recycling unfired clay

[firefly]

I am new at this,matter of fact I haven't made my first piece yet...butttt I am the type of person to read everything first before trying something. Your forum has been very helpful.

Anyway on to my question. I have been reading a book that talks about saving every speck of dust from the unfired clay. After it has dried you can reuse it? Call me confused. Do you just add water and it softens again for later usage?

Thanks

[Russ Nobbs]

Hi there, thanks for joining us!

Quick answer: Yes!

You can put it in a small container with water to make a paste (like overlay paste) or use much less water to just keep it softened. I think Kurt (Metalman) talks about this in one of his earlier posts. I'll try to find it and post the link.

The bottom line is always save every speck. It is silver, after all.

[firefly]

Thanks for the answer so quickly. Hopefully I will be able to get my hands dirty and start my first piece soon. I have to say I am a little scared and that might be holding me back. I don't want to mess up.

[Russ Nobbs]

Most of us call "messing up" a learning experience. 

[firefly]

Not for $30 a pop, I don't. haha

[Polly]

You can get wonderful results with metal clays, but they are a little tricky at first, and the manufacturers strongly recommend taking one or more classes.  The products originated in Japan, and at first (even in the U.S.) you could only purchase them if you took a class, but since we Americans generally aren't as enthusiastic about becoming apprentices and learning all our techniques from a master, there are now a number of good books and DVDs out about Art Clay Silver and the whole metal clay product range.  
Taking a class or picking up 1 or 2 of these books is actually a great investment, and can save you a lot of frustration. The beginner's book about Art Clay Silver takes you through all the basic ACS techniques, and then Creative Metal Clay Jewelry by CeCe Wire and Metal Clay: The Complete Guide – Innovative Techniques to Inspire Any Artist by Jackie Truty are excellent for the next step.  
And Kurt's tips on this forum fill in the gaps!

(edited to fix link)

[firefly]

I made my first two pieces..not without some hiccups I might add. ANd I am ready to fire. Hope I don't melt them. 

[Polly]

  I hope they fire perfectly!

[firefly]

Thanks so much. And thanks for making me feel so welcome. 

[mama3]

Hi.  I am new to this forum.  I have just started using Artclay slow dry.  I am trying to get smooth, mirror finish pieces.  I haven't had a problem using the fresh clay that is right out of the package.  But when I try to use the leftover, unfired clay it doesn't seem to be working well.  I have spritzed it with water, kneaded well and it seems to roll out nicely.  The problem starts once I cut it to the shape I want it seems to only take a few seconds and it starts to make small cracks all over the surface.   The weird thing is that it doesn't seem dry while I am rolling it.  Does anyone have any idea's what I could be doing wrong?

Thanks for your time!

[firefly]

I fired my pieces and it worked like a charm. I never did see that salmon color eveyone keeps talking about but I guess I estimated the time correctly. Is there a place to show the work I have done on here. Just to say "hey look, see what I did?"

[daverobertson]

Hi firefly!

I'm glad this worked out so well for you.

At the risk of drawing people away from this forum for a moment, can I suggest uploading pictures to the "fan photos" at R&T's "Bead Fans" page?

--Dave
at R&T

[Metalman]

Hi.  I am new to this forum.  I have just started using Artclay slow dry.  I am trying to get smooth, mirror finish pieces.  I haven't had a problem using the fresh clay that is right out of the package.  But when I try to use the leftover, unfired clay it doesn't seem to be working well.  I have spritzed it with water, kneaded well and it seems to roll out nicely.  The problem starts once I cut it to the shape I want it seems to only take a few seconds and it starts to make small cracks all over the surface.   The weird thing is that it doesn't seem dry while I am rolling it.  Does anyone have any idea's what I could be doing wrong?

Hard to tell. When I work with the clay - I open the fresh pack - pull or break off about the amount I need and immediately wrap the remainder in a small square of plastic and seal it into a tight container with a moistened bit of sponge or paper towel in it. This will keep well until I need it next time [as long as I keep the sponge or towel moist this can keep for 6 to 8 months. Slow dry is a little different - you need to not let you extra clay dry out - I am also under the impression that you should not mix Slow Dry scrap with regular clay scrap. You can build Slow Dry and Regular Clay and fire them just fine