THE NEXT STEP IN THE EVOLUTION OF METAL CLAY
Welcome to the next step in the evolution of metal clay: COPPRclayT! COPPRclay provides an incredible artistic range. And, because it 's so affordable, it can be used to sculpt large pieces and create specialized tools-it can even be thrown on a potter's wheel to shape copper hollowware. And because COPPRclay is pure copper, it’s great for jewelers and sculptors who enjoy applying enamels (follow the recommended Firing Schedule). Available in generous 100- and 200-gram blocks, COPPRclay allows the artist to experiment with how far (and big!) designs can go.
COPPRclayT can be pinched, rolled, sculpted and manipulated. In its dried state, it's still highly flexible and easy to carve-ideal for applying details and finishing touches prior to firing. When fired in a kiln, the binder vaporizes, leaving a solid, pure copper object that can be sawn, shaped, drilled, sanded, patinaed or soldered using traditional jewelry tools and techniques. And because COPPRclay is pure copper, it's perfect for artists who work with enamels. This exciting product offers a new world of possibilities for jewelry-makers, artists and sculptors.
THE ART OF METALLURGY
Used as far back as 6000 BC, copper delivered more strength and durability than iron and commanded a higher price.
Every day, copper artifacts are unearthed, still in excellent condition, still rich in color, full of history and representing
an incredible combination of skill and art.
Growing up, Bill Struve, the inventor of COPPRclayT, thought about being a physicist or maybe a psychiatrist, but he wasn't interested in math or medical school. Instead, he earned a doctorate in classical chemistry and a master's in electrical engineering, working 20 years in each field before embarking on a third career: art, in the form of metallurgy.
His desire to produce a new medium for his wife to use in creating strong, durable and wearable jewelry led Bill to experiment for countless hours to achieve success first with BRONZclayT, then COPPRclayT. As Bill developed these clays, one of his goals was to keep their ingredients safe to use. Another was to keep the tools needed for working with the clays simple: nothing fancy, just the basics, a kiln and the artist's imagination. BRONZclay and COPPRclay would be gifts to the artist, new additions to the tool box.
Although Bill has earned many letters to follow his name, he considers those he ascribed to himself to be the most accurate: "P.M.H." (Philosopher, Maker, Helper). Striving for perfection, he achieved excellence in the form of a piece of clay-open to artistic opportunity, bursting with creative potential. Welcome to COPPRclayT-it's time to play!
THE RIGHT FORMULA
COPPRclayT consists of pure copper, water and non-toxic binding materials. The binding materials vaporize completely during the kiln-firing process, leaving a solid copper piece with a density over 95% that of cast copper. And, all copper used to make COPPRclay is recycled!
Rio carries copper wire, ideal for using with and incorporating into your COPPRclayT designs.
