Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method for applying metals to clay. More particularly, the present invention relates to applying malleable metals, such as silver, to clay, such that the metal attaches to the clay and as an added feature forms beads on the surface of the clay.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method for applying metals to clay. More particularly, the present invention relates to applying malleable metals, such as silver (a.k.a PMC3) to clay, such that the metal attaches to the clay and as an added feature forms beads on the surface of the clay. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Previous attempts to add metal direction, such as silver, to clay has either required that the metal be fastened to the metal or applied during baking. However, malleable metal that is applied during baking in a kiln has led to later slippage of the metal, thus altering the artists intended design. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to present a method for applying malleable metal to clay which does not suffer from later slippage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart depicting the method used for applying the malleable metal to clay. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a picture of a shaped piece of clay before baking. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a picture of the shaped piece of clay of  FIG. 1  after baking. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a picture of the shaped piece of clay of  FIG. 2  after a colored slip has been applied. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a picture of the shaped piece of clay similar to  FIG. 3  with liquefied malleable silver being added (painted) to its surface. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are pictures of shaped pieces of clay after the malleable silver has been set. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    The method of the present invention begins with kneading wet clay to remove air bubbles in step  102 . Next, the kneaded clay is “thrown” on a potter&#39;s wheel and shaped into its desired form in step  104 . An example of a shaped piece of clay is depicted in  FIG. 2 , for example. Any excess clay can then be removed in step  106  and the piece is allowed to dry until it is “leather hard” in step  108 . Drying can take anywhere from 24-96 hours depending upon humidity conditions. 
         [0010]    The piece is then bisque baked in a kiln in step  110 . Preferably, the piece is bisque baked at 1560°-2100° F. More preferably, the piece is bisque baked at Cone  06  (1830° F.). After baking, the piece is allowed to cool to room temperature in step  112  as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0011]    For clay that color is to be added to, the piece is then painted with a colored slip having a matte finish in step  114  as depicted in  FIG. 4 . An example of a suitable type of colored slip is Valerian Velvet Underglaze. However, any colored slip having a matte finish may be utilized in combination with the method of the present invention. The piece, having the matte finish applied, is then bisque baked again at 1560°-2100° F. in step  116 . More preferably, the shaped piece of clay is bisque baked at Cone 06 (1830° F.). If no color is to be added to the clay then the colored slip with matte finish need not be applied. The bisque baked piece is then allowed to cool to room temperature in step  120 . 
         [0012]    At this point, the malleable metal (e.g., PMC3) is converted to liquid form by mixing the PMC3 with water in step  120 . Preferably, a malleable metal, such as PMC3 malleable silver, is used. The PMC3 malleable silver can be prepared for application by mixing 2 parts water with 5 parts PMC3 malleable silver before application to the piece. The mixing in step  120  may be done manually or with a machine (i.e. an electric blender). The liquefied malleable metal may then be applied to the surface of the clay by painting or any other desired decorative style in step  122 .  FIG. 5  depicts application of the liquefied malleable metal to the clay by painting using a brush. 
         [0013]    The piece with the applied malleable metal is then baked in the kiln at 1750°-2130° F. in step  124 . Preferably, the piece is baked in the kiln at Cone 04 (1940° F.). The finished piece is then allowed to cool inside the kiln with the metal and or beading attaching to become permanently affixed as the piece cools in step  16 . The affixed beading, shown in  FIG. 6 , is the final product with the malleable metal after cooling. 
         [0014]    It should be obvious that the temperature range the final baking step would differ for different metals as they may have significantly different properties. For example, gold would require a higher temperature than silver because of its higher melting point. Examples of finished pieces having metal beading attached are depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 .