remember that ALL of these products, whether it's a
torch, Speedfire Cone, Kiln or Hot Pot, need to be monitored and
handled with care.

You make so much sense whether you are talking about or the need to
finish art clay, thanks

Lynda