As many of you know, I've spent countless hours...and money on a certain brand of metal clays. I love the ideas of working in steel and white bronze clays.
Yesterday, when firing some Metal Adventures bronze clay--I'd thought it was copper, it was so dark in color, but I was wrong--it was bronze--I threw in a piece of mixed metal clays (of the other brand--copper and bronze--and fired it with Judi Weers schedule. It fired beautifully. Thank you, again, Judi for all of your help.
So...I'm thinking, maybe fire in a metal container, covered and see how it goes. Fired twice (with one prefire) and the first time out of the second firing I got, again, potato chips (break like unfired clay!) So, I upped the temperature in my kiln and waited another two hours. Just took the first piece out and it looked scintered, so broke it in half with my fingers--just like a burned potato chip!
I've spent a LOT of time on my birdie and my cala lily, so, I am going to try ONE MORE TIME. Following the suggested schedule for the white bronze clay--using the manufacturer's suggested fiber firing container (the one that goes through carbon like crazy!!!!)...before I throw these pieces, and this brand of clay out--for good! Pray for me!
Yesterday, when firing some Metal Adventures bronze clay--I'd thought it was copper, it was so dark in color, but I was wrong--it was bronze--I threw in a piece of mixed metal clays (of the other brand--copper and bronze--and fired it with Judi Weers schedule. It fired beautifully. Thank you, again, Judi for all of your help.
So...I'm thinking, maybe fire in a metal container, covered and see how it goes. Fired twice (with one prefire) and the first time out of the second firing I got, again, potato chips (break like unfired clay!) So, I upped the temperature in my kiln and waited another two hours. Just took the first piece out and it looked scintered, so broke it in half with my fingers--just like a burned potato chip!
I've spent a LOT of time on my birdie and my cala lily, so, I am going to try ONE MORE TIME. Following the suggested schedule for the white bronze clay--using the manufacturer's suggested fiber firing container (the one that goes through carbon like crazy!!!!)...before I throw these pieces, and this brand of clay out--for good! Pray for me!
Susan - I have found that if you follow the firing schedule for that certain brand but lower the temps 30 degrees, everything fires fine. One caveat though, I have had problems with carbon from every company but Whole Lotta Whimsy. Try changing your carbon first.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps. Tammi/My Brown Wren