BronzeMetalClay_Cleanup I have to refine the holes and smooth edges. It’s dusty, dirty, time-consuming work, but essential to the quality of the finished product. After I’ve done all of this, I’ll place them in a stainless steel chamber on a bed of activated charcoal, carefully spacing each piece one-half inch away from its neighbor and placing a half-inch of activated charcoal between layers of the metal clay pieces. BronzClay_Firing Then into the kiln it will go to be fired, which will take between four and five hours. Once cooled, the fired pieces will be rinsed and placed in a jeweler’s tumbler for several hours where they will go round and round until they reach a rich golden hue. Tide Pool Cuff - Step 13 copy It’s always a wonder to see the transformation and better still when added to a beaded cuff! The bronze shells used in this piece were dipped into an oxidation bath to tone down the bright bronze and give it an antique effect. This photo shows a step from my “Tide Pool” cuff tutorial.