Steel on Its Own<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are just starting your experience with base metal clay, I would suggest using Low Shrinkage Steel XT<\/em>. It is friendly and easy to use. Most of the projects that are introduced in my first book: The Handbook of Metal Clay: Textures and Forms<\/em> (2nd edition), originally written for silver, can be easily done with Low Shrinkage Steel XT<\/em>.<\/p>\n Steel Combined with Other Metals<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Mokume Gane Patterns<\/em><\/p>\n Any of the steels works well with these patterns if it is used in small amounts.<\/p>\n 2. Gradients<\/em><\/p>\n All steels work well with gradient surfaces. Only Pearl Grey Steel (not XT<\/em>) works with gradient from steel to White Bronze!<\/strong><\/p>\n 3. All Other Designs<\/em><\/p>\n Low-shrinkage Steel XT<\/em> is recommended. <\/p>\n If you use it in combination with Quick fire bronze, you will have to fire the steel part first at its high temperature, then add bronze and re-fire at a lower temperature.<\/p>\n If you use it in combination with Quick-fire Bronze XT<\/em>, you can fire them together once, at high temperature.<\/p>\n What Bronze to Use and When<\/strong><\/p>\n Bronze on Its Own<\/strong><\/p>\n I suggest Quick-fire bronze, since it is fired at a lower temperature and therefore shrinks less.<\/p>\n Bronze with Copper<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are a beginner but want to explore mixed metals, I suggest starting with Quick-fire copper and Quick-fire bronze (not XT<\/em>). You will find lots of projects in my book: Mixed Metal Jewelry from Metal Clay.<\/em>. Many of the projects in The Handbook of Metal Clay<\/em> are “translated” in the second edition to a combination of Quick-fire copper and bronze.<\/p>\n Bronze with Steel or with Copper and Steel<\/strong><\/p>\n This is the same as “Steel combined with other Metals” above, with one difference:<\/p>\n In mokume gane patterns, if you use Quick-fire bronze and fire at a low temperature, the color of steel will be black (right earring below). If you use Bronze XT<\/em> and fire at high temperature the color of steel will be blue (left earring below).<\/p>\n![\"Room](\"http:\/\/artinsilver.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/t-Room-on-a-view.jpg\" "\\"Room")
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