Important Tools for PMC

I recently took a PMC (precious metal clay) class. It was not my first experience with the medium and it will not be my last. I have begun collecting tools and supplies to be able to work with this medium on my own. In doing so, I have begun a list of the tools and supplies I like the most and the reasons why. Many of these items are not traditional tools but repurposed items. They work great and cost less.

Playing cards

While you can buy thickness slats, playing cards do the trick quite well and cost a lot less. Costing less is a great incentive in my book. You basically roll out the silver clay to a three-card thickness for most applications. You can begin with five or four card thickness if you are going to press a texture into the rolled out clay.

Texture plates

I absolutely love texture on the silver clay. There are a number of ways to achieve texture. Having a variety of texture plates in both plastic and brass are definitely necessary for my craft making. You can also buy a compound that allows you to create your own texture plates or molds from virtually any surface.

Small Palette Knife

If I were stranded on a remote island and could only have one craft tool.... You get the idea. I love this little tool. I am attracted to its small size. I use it for a lot of things but I always use it to lift the clay from my work surface at some point.

Shape cutters

I love the little cookie cutter type of clay cutters. They make the work of creating a shape so much quicker as well as being able to duplicate the same shape over again.

Butane Torch

This tool is used to fire the clay, making this process more affordable and quick too. Otherwise, you need to purchase a kiln to fire your work in. Kilns begin around three hundred dollars and go up from there making my twenty-five dollar torch a real bargain!

Sketchbook

I can't create without sketching down my ideas. I draw, I write, and I plan out on paper. Writing notes to myself; and ideas help me with the creative process. I carry a small notebook with me in my purse and sketch ideas whenever they come to me.

Straws

These are great for making a variety of hole sizes. Straws are also great to wrap around to make coil shapes. They can also be used as a support for necklace bales.

PVC pipe

Using a small length of PVC pipe from the hardware store works as a great rolling tool. I bought a clear acrylic rod for a dollar that functions in the same manner.

Thick piece of acrylic

This works great to roll out a consistent length or snake shape of clay. You may find a scrap piece of acrylic if you are lucky to know someone that works with acrylics. However, the plastic box the deck of cards came in works great or a CD jewel case can also work in the same way.

Emory Board

A basic cardboard nail file. I also have a variety of sand papers and nail buffers for sanding down the clay before firing. I just learned that a baby wipe also works wonders to smooth out edges and surfaces.

I have other tools and will continue to collect more as I go. However, this list is a beginning to my favorite tools and ones I would be hard pressed to create something without them in hand. They are in no particular order.