Beads and bead stringing have always enjoyed popularity in creating pieces for personal adornment. In this class the student will learn how to make their own one-of-a-kind Fine Silver beads using an amazing material called Precious Metal Clay (PMC).
PMC is exactly what its name describes—metal, but in the form of clay! The clay body of PMC is made up of microscopic particles of metal, in this case fine silver, held together by an organic binder and water. Like other types of clay, PMC can easily be sculpted, molded and impressed with textures or stamps. The truly unique difference between other clay bodies and PMC is that during firing, PMC’s binders and water burn off allowing the silver particles to fuse into SOLID metal!!
You'll learn 2 methods to create hollow forms or beads: a dry construction technique, as well as forming the PMC around a combustible core that will burn out during the firing process. Due to drying time, pre-made combustible cores will be provided by the instructor.