Basic Metal-Clay-Tools You Need to Get You Started Creating Metal Clay Jewelry

This is a list of basic metal-clay-tools you need to get started:

• Underlay - to use as a work area. Teflon based cookie sheet work very well. I purchased mine form William Sonoma.


• A craft knife – This metal-clay-tool is used to cut the metal clay when soft. Michael’s has different basic knives in the clay section. I have at least three handy at all times.


• Saran Wrap – You will use this quiet a lot for both covering unused clay and when kneading the clay.


• Roller – You can purchase and acrylic roller or use a PVC roller (home depot can cut a PVC pipe for you.)


• Different size paint brushes – You will need brushes to paint metal clay paste or to incorporate intricate designs into your jewelry. Experiment and keep trying different brushes. I bought a set of inexpensive brushes at Michael’s and once I had my favorite sizes I splurged for more expensive ones.


• Plastic container – A tightly close container can help you keep your paste from drying, this is a key metal-clay-tool to have.


• File – Used to file the jewelry piece once it has dried. I keep different sizes and grids in my metal-clay-tool box. Experience will tell you which files work best for the different projects.


• Stainless steel brush in different sizes – Use it after firing to create a silver touch to your pieces. I use it under running water.


• Burnisher – Rubbing the surface of the jewelry piece after firing creates a mirror like surface. I use an agate burnisher, it is gentler on the piece and does not scratch it.


• Tweezers - To hold small parts, metal findings or synthetic stones.


• Clay thickness rolling frames – This is a new metal-clay-tool that helps you measure the thickness of each jewelry piece. They are available at Cool Tools


• Water bottle – keep this handy for when you need to ad water to paste.


• Small plastic spray water – Use it to spray the metal in order to keep it moist and workable.


• Sandpaper – You will use this to give your jewelry a more polished look. I have different grids starting at 400 and going all the way to 1200.


• Rubber bench block – very helpful when filing and dry assembly. I keep mine on a plastic container to catch all the dust when I file. I use the dust to make paste.


• Textures – These are the fun part of metal clay. You can purchase textures from metal clay supply companies, craft stores or be creative and make your own.


• Badger balm – use it in your hands to keep the clay from sticking. The added benefit is that you will always have soft hands.


• Wenol - It is a great metal polisher that gives your jewelry a mirror surface. You can purchase it from the metal clay supply companies.


• Small clay pot and clay plate - I use this to keep clay moist while I am working with it. I spray the clay and wrap it in Saran wrap, I then place the wrapped metal clay in the wet clay pot.

To learn how to fire metal clay read this informative article from silver-clay, it will give you a better idea on how to fire your pieces.

I own a kiln, I find it to be the easiest way to fire many pieces at once.

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