Breaking the Ice: Kiln Firing by Holly Gage

After all the excitement of creating your Silver Metal Clay project, it’s time to sinter the metal into a beautiful piece of fine jewelry. To transform your creation from fragile greenware to a usable object, it will need to be fired at high temperatures. Kiln firing can open up a whole new world of creativity, allowing for large, more complicated items, enamels, and other heat-treated techniques.
• What You Can Expect and What Pieces Qualify When Kiln Firing.
• Kiln Set Up.
• Kiln Process for an Open Shelf or Open Air Firing.
• Selecting and Setting the Program to Run Your Kiln.
• Firing Flat and Dimensional items.
• Kiln Firing, Sintering, and Silver Metal Clay Basics.
• Firing PMC 925 Sterling Silver Metal Clay in Carbon
• Troubleshooting
You'll also want the tutorial which covers additional information about running your kiln: www.hollygage....
Also, see my blog posts:
How Do I Know If My Metal Clay Kiln Is Running Hot And How To Fix It? by Holly Gage
www.hollygage....
Successful Post-Fired Metal Clay Connections
www.hollygage....
Holly's Metal Clay Tips, Techniques
www.hollygage.... tutorials
Holly Gage of Gage Designs is a 2015 Saul Bell Design winner recognized for distinction in jewelry design. She creates contemporary jewelry and teaches her unique techniques with a gentle blend of design instruction and technical proficiency. Holly brings her innovation, creativity, and gift of helping others find their artistic voice through classes, mentoring programs, and master workshops. Classes are available live Online, throughout the US, and abroad. She is a full-time jewelry artist, Certified Metal Clay Instructor, author, and conference speaker. In addition, Holly holds a BS in Fine Art and Education. Her jewelry and articles on techniques and design can be found in over 75 regional and national publications including the Best of America Jewelry Artists; Named 3rd in Handmade Business: Top 12 Makers, Movers, and Shakers; Metal Clay Today; Art Jewelry and Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist; Making Jewellery: among others. You can find more information about Holly’s jewelry, classes, and awards, along with numerous Metal Clay tips, tutorials, and blog on her web site at www.HollyGage.com

[@bluestormknight]

awesome , thank so much for taking the time to share this

[@gagedesigns]

Enjoy your new obsession

[@peteredwards2371]

Just starting out and you are just what I needed 👍😊

[@gagedesigns]

Oh great! This is an addictive craft with a great community of support.

[@gagedesigns]

Awesome!!!!

[@c.nichols2825]

It is so intimidating! Thank you for providing this.

[@gagedesigns]

Just start out with a small test piece before you do the masterpiece, you will be fine.

[@muddymindi]

Question? If I’m using easy 960 clay. Do I set the piece in while it’s heating up or do I put it in at the Designated temperature? Thanks for the wonderful video it’s really help me out a lot!

[@gagedesigns]

I'm glad the video was helpful!! You would put it in cold.

[@wcc101662]

I just today worked up the courage to fire a PMC EZ960 piece in my Tabletop kiln. I put it in vermiculite in a stainless steel container (no top) because I didn’t have a bowl like yours. I put it on a shelf in the kiln, closed the door and set it on 1675. I set a timer for 2 hours and when it was finished it was shriveled, burned and in 6-7 unrecognizable black pieces. What did I do wrong?? 😥😥 thanks for any help you can give.

[@gagedesigns]

Wendy, it sounds like your kiln is not firing at an accurate temperature and overfired the pieces. What kiln it is?