Can Art Clay Copper be torch fired? Yep!

Are you looking for a cheaper metal clay to practice with before working with silver clay? Here I share my initial experiments in shaping, finishing and firing pieces in Art Clay Copper. It's a lovely material that can be torch fired, with some caveats. This isn't an *easy* material to work with, but it is relatively low cost and therefore ideal for learning how to shape and join elements at the small jewelry scale.

Where to get supplies [affiliate links]:

This video doesn't touch on polishing or anything past the scope of initial shaping and firing experimentation.

[degucitas]

Those vintage 70's-80's coffee mug heaters are so handy for crafting. I use mine for so many things: melting lipsticks (in a metal cup) for rebatching, "brewing" vanilla extract (vodka+vanilla pods in closed mason jar). So many possibilities.

[ashleyszyszkowskiashspract]

You are an amazing teacher! I just received my first pack of copper clay in the mail today. I don’t have a kiln, but I have a torch. Thank you for making this video:)

[SHRUGGiExyz]

I suspect the issue you ran into with reconstituting your clay could be due to the inclusion of tiny amounts of dissolved minerals found in tap/bottled water. These minerals likely wont burn out and would leave a microscopic sprinkling of mineral particles inside the piece, which could definitely cause structural issues. Try using distilled water and see if you get better results!
You may also want to try using a pair of tight fitting rubber gloves, as oils from your hands could be getting into and impacting the clay.
Finally, with copper specifically, since it does oxidize plenty compared to silver, I would suggest either clear coating finished pieces so they dont leave your skin green. You might also be able to get a lovely bright-silver result with a simple nickel plating bath, which is much more tarnish resistant than bare copper.

Overall, great video demonstrating this material as compared to silver clay!

[eclectic.designs-art]

What an absolutely fantastic video. So comprehensive and as I only have a torch and no kiln you've inspired me to have a go with copper before I use the silver clay I have. I might do a test too with my bigger Rothenberger blow torch also. Thanks so much.

[Handmadefrog]

This was so thorough I’m just sitting here stunned. They came out gorgeous. Tomorrow I’ll check out what else you make but thanks this is my first video on Art Clay 🥰

[Phoenixbooth]

This is so absolutely helpful!! Thank you!! Glad to watch your long form content!!

[whatevernamegoeshere]

19:32 That is the same oxide thickness rainbow you get from iron too :D
You can actually tell the temperature from that accurate to right around 5-50C depending on the colour. The purple is only like a 3-5 degrees window
Also I have never heard of metal sinter clays before, it was really exciting to watch!

[petitflacheur]

You saved my life, copper or bronze clay is much complicated to use than silver. Without you i would not find ideas and solutions to beter use this clay

[AndrewAhlfield]

This is a wonderful and delightfully insightful video! I enjoyed your discussion of the subtleties even though I'm just a casual watcher and not in this space. :D

[LurkingCrassZero]

Interesting to see your experimentation. I would have made a series of simple, ever decreasing sausage shapes or rings even, to see how small you can push the material and how much shrinkage occurs.

[mog]

Thank you for this video, can I use this clay to cover holes in bronze sculptures?

[bluejin]

Thanks 🙏🏻 for all the wonderful information ℹ️💜💜💜💜🩶🩶🩶

[kimmie]

Thank you so much for the well explained vid!!! 🌹

[LadyAshendale]

I have a butane torch, but it seems like they recommend you not to make anything bigger than a 50p coin if you're not using a kiln, and it occurred to me that if I wanted to do something bigger (I got given 100g of copper clay, so I'm thinking big lol) maybe I could make thin ish plates of copper with it and then work the pure copper afterwards. What does anyone think about that? Bear in mind I'm no jeweller, just a hobbyist with *some* experience with silver clay and regular clay. Thanks!!

[meredithnavin]

Would you be able to use this clay as a Skinner blend with the silver?

Edit: I do silversmithing and I often use copper.

It has a MUCH higher melting point than silver. I need to use an industrial torch to melt it.

[derekturner]

The reason the torch firing fails is air. Copper and bronze oxidize too much to be reliably torch fired. It's not a heat problem, it's the fact it needs to be burried in carbon to stop the oxidation.

[kristibbradshaw]

Can you fix the cracking? Oh yeah and, thank you so much for the experiment.

[peta_kelly]

I love the mice ❤ what are you sitting the piece on, in the bowl ( in the kiln ) are you able to sit in a kiln shelf ?

[LaineyBug]

Have you thought about trying the same thing with something like JB Weld? I'm curious if it woud hold it's shape...

[degucitas]

To save money on clay, do you think an item could be sculpted from copper clay them covered with a layer of silver clay? Would they fire together?