PMC and Art Clay Silver

Money saving tips:

• To keep your PMC clay fresh for a week by always putting left overs back into the plastic and reseal the packet with the addition of a few drops of water.
• PMC syringe will keep for weeks after opening if kept in an egg cup of water. always wipe the end before using again to get rid of watery clay. 
• Save bits of hard clay  and crush with a pestle and morter to a fine powder. This can then be reconstituted with a few drops of water to make slip.
• Use kemper cutters for any tiny bits of rolled clay left over. These tiny shapes can be used for decoration on a other projects.
• Tiny bits of left over clay roll into balls and use as decoration
• Use smaller size packets of clay unless you are going touse it all on at once a large project

 Technical tips:

• Always have water and a paint brush to hand to keep the clay moist.
• Use a pallet knife or tissue blade for lifting onto teflon sheets from rolling mat to avoid marking with fingernails.
• If possible work on a ceramic tile to avoid moving wet pieces. This will help them to dry flat but does take longer
• Work with the clay as soon as it is out of the packet and ensure any surplus bits are put back into the packet with a few drops of water to keep moist.
• Have all tools, texture mats and cutters ready to hand before rolling out the clay.
• Keep all surfaces dust free and don't wear a fluffy jumper when working with PMC as it is difficult to pick out hairs and tiny pieces of dust. These will fire away in the kiln but will leave marks on the silver.
• Use a small plastic food storage container upside with a wet sponge inside and place upside down on a tile to keep clay moist when working. This saves time having to put left over clay back into the packet when  needing to work quickly.
• Always use fresh clay when making rings and keepsake jewellery to avoid cracking.
• You can use reconstituted clay on textured pieces as any small flaws will not be easily noticed.
• to reconsitute dry clay add a few drops of water, squash onto a  brass texture mat and massage. This will get rid of any cracks and then you can re roll the clay. 

Copper and Bronze Clays

There are many different brands of these cheaper clays but they all require different firing schedules. Some fire in charcol Some in paper towel and others in fibre blanket. Each has its own temperature range and time. Its very complicated to list but my best advise would be to follow the instructions on the packet to the letter. In case of Hadars powdered clays you need to download the instructions from her website as you don't get any when you buy the products. I have had very mixed results with these cheaper clays and found that with the extra time, effort and electricity involved in making something they are not as cheap as first thought. My favorite of them all is the Promethus bronze as it fires at a low temp for a short time and has a nice colour when polished.

Business and Marketing Tips

• Always record your all costs and keep good records and save all receipts.
• Register your business for tax and NI within 3 months of start trading or you are breaking the law.
• Go to one of the tax courses run by HMRC they will show you how to fill in your tax forms, keep you legal and save you money. Yes its true!
• Register with an Assay office and get your work hallmarked if it is silver over 7.7grms to keep withing the UK law
• Get yourself a corporate identity. Logo business cards postcards and website all to match. this will help you to be recognised when advertising in magasines etc.
• Try to buy raw materials and packaging in bulk and negociate a good trade price.
• Keep a database of clients (with their permission) so you can contact them when you introduce new product lines