PMC

If you have a look at the beginners course below one of the first things you will notice is that PMC is not cheap. With our club's instructors discount it works out at about $2.60/gram for bulk PMC. But you only need basic tools and therefore can make items at home with a very minimum investment in tools. And as you will discover you don't need a kiln to fire a piece either.

There is very little waste with PMC as unused clay can be reused, even if it dries out. Then of course there is the flexibility, no sawing, filing or soldering just mould the material using the techniques taught and fire it. Depending on the stones used you can also fire it with the stones already set. The stones used on the course will be CZ"S, Synthetic Rubies and Blue Sapphires, Beryllium Treated Sapphires and a cabochon of Dichroic Glass. If you wish to use your own stones you may, but ensure they are at least MOHS 7 and please check first to ensure they are able to stand the required heat of the Kiln.

After learning the basic techniques, what you make is really up to your imagination. There are a number of books in the library with various projects which you can do. Plus there are new products and techniques being developed for PMC all the time.

What is Precious metal clay?

Beginners PMC Course 

Maximum class size is six.

During this course you will make 3 pieces of jewellery learning everything from product through firing and finishing.

Techniques –

- handling and storage of PMC

- various tools and their uses

- shaping the PMC clay

- texturing & embellishing

- setting a stone

- drying and firing

- a number of different finishing techniques including antiquing

 Tools

The tools required for working with PMC are fairly straightforward and include potter’s clay shapers, cutters and texture tools, paintbrushes, craft knives, chisels, files, scrapers, dremel and many other assorted objects found around the home.

Cost of the course, to be paid prior to the course, is $50.00.

Cost of all materials, which the instructor will supply is $170.00. This can be paid on the first day of the course.

Total Cost: $220.00 (This is less than half the cost of a similar commercially taught course.)

Project 1:

Dichroic Glass Pendant

Materials:

10 - 15 gms PMC3 Lump Clay

1 x PMC3 Syringe

1 x PMC3 Paste

1 piece Dichroic Glass up to 2cms

Project 2:

Filigree Earrings

1 x PMC Syringe

1 x PMC Paste

Different size syringe tips

2 x Silver earring wires

2 x Cubic Zirconia’s

Project 3:

Ring

15 gms PMC Lump Clay

1 x PMC Paste

1 x PMC Syringe

1 x Cubic Zirconia or Synthetic Ruby or Sapphire

 

Lastly a mention should be made to the Organizations that provided grants to the North Brisbane Lapidary Club and for which we are very grateful.

The Brisbane City Council whose grant enabled us to to qualify one of our members as a Level 3 Cert Instructor in PMC.

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund whose grant enabled us to purchase the Kiln, PMC Tools and PMC Books.