Firing Art Clay Silver three different ways.

 Check before Firing

If there is any crack or gap on the surface, fill it with paste type. Dry and smooth the surface with sandpaper.

If there is any scratch or finger print left on the surface, apply paste type over it. Dry and smooth the surface with sandpaper.

 Dry completely before Firing

The piece must be completely dried before firing. Dry naturally for more than 24 hours or dry with a hot air dryer for about 10-20 minutes.

To check if the piece is completely dried, place the piece on stainless, glass or plastic plate, pick up the piece after 10-20 seconds. If there is no condensation, it is dry. If the piece is not completely dried, it may break or crack during firing. It is very dangerous to fire non-dried pieces as the moisture inside the clay tries to vaporise and the piece may explode. Make sure the piece is completely DRY!

Art Clay Silver piece can be fired in several ways:

1. Cooking Stove (up to 20 gram)

1. Place the stainless steel net on a gas cooking stove. Then turn on the stove. Watch and mark the most red hot part on the stainless steel net.		2. Turn off the stove once. Place the piece on where the most red-hot part was on the stainless steel net. Cover the piece with the safety protection cage.
3. Turn on the cooking stove again and fire the piece for 5 minutes. You should see a small flame above the piece briefly. Once fired the piece should ony glow red (most visible when the light is turned off). Note that there is no maximum time for firing. The piece will stay as is and not melt.		4. Turn off the cooking stove and cool the piece for 20 minutes. It is possible to speed up cooling by placing the piece with twizzers in cold water. Do not do this if stones are embedded into the clay since the fast cooling can shatter the stone.

2.Kiln

1. It is expected that you have a good knowledge on how to operate your kiln. All you need to do is to adjust the tmperature and heat rate to that of the material used. This information is contained with the clay when purchased.		2. put the piece on a fiber board and into the electric kiln.
3. Fire the piece by keeping the holding time.		4. Take out the piece (on the fibre board), using the kiln tongs. Put it on heat insulating material (a heat resisting brick, a plaster board or a big fiber board) to cool.

3. Gas torch firing

1. Place a fiber board on a fire resistant or kiln brick. Place the piece on the fiber board.		2. Switch on the gas torch and hold it firm. Most torches are adjustable and it is not necessary to have it on the highest setting.		3. Hold the torch and fire the piece evenly. You will see a flame from the piece caused by the burning binder. When the piece turns orange, continue to fire the piece to keep the same orange colour for appropriate firing time (refer to table below). Note that using a torch it is possible to melt the piece so please take care. it is suggested that you do not aim at the piece continuously but move the flame from on side to the other to heat the piece evenly and reduce the risk of sudden melting.

 Art Clay Silver 650 firing information