Learn about COPPRclay and BRONZclay!

There is a buzz, nearly a roar, to be heard these days. Artists are excitedly talking on the internet, at guild meetings and at trade exhibitions. The subject? BronzClay™! Created by chemist Bill Struve of Metal Adventures, BronzClay will add a whole new element to jewelry makers, artists and sculptors. This new product is available here at New Mexico Clay.   Click Here to Buy  

Price 200 gram  Price 100 gram

Read all about it download our free BronzClay guide. or the COPPRclay guide. Welcome to the next step in the evolution of metal clay: BRONZclay™! BRONZclay provides an incredible artistic range. And, because it’s bronze, it’s so affordable, it can be used to sculpt large pieces and create specialized tools—it can even be thrown on a potter’s wheel to shape bronze hollowware. Available in generous 100- and 200-gram blocks, BRONZclay allows the artist to experiment with how far (and big!) designs can go. BRONZclay can be pinched, rolled, sculpted, and manipulated. In its dried state, it’s still highly flexible and easy to carve—an ideal canvas for applying details and finishing touches prior to firing. When fired in a kiln (See below), the binder vaporizes, leaving a solid, pure bronze object that can be sawn, shaped, drilled, sanded, patinaed or soldered using traditional jewelry tools and techniques. This exciting medium offers a new world of possibilities for jewelry-makers, artists and sculptors.   Description: Here is what we know, It is made from bronze powder and a binder or gum and water. BronzClay is fired in a sealed vessel, surrounded by activated charcoal protected from oxygen, it is fired to 1550F and held for 3 hours. After firing it looks like (I don't know kind or rainbow-ey) and can be polished and patinated like all bronze.

Firing BronzClay

You will need to dry your BRONZclay™ piece thoroughly before firing to prevent moisture in the clay from expanding and creating defects during firing.

To dry the piece, gently place it on a warming surface such as a coffee mug warmer or a vegetable dehydrator.

When dry, the clay will be leather-hard, making it flexible and amenable to finishing touches such as filing, drilling, sanding and carving. After firing, this work is more time-consuming, so take advantage of this pre-fired stage to do as much of your detailed finishing work as possible.

To reduce oxidation, the BRONZclay™ piece(s) must be surrounded by activated carbon during firing. The coconut shell–based carbon produces a natural bronze (terra cotta) color; the coal-based, acid-washed carbon   produces a colorful range of patinas.

To Fire BRONZclay™:

1) Spread 1" of activated carbon granules on the bottom of a stainless steel firing pan

2) Place the piece on top of the layer; if firing two or more pieces, leave at least 1/2" between pieces; leave more if the pieces are larger.

Note: Most kilns are cooler in the front near the door, so the front of your firing pan will be cooler than the back

and sides. Compensate for this by placing pieces closer to the sides and back of the firing container. If you’re using a top-loading kiln, there’s no need to adjust.

3) Pour more activated carbon granules on top of the piece until the container is full, making sure there is at least a 1/2" layer of granules on top of the piece. If you are firing several pieces in layers, make sure there is at least 1/2" of space between the vertical layers as well.

4) Cover the firing pan with its lid and place it in the kiln on stilts to allow good heat circulation.

Warning! The firing pan will be extremely hot; do not touch! Allow the pan to cool completely before removing the lid. We recommend wearing heat-resistant gloves  welding gloves  while removing the firing pan.

5) The firing pan should be allowed to cool completely before removing it from the kiln; however, if you need to use your kiln again right away, you can move the pan to a heat-resistant surface (e.g.: a soldering pad or ceramic tile) and allow it to cool there.

6) Once the firing pan and carbon have cooled, remove the BRONZclay™ pieces from the carbon bed and place them on a heat-resistant surface to finish cooling. You can re-use the activated carbon until you notice it starting to break down (broken grains and a sooty appearance). Note: If there are no stones embedded in the piece, it can be quenched in water.