Past March 2016 some Art Clay Silver distributors visited Japan and were able to work with the latest Art Clay Silver product of Aida Chemicals: Art Clay Silver 950 Professional. I was one of the lucky test participants. We put our results on paper and therewith Aida has further refined the clay.
 
Meanwhile, this youngest, newest member is released. It allows Aida to run up nicely with the developments in the field of metal clay, I'm very excited.
 

​The clay approaches sterling silver and after firing about 60% stronger than the Art Clay Silver 650. At the request of Craftlines I also tested the version that is available from September 1, 2016 in the webshop. For colleagues it seemed useful to share my test results in a blog. Please note that all test results as described below, have been held against the light of the Art Clay Silver 650!
 
Material used: 25 g Art Clay Silver 950 
Of this quantity, I made a ring, a strip (with which after firing, I want to bend a ring around the steel tribulet) and a small pendant with a bail. Taking into account a larger shrinkage percentage, the base ring is formed 7,5 sizes larger. Also taking into account the use of structure -  thickness 1,5 mm. – width 1 cm.
 
Forming:
The clay can be rolled out smoothly, also with the use of silicone texture mats. As compared to the 650 this clay more sticky. To this one has to be alert, it requires a slightly modified method of cutting the clay.
 
Drying:
Drying goes well, the drying time is slightly longer than the regular clay. I used a food dehydrator. In the dried state, it’s slightly darker in color.
 
Sanding:
The clay is sufficiently strong to sanding and good finish. With addition of a few drops of water, a paste can be made of the excess residual waste. It allows absolutely trouble free fixing pieces together.
 
Firing:
Firing goes perfect! In a cold kiln to 500°C - hold for 30 minutes and then directly to 850°C. - hold 60 minutes. Then turn off the kiln and leave to cool in the kiln to room temperature.
 
Polishing:
After firing the color is light metallic grey. Brushing goes well and leaves no obvious traces. Polishing takes - as opposed to the 650 - some more effort, the material is therefore clearly harder.
 
Finishing:
With polishing paste the relevant parts can be given an even more glossy finish. The final design has a deeper silver color than bright fine silver color, which we are accustomed to from the 650.
 
Result:
As previously estimated the ring shrunk about 7-8 sizes. Clearly, this is a point that must be taken into account. After finishing the results are beautiful silver designs with a harder surface. The strip is carefully curved around the tribulet to an open ring. Due to the hardness of the metal took it more effort than expected to the 650. The bail stayed firmly at the back and can withstand normal pull.
 
Resume:
Forming:        good, for attention that the clay is more sticky than the 650.
Drying:           good, for attention that the drying time is longer than 650.
Sanding:         good.
Firing:              good, for attention that the firing time is longer, which is a disadvantage when
                                          used during workshops. 
Polishing:       good.
Finishing:       good.

Today Rixt Baas from De Meern participated in the 2nd and last long day of an intensive training to become certified Art Clay Silver Instructor.
And back home I let again pass by these days. I’m truly blessed, because all that enthusiasm makes me extremely happy.
Great to have such a wonderful job like this one, working with passionate people, gives me a huge boost!
 
Rixt is a busy lady, full of life, enjoying every moment, following a determined way in order to turn her passion into her profession. And I firmly believe in her success.
 
She now has put the first step in her Art Clay Silver career by completing her level 1. Beautiful designs are the result. Some of them can be admired here.
 
Rixt, thanks again for sharing your tireless efforts, enthusiasm and the nice talks.
I love to see you back for the sequel!

In about 1.5 months, we start the first of three planned certified training courses in the latest technology Art Clay Silver Quilling.
Time for Renske and me to put the finishing touches on the familiar "i". Do we have everything?
Did we order the correct quantities? These points we seem to be able to check off.
 
Now on for a clear timetable these days.
The course will be taught by us during three full days. In Japan, we have worked several days to create the required pieces.
During these days the students also enjoyed relaxing in the form of visiting the factory of Aida Chemicals and a museum.
We don’t offer this conviviality during the training in Harderwijk, although there is here plenty to see and do. But time is money and three days are simply less expensive than four.
 
From 10:00 to 18:00 we discuss the training, create a schedule in the division of tasks, we develop a daily schedule and we’re working on designs.
​The upcoming month of August is scheduled for developing various new designs and repeating the workpieces required for training.
 
We are ready !
Registration is possible, there are still a few places left!

Back home after a lovely midweek Bruges in Belgium, I welcome this weekend 3 Art Clay Silver instructor-colleagues from Belgium. An Meel and her partner Marco Vervloesem - both from Berlaar – and Mieke Backaert from Aalst, have traveled together to Harderwijk for a workshop New Mokume-Gane.
 
They think about following the certified New Mokume-Gane training and like to take previously a brief introductory workshop. The entire program is quite expensive, so this is a wise choice.
 
On Saturday evening there is time to relax. Dinner at Brasserie Bar & Terrace "De Boterlap" on the cozy market square of Harderwijk. Today is the first Harderwijk Live, plenty of fun, salsa music and dancing.
 
On both days the outside temperature pleasant, but to work in the studio with silver and copper clay, the indoor temperature is far from reasonable. Nevertheless, that doesn’t keep the ladies and gentleman from a thorough sanding and polishing session. What did they say worked hard!