I've been Googling for days to find out where I can purchase bronze clay - according to some people, it's out there for purchase. Would anyone be able to give me some leads?

Supposedly it will be introduced by Rio Grande at the PMC Conference next month.  I don't think you will be able to get it until then.  I will be attending and if I remember, I will report back here after I return with any information I have.

 

Thanks, Bob! I look forward to seeing your update!

 Bob's right. We were told that it would be available through Rio Grande after it's introduction at the PMC conference in July. We received some of the clay a few months ago to test out for an article on Bronze Clay that appeared in the July issue of Art Jewelry.

I have a couple of other questions. First, is there any indication of what cost will be for this clay? And, I emailed the company that makes it because they also show that they make copper clay, but haven't heard back from them. Does anyone know if copper clay will be out there, too? By the way, nice intro articles for bronze clay in this month's magazine!

I'm also interested in bronze and copper clay.

 Any idea whether, like PMC and Art Clay, it will be restricted to sale in certain areas?  US suppliers are not allowed to supply clays to the UK - I believe it is a kind of price fixing by the manufacturers who manage to charge huge amounts more for it in the UK.  I always thought it was illegal, but dealers will tell you they cannot do so.

 

 

leezimmerly, I'm sorry to say that there isn't any official word on the pricing of the Bronze Clay as yet... I talked with the folks from Rio Grande at the recent Bead & Button show and they were still finalizing the packaging, etc., with the goal of having it commercially available at the PMC Conference in mid-July. We do know it'll be less expensive than the traditional silver metal clay, but that's about it for now.

Bill Struve, the inventor of Bronze Clay, is planning to experiment with copper clay as well — no word on the progress of those experiments as yet. But it would be very cool to have copper clay, wouldn't it?

Thanks for your kind words about the article — we had a lot of fun with that one!
 

Hi!

I had dinner with Bill and his wife Lacey Ann the makers of the Bronze Clay at the Bead and Button show, they are a very nice down to earth couple. I think they are keeping a low profile since they get swarmed with questions. I'll tell you the pioneering of a new material is hard. Bill has tried over 270 something formulations before coming up with this final version. I saw person samples of theirs and Barbara Simons at the show -- what potential.

Rio will be the official distributor and also the final price setter. I think others will carry the clay, but they will probably have to go through Rio for their stock I imagine 

I think the Art Jewelry Article covers everything at this point that the outside world is going to know about the clay before the conference. Price should be cheaper and the size of lump bigger.

I think now that Bill has unlocked the mystery of firing the clay without oxidation, this will open doors for other products to be created. How cool!

~ Holly

http://www.HollyGage.com
Silver focal pieces, Rainbow Titanium
and beading components

 

 

I received an email from Rio a couple of days ago talking about them releasing bronze clay at the PMC Conference.  In it they had a picture of the packages.  One was for 100 gr. and the other was for 200 gr.  Guess the packages will be larger then what we get for silver.  Just thought I would let you all know the latest.  See you in 2 weeks!

 

 

Well, I'm back.

Bronze clay can be ordered from Rio Grande.  I ordered 100 gr for show special of less than the normal $19.98 price.  I also ordered a stainless steel pan ($24.50) and activated carbon ($16.65) for use in firing.  Had a nice presentation from the inventor and am anxious to try it.

You can also get 200 gram of clay for $34.48, but gal from Rio said you have to keep it refrigerated after opening.  I also got a 30 gr sample by filling out a card for Rio at the conference.  My wife did too, so I 60 gr right now to play with.  I had no problem giving them my name and info, because I have had an open account with them for close to 20 years.

Inventor told me his next is copper and after that who knows?  He said maybe stainless steel.

Well that is the scoop I promised after I returned.

 

Bronze clay is available as of today to the general public according to the woman I placed my order with at Rio yesterday. Folks from the PMC Conference at Perdue were able to order at the conference. Bill Struve said that he plans on Copper clay being available next year (summer 2009)! As of today the clay is sold in 100 and 200 gram packs. The 200 gram pack is less than $35US. I think the 100 g pack was $18 or so. Rio is the only place that has it right now. They agreed to some kind of exclusivity with Rio, but I don't know what the details are. It may have been just that Rio could premeire it because several other companies are preparing to sell it soon. Smiels, joanne w.

Bob, maybe you'll know... what kind of kiln was used in the demo you saw?

And you have to keep it in the fridge?!?! 

I didn't actually see it being fired, Bill S. just gave us a Power Point presentation.  I got the impression that any kiln would work.  He mentioned at one point that if your kiln had a door on the front (like my Paragon SC2), you should place it as far back, away from the door, as you can because that is where the most level heat is.  He then commented that if you had a top opening kiln, that didn't apply.  So I would assume any kiln with programmable heat would be OK.

I was going to order 200 gram bronze clay, because that is a better bargain, but the person in the Rio Booth that seemed the best informed there, said I might want to get 2 100 gram packages, because AFTER OPENING, the unused portion must be refrigerated.  (She didn't say whether in the crisper or on the shelf, but I imagine my wife will have something to say about that).

I actually have an old refrigerator in the work shop that formerly held beverages, but I now have my large polisher in front of the door.  I can still get to the freezer, and I use it to get the dop sticks off of finished cabs.  Sure miss the cold beer space though.