Meet Hadar’s Clay™ Champagne Bronze
In January 2014 we will be releasing a new clay called High-Fire Champagne Bronze. It is a champagne-colored metal which fires at high-fire schedule.
Do we really need yet another metal clay? I say yes, and here is the reason: those of us who like colorful mixed metal jewelry have been limited so far to combining two metals only: copper and steel (at high-fire schedule) or copper and bronze (at mid-fire schedule). Steel could be added to a copper/bronze combination at mid-fire schedule only in tiny amounts (to create mokume-gane patterns), or it would not sinter. On the other hand, bronze could not be added to copper and steel at all at high-fire schedule, because it would over-fire.
Champagne Bronze is meant to rectify this situation. Since it is high-fire, it can be added to copper and steel without limiting the amount of steel and with no need to lower the firing temperature.
This new clay can also be fired on its own. After firing it is strong and can be hammered flat; rings can be hammered around a mandrel.
Champagne Bronze will be available in a 100-gram jar as well as in a combo package containing 50 grams each of Champagne Bronze, Quick-fire Copper, and Low-shrinkage Steel XT.
Many metal clay users are attracted to mixed metal jewelry but hesitate to try it because it seems too complicated. High-Fire Champagne Bronze makes it much easier. It fires in one session, at the same temperature as copper and steel, and shows a good contrast with them even without the use of patina. For this reason, it is suitable for both beginners and experienced users of metal clay.
The three-metal combo package comes with firing instructions and a link to two free projects for beginners, which will be posted here with the release of the product.
A separate Instruction Manual for Champagne Bronze will be linked in the right panel of this blog and on our Online Store.
December 18th, 2013 at 2:45 am
Oh my- yet another wonderful clay to work with and create wonderful pieces. The color looks beautiful.
Thanks for your untiring quest for great combinations.
December 18th, 2013 at 6:35 am
Good idea. I want some of this Champagne Bronze clay to play with. Summer was too busy to play, but my studio time is approaching quickly. Thanks Hadar!
December 18th, 2013 at 7:36 am
Great news! 😀
December 18th, 2013 at 8:59 am
Cool!
That’s a good start for 2014!
December 18th, 2013 at 11:40 am
I can’t wait to play with it. You are amazing. Thanks Hadar
December 18th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Squeee!!!! Thank you! I love Love LOVE your steel, and adding this to it will be unbelievable! I’m so excited!!!
December 18th, 2013 at 9:08 pm
I just heard from my clay teacher, Lyle Rayfield (one of your first group of accredited teachers in your clay) came back all excited about this. I can’t WAIT to try it!!! I’m just loving this color and SO excited it is high fire!!! YEAH!!!
December 18th, 2013 at 9:09 pm
I just heard from my clay teacher, Lyle Rayfield (one of your first group of accredited teachers in your clay) came back all excited about this. I can’t WAIT to try it!!! I’m just loving this color and SO excited it is high fire!!! YEAH!!! Thanks Hadar!