Does anybody in this forum use gold or gold-like powder? I need a
combination of adhesive, powder and coating for covering clay pieces
with gold trim. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Melvi
Melvi, Have you looked into Precious Metal Clay. Call Rio Grande
1-800-545-6566. I think it’s in their Gems and Findings catelog.
Melvi, If you want to fire the ceramic pieces, I have used a
commercial product containing 24K gold and comes in liquid form. It
is painted on with a brush. This goes over glaze and is the final
fire; as I remember, this last firing is a different temperature from
regular glaze fire. Any supplier of ceramic glazes and slips should
have this stuff - it’s pretty pricey, but lasts and lasts. Another
option is Precious Metal Clay (PMC) applied as a slip. I’ve not done
this, but you can find out more about this product at their website
www.pmclay.com. Again you are buying 24K and it’s going to cost you.
If you don’t want to fire the piece, I think your best option is
gold leaf. Instructions for its application are available at the
craft store where you buy the leaf. Hope this helps. I really enjoy
everyone’s contributions Judymw
Judy M. Willingham, Consumer Pollution Prevention Specialist 237
Seaton Hall Kansas State University Manhattan KS 66506
(785)532-5418 FAX (785) 532-6944
Melvi, I agree with Judy’s advice. To add: I’ve also used the gold
lustre in my studio. It gets fired at cone 022 or 023 (not 22 or
23!). Also, since the cones used to fire at this low rate usually
have lead in them, it’s best to have a pyrometer in your kiln to
gauge the temperature and also have a good venting system, like
EnviroVent. Contact the companies selling the lustres to ask them,
once the kiln has reached temperature, how long to “soak” the piece
in the kiln at that temperature until you bring it down orhave it
turn off. Different kilns may have different “soaking” times. The
lustres do look great, as Judy said, so good luck and have fun!
-Madeline at the Arts Umbrella Studio of Fine Arts
Dear Judy,
Thanks for the suggestion. I will certainly look into it for my own
personal hobby.
However right now I’m looking for new technologies that can be
exported to my own native city of Cebu in the Philippines. Over there
we have about 2,000 small family run handicraft businesses that do
cheap handmade costume jewelry, mostly out of natural materials. We’ve
been using all sorts of gold powder to add sparle to our products, but
the shine doesn’t last.
Hardly anyone of them can afford to buy a kiln, and neither can our
market afford anything priced in the real gold realm. I thought our
best bet would be to look for a lacquer or varnish that will give it
longer lasting protection. I’m sure there must be such things around,
and I’m doing more research on it. If anyone in this forum knows
anything that is not a trade secret, I’d really appreciate the tip.
Maybe I’m also not in the right forum as my interest right now is
more on the low end side of costume jewelry. If anybody knows other
groups that are more suited for my purposes, I’d appreciate tips on
that too. I still will stick around here though cause the people in
this forum are truly nice, unselfish and so helpful.
Regards,
Melvi