Newbie wanting advice

[Zoe]

Hi,

I am new to jewellery making and very keen to try Art Clay silver after seeing some great inspiration. My problem is I don't have a gas hob, kiln, or torch. I'm apprehensive about using a torch as has never used one before. I read that you can use a BBQ, forgive me if this is a silly question (like I said I'm new to all of this!) but would a disposable one that usings charcol work in the same way?

Any help you can give would be great.

Thank you

Zoe

[Polly]

I believe that charcoal is a very "dirty" method of producing heat -- you will get lots of icky stuff on your metal.

You're much better off using a creme brulee torch (yes, the yummy dessert), like this butane torch. They are quite widely available at kitchen shops, if you can't find a metal clay supplier in your area who sells them. 

We're, of course, happy to ship to you as well -- but heavy items like this torch get expensive shipped internationally.

[Metalman]

Zoe,

I am pretty confident that a charcoal grill will not have the heat needed for the Art Clay SIlver. As well as having other complications due to the materials, etc.  You can/could work things out on a propane grill or on a camp stove.
Where are you located?  I am reasonably confident we can find you an instructor near by.  I do generally feel that at least a 1/2 day introductory class would be worth your while.

Let me know how its going and how I can help further.
Kurt

[thelorax]

 

I am pretty confident that a charcoal grill will not have the heat needed for the Art Clay SIlver. As well as having other complications due to the materials, etc.  You can/could work things out on a propane grill or on a camp stove.

Yeah, you shouldn't use a charcoal grill, even if the heat is enough, you don't want the smoke that charcoal creates. If you're gonna use any grill, it should be an infrared grill, which (if it's clean) won't produce so much smoke. I think you will be much better off using a torch though. Plus, the torch is 200x cheaper 

The idea of the torch might be scary, but it's pretty safe (considering it's a torch) & easy to use - you will get used to it quickly.

[Luann Udell]

Chiming in as a person who has a hard time mastering new tools & equipment (let me introduce you to my earring jigs and soldering stations), a micro torch is extremely easy to use.  If you can master a cigarette lighter, you can master a torch.    (The teeny-tiny torches that really are the size of a cigarette lighter probably get hot enough, but they just don't hold enough fuel to get anything done.)

These micro torches are the ones just under 6" tall; you can buy at the hardware store, kitchen supply stores, big box stores with hardware departments.  I have several, including one from Rings & Things--I know they always offer the best of anything they're going to sell.  But I also found one at T.J. Maxx for $14, in the cooking section.  They all work great!  (I have to buy multiples because I'm always losing things.)  Buy one with a slightly-larger flat base that acts as a stand, I bought mine before they came with that feature & my torch always falls over when I set it down.  The wider base makes it easier to set down & safer.

I took one class on metal clay, take Metalman's offer to find you a class.  It's worth every penny!  You'll get to try lots of different stuff and figure out what techniques you want to focus on and the minimum equipment you need to get started.  You'll SAVE by eliminating a lot of expensive trial and error (buying stuff that isn't quite what you need, or more expensive than necessary, etc.)

Hope this helps,
Luann