Now that my polymer clay pebble beads are finished, I’m working on a collection of bronze metal clay beads to match. I’m just giving them a bit of supple carving before a final swipe with a sanding board. Then it’s into the kiln! Although I only plan to use three of these beads in my necklace, I’ve made extras because I’m never certain of how a firing will go when using bronze metal clay. Once in the kiln, it has proven to be far more temperamental than fine silver metal clay – at least, that’s been my experience. Often a firing of several pieces will render different results. Most fire beautifully, but there is the occasional bead that will crack or under fire. A lot depends on the placement of a piece in the charcoal, the ebb and flow of temperature as the kiln cycles, the thickness of a piece, etc., and the whim of the kiln gods. Perhaps if I were to make a shrine and present a sacrifice of some sort, the kiln gods would look upon me with favor and grant me the assurance that when I open the door and unload the firing chamber, each and every piece would be perfect! You think?
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