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You can use PMC®
in just about any stable, well-lit area; a table or desk is ideal.
A sheet plastic or a kitchenware lid makes a convenient work surface
that allows you to rotate the work easily. Avoid using cardboard
because it will draw water out of the clay and stiffen it. For this
same reason, avoid working in a draft from a heater, air conditioner
or fan.
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A thin film
of olive oil on your fingers prevents the PMC from sticking
to the skin and seals the surface against dehydration. Other
useful tools are a plastic rolling pin (such as a piece of
PVC pipe), a razor knife and a small burnisher.
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Various pencil-like tools can be devised from toothpicks, skewers,
chopsticks, popsicle sticks and scribes. You might find yourself
collecting bits of fabric, plastic and wood to take advantage
of PMC's wonderful ability to pick up textures. |
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Firing
PMC can be
fired in any furnace that will sustain the required temperature
with reasonable stability. Almost any kiln with a pyrometer,
like those used for burnout or enameling, will work. The kiln
should be located away from combustible surfaces and plugged
into a properly wired socket so that its cord cannot be snagged
or tripped over. It's helpful to have work gloves, long-handled
tongs and a heat-resistant surface (like a brick) in front
of the kiln to set work on when it comes out of the kiln.
Cherokee Enterprises sells a programmable kiln that maintains
a selected temperature for a set length of time, then shuts
off automatically. Though not essential for success with PMC,
this unit is designed specifically for silver clay and makes
the firing process as foolproof as the modeling.
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