I've been tempted with Art Clay Silver for a good while now and finally ordered a beginners kit to start with.
I've noticed the Fimo Basic Bead Machines, and wondered if I could use this to make beads with the art clay silver?
I'm hoping to mainly make Focal pendants, but thought I could use one of these to make beads to go with along with the focal pendants.

Thanks in advance Karen

Hi Karen,

I have just received my first kit (me too beginner with PMC ).

I believe you can use the bead machines as I have seen a few sites selling them for this use. But from my own knowledge, should you have a roller that you previously used with fimo/sculpey, then you have to be particualy careful that its truly clean, as any slight remnants of fimo will contaminate the pmc.

Cheers,

Louise

Thank You Louise,

I can see I'm going to get addicted to this ,

off to do some more shopping

Karen

Before you go shopping here are a couple of money saving tips.

Use playing cards in place of spacer bars -
CD Cases can be used to roll a snake of clay.
Teflon sheet in place of a work mat.

Hair drier to assist in drying the clay.
The bits you peel of a plaster make an interesting texture sheet.


Jenny

Hi again,

Another really useful sundry which I think is ideal for making pendants is silicone mould compound. The cheapest I have found is via the link below:

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Louise

Well, I'm a beginner too but I think Art Clay beads made with a fimo bead maker would be very expensive because they are solid. Silver clay beads are usually made around a cork former and the cork burns away leaving a hollow bead - haven't tried it yet as I have only just bought the cork..

Mind you - I am no expert!!

Sandra

Hi, just to chip in!! I use the bead roller to shape cork clay, then cover the dried cork clay with metal clay to create a hollow silver bead. Works great - lovely shapes, the same everytime!!

Rebecca

I agree with the above comment & agree somewhat that it will use quite a bit of clay rolling out a bead of pure PMC, depending on size, shape etc, but that is down to individual preference, as I have seen & bought some really inferior beads using the hollow method via cork or better still 'wood clay' then forming the PMC around it, but I really believe that if you are going to offer 'superior quality' then don't offer hollow formed beads! But keep each bead under the assay office hallmark regs!

Just my opinion of course

Louise

The problem with metal clay (and many other crafts!!) is that there are people selling work who are not experienced enough to get a good finish.

If you get a well made hollow bead then there shouldn't be any problems with strength etc. If you start making larger focals (like most of mine are) they're only just under the hallmarking weight and that's hollow!

Best of luck however you decide to go, I'm always happy to help if you need it!

Rebecca

Another thing that you can use to shape hollow beads around is breakfast cereal.

The golden nuggett type ones.

You need to thinly coat the cereal with PVA glue first.

One advantage of these are that they can be fired on a gas stove, where as cork clay needs to be fired in a kiln. Although I have heard of people firing core clay with a torch but you need to do it outside.

Jenny

Some great Art Clay tips everyone!

You are making me want to get my silver clay out again and wah - I can't, I have so much other stuff to be getting on with right now.

Emma

Yes I was. It was good fun.

I like your lentil beads Rebecca.

Jenny