Hi, my name is Jessica. I am a silversmith, jeweller, designer & teacher. Originally from the UK, I now live and work in the heart of the Cognac region of France with my husband and three whippets. I try to inspire and entertain people from all around the world with my videos created in the old forge of the historic French Château we are restoring and now call home.
I suppose it’s because it has to be air-tight to stay fresh. It does come in a resealable outer packet but it needs more than that to stop it drying out
But the molding compound once dried cannot be refigured if you aren’t happy with what the prototype shows. Correct? It needs to be thrown out at that point?
Unfortunately yes, once it has ‘gone off’ you’ll have to make a new one if you’re not happy with the outcome. Even if it’s not right for this project it’s always worth hanging onto them though as you may find you can use it for another piece another time!
Thanks so much! Join our makers tribe and pick up your free essential guide to silver clay here: www.cognacjewelleryschool.com/mailing-list-signup - have a lovely weekend!
this is so cool! how do you make sure that you don’t hurt yourself with the mallet (for a beginner)? i’m sure you’re better at staying safe because of experience, but i was wondering how a beginner would? (sorry for the bad english, it isn’t my first language haha)
Thank you! Your English is perfect! And thank you for your question. It does take practice (I have hit my fingers more than once!) but you can buy leather covers for your fingers which protects them a bit if you accidentally miss with your hammer. Ultimately though, you just have to try and keep them as far away from the hammer as possible (under the mandrel) and go gently when you are learning until you have confidence. Luckily the rawhide mallet isn’t as painful as a metal hammer! 😅😖
Thanks for asking! It’s called Siligum - it’s a two part silicone moulding compound. It’s not heat resistant so it’s just used for moulds for the silver clay, not molten metal
Amazing art. Thank you for sharing with us :-) for the solder part: are the circle part in silver 999? Could be made with suppliers made of silver 925? Thanks 🌸
I’ve always loved silver clay, I had the fortune of working with it since I was a baby because my mother was the head of the distribution branch in my city, even if we’re a smaller company that’s now branching out to stay afloat. There’s a new kind of silver clay releasing called Morin by Nitto and I’ve been looking into more silver clay ideas, so it’s nice to see there’s many people enjoying silver clay as a craft item!
How much is silver clay? Is it as durible? I feel there is a lot of potential for it making mini hand made custom rings and things for friends and such! ^-^ Or is it only good for a pendent
If you cut around the piece with a straight up and down razor blade then put the template around it and gently move it in a circular motion you'll get the circle smooth B) that's just a nipple
