Using Silver Clay in Hot Weather

Using Silver Clay in Hot Weather – 7 top tips

Over the last few days, the weather in the UK has been beautiful. I’m talking long summer days, blue skies and hot weather. It is a blessing and the sunshine invariably makes us feel so much better about the world…except when you’re working with silver clay!! Using silver clay in hot weather can bring its challenges! Silver clay is a beautifully malleable material but it is sensitive to heat and humidity. Because the clay requires moisture to work well, the hot weather can dry it out quickly which means the clay can become dry and brittle making the creative process frustrating rather than enjoyable.

So here are my top tips for working with silver clay in hot weather

Store your silver clay in a cool place

It’s important to keep your silver clay in a cool environment, away from the direct sunlight and heat. Keep your open clay stored in an airtight pot in a shaded place where the temperature is consistent. Some of my students in hotter climates swear by storing their silver clay in a fridge!

Work in a Shaded area

If you work in direct sunlight, this can dry out your clay quickly. So try working in a shaded area where you can control the temperature. Here in the UK, we don’t have air conditioning, so I work in the coolest room in the house, which never gets direct sunlight.

Work in the morning or the evening

These times of the day are normally cooler, so if you can, avoid the afternoon.

Use a baby wipe or wet cloth

I use a baby wipe to cover my clay when I am working and I’m not able to put the clay straight back in the pot. It keeps the clay moist when you’re working on something detailed. This is a temporary solution though, don’t leave the clay out under a baby wipe for any more than a few minutes, because if it’s warm, the baby wipe can dry out quickly too.

Work quickly

This sounds obvious, but you can prepare your work area to make sure you can lay your hands on your tools quickly and efficiently. This ensures that the silver clay is not out in the open for too long. Prepare your design beforehand, lay out everything you need

 Avoid handling the clay for too long

As with the weather – your hands are probably hot too! I say this as a matter of course to my new students, but its doubly important in hot weather – don’t touch your clay unless you need to and when you do, make sure that it’s quick and intentional.

Know how to rehydrate your silver clay

Even with the best working practices, you may find that your clay is still showing signs of losing moisture. It is easy to rehydrate your clay, all you need is a little bit of water. This is how to do it. And I have a video on my YouTube channel if you prefer a visual. I also wrote a blog about saving your clay which you can find here.

• Make sure you apply some release agent to your work surface.
• Roll out your clay thinly, without the use of spacers.
• Dip your finger in a little bit of water and apply to the surface of your clay.
• If the water disperses into the clay quickly, then feel free to another another small amount and repeat.
• Be careful not to add to much water since you can over hydrate and make the clay sticky.
• Put into some plastic wrap and massage the clay within it.
• If you have time, let is ‘rest’ for 5 minutes.
• Use as normal.

And finally – know when to admit defeat! If the weather is too hot for clay – relax and go and do something else. That’s why I’m inside, writing this blog… I’ve done my wet clay work – which is now drying. If I choose, I can go out to my studio and finish the refining (all good to do in the heat btw) or else you might find me sitting out in my garden with something cold to drink!

I hope these tips and tricks have helped you! Do let me know if you have any questions.

Love, Emma x