I’m still working on the beaded portion of the “Tide Pool” cuff , but I want the metal clay button ready when I’m finished beading so now it’s time to get that going. Two-part moulding compound is a wonderful material that allows me to make many objects with metal and polymer clays. Equal amounts of the moulding compound are blended together, then an object (in this case, a seashell) is pressed into the compound and left to cure. After approximately twenty minutes, I pop the object out and, Voila! I have a mould that can be used for many impressions. In this photo my silver metal clay is already in the mould and I’ve added a button loop of fine silver. Inside the loop, I’ve inserted a small disc of metal clay that I’ve stamped with my signature. With a final sweep of the brush to clean up and smooth rough edges, I’m almost finished.
I carefully pop the button out of the mould, let it dry thoroughly, and fire it in a kiln. The mould can be used repeatedly. The photo at the right shows more moulds and unfired bronze metal clay seashell buttons and beads. Perhaps I’ll make a batch of polymer clay buttons too! And I can pour resin into the moulds and make colorful seashells to set in bezels. How versatile these moulds are and so much fun!
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