All this talk about PMC reminded me that I still have several
unopened 50 gram packs left over from when I tried it and then
decided it did not suit what I make. I got some wonderful
instruction from the book written by Jackie Truty, and from friends
whose specialization is metal clay.
However, enjoyable as it was to work with (I have a programmable
kiln), it just did not lend itself to what I do. Fabrication and
casting are much more suitable for me than metal clay, especially as
the cost of the materials for fabrication and casting are less by
far than that forthe metal clay. Today a 50 gram packet sells for
$113.00, and a troyoz of fine silver is $16.00. But that is beside
the point.
Which brings me to my question. I opened one of the packets this
morning, and found that the Art Clay had gotten hard and unusable,
even though the packets were completely sealed. To my surprise I
just learned that it has a shelf life of 2-3 years, and mine is
about 5 years old. Since I have it I would like to use up rather
than have it go to waste, but don’t know how to reconstitute it, to
a workable state, or even if it can be done, Any suggestions will be
appreciated. I thought of taking it to be refined, but they will not
accept it as it is still mingled with the clay. I thought of putting
the lumps in the kiln and burning off the binder, but then decided
to try to reconstitute it and use it, if possible.
Alma-- in the Pacific Northwest where we are having freezing nights,
some freezing rain, and howling winds.
All this talk about PMC reminded me that I still have several
unopened 50 gram packs left over from when I tried it and then
decided it did not suit what I make. I got some wonderful
instruction from the book written by Jackie Truty, and from friends
whose specialization is metal clay.
However, enjoyable as it was to work with (I have a programmable
kiln), it just did not lend itself to what I do. Fabrication and
casting are much more suitable for me than metal clay, especially as
the cost of the materials for fabrication and casting are less by
far than that for the metal clay. Today a 50 gram packet sells for
$113.00, and a troy oz of fine silver is $16.00. But that is beside
the point.
Which brings me to my question. I opened one of the packets this
morning, and found that the Art Clay had gotten hard and unusable,
even though the packets were completely sealed. To my surprise I
just learned that it has a shelf life of 2-3 years, and mine is
about 5 years old. Since I have it I would like to use up rather
than have it go to waste, but don’t know how to reconstitute it, to
a workable state, or even if it can be done, Any suggestions will be
appreciated. I thought of taking it to be refined, but they will not
accept it as it is still mingled with the clay. I thought of putting
the lumps in the kiln and burning off the binder, but then decided
to try to reconstitute it and use it, if possible.
Alma-- in the Pacific Northwest where we are having freezing nights,
some freezing rain, and howling winds.