LOVE FOREVER - PMC wedding band set

[MuranoSilver]

Here's the work in progress on a wedding band set...(lots more polishing & smoothing to do )
I started with a 10mm band of PMC then inscribed LOVE FOREVER (their choice of words)
Next the band was split into two, 6mm for the gent, 4mm for the lady. He's a size T and she's an L so now the bands have been fired you have to roll em to see the words


(I propped them together with blue tack for the picture, lol)
Hope you like em

Nic xx

[gypsypunk]

interesting

[ShinySilver]

They are lovely!

Can I ask, how did you actually seperate them? Had the clay been fired by then or was it still damp? Did you using a scalpel or a piercing saw or what?

I've only briefly worked with PMC but I can't imagine being able to do anything so precise. Really beautiful.

[Recycled Bag Lady]

They look lovely! But what is PMC? They look like a metal to me!

[woodtattoos]

They look lovely! But what is PMC? They look like a metal to me!

It's precious metal clay... you can model it when soft, then fire it so all but the metal is left (I think!)

EDIT - here's a link that tells you more... http://www.silverclay.co.uk/

Si.

[Recycled Bag Lady]

Oh wow, I didn't know that, thanks Si!

(amazing what you learn on t'interweb isn't it?)

[woodtattoos]

Oh wow, I didn't know that, thanks Si!

(amazing what you learn on t'interweb isn't it?)

Sure is! I've never used it before but vaguely heard about it a long time ago.... I would love to give it a go actually!

Si.

[bright&beautiful]

They are lovely, don't know much about jewelry apart from wearing it but I'm enjoying looking at everyone's creations on here.

[auntynet]

What a wonderful commission for you to get. And so interesting - you must post pics when you've finished them. And also pics of the happy couple wearing them.

Have been looking into PMC recently, initially for DH but am now wondering if maybe I'll have a bash at something.

[MuranoSilver]

Thank you all
PMC is indeed Precious Metal Clay & is lots of fun to work with...
You can purchase it in Gold, Silver & now Bronze.
Basically it consists of microscopic particles of the metal suspended
in an inorganic binder (resulting in a clay like substance).

Some benefits are:
1) It's very pliable and you can do things with it, that would be almost impossible to achieve in metal (if you've done wax build up modelling it's a bit like that).
2) For the thinner pieces like pendants, band rings etc you can torch fire it.
3) Once fired the PMC silver is assay stampable as .999 pure silver.
4) As it doesn't contain copper the PMC silver can be directly enamelled onto.

Some Drawbacks...
1) It dries quickly and is sticky...(Think bread dough) so can be difficult to get fine detail in.
2) For larger pieces (bangles etc) you're going to need a proper temperature controlled kiln, to get a dense enough metal.
3) It's expensive..(compared to sterling etc)
4) Before firing you have to dry it & in that state it's quite fragile. (think rich tea biscuit).
5) You cant use some metals on it until dry (seems to weaken the finished PMC)

Other than that you can get some great starter kits & it's fun!!

ShinySilver: for these rings I rolled them then used the guide edges to make a 1cm strip. I then measured both ends and (using the plastic rolling guide as a ruler) ran a scalpel down the centre.
Using a cocktail stick I loosely inscribed the message then quickly made both rings, 2.5 sizes bigger for the small & 3.5 sizes bigger for the large.
I used a wooded mandrel with wrap strips, I eased the wrap strips off before the rings were completely dry (it shrinks a little when drying)

I left the rings on the paper strips overnight (until copletely dry) then
carefully carved the letters out properly, using the scalpel & a titanium pick.

Firing was done in my kiln for 1 hour at 750 degrees.
If torch firing I'd make the small ring approx 2 sizes bigger & the large 2.5 / 3 sizes bigger..

Hope that helps
Nic xx

Auntynet, they picked them up today and loved them, but I didn't get chance to take any more pics sorry..(maybe if I get another commission!, lol)

[ShinySilver]

Thank you so much for the detail and information!

It sounds pretty complex, or at least when you've not done much in PMC, is does. Having done a little I know the basics but I also know how tricky it can be -your descriptions of the bread dough and rich tea biscuits are spot on and show just how difficult it can be to work with!

I think that's the hardest thing; getting the texture to work with just right and making sure it's not too wet or dry. Looks like you got it perfect with these and I'm really glad the recipients are pleased with them - they'd be mad to be othewise!

[Critchley]

They were really lovely. It was certainly very interesting following all the comments. I agree, this forum can be soooo instructive. I have learnt more this last couple of months than I have in the last ten years. Thanks everyone.

[Fluffy Squirrel]

Beautiful work... and a very informative thread too - thank you for sharing

[drrubina]

Hi

Thanks for being so descriptive.
http://myartcreations.blogspot.com

[craftsensations]

Wow, they're brilliant! So nice to have an individual item for something like this. My other half and I don't want to get married but we may being doing something else, like a celebration thing - will keep you in mind if we do rings as well, would love to have some of your work!