Making Post Earrings with Metal Clay

[@guidelineuk4876]

Pam you really are the one stop shop for metal clay knowledge 😎

[@PamEast]

Thank you!

[@terrisidell7041]

Thanks so much for sending me the link to this video!! I really appreciate it very much!! I had tried to fire titanium posts in a pair of earrings only to have them become brittle & break after firing. I believe I fired at 1600*F for two hours. Maybe there is still hope for me to do it successfully!!

[@PamEast]

So glad this was helpful!

[@lisanormand8994]

Thank you so much!

[@PamEast]

You're welcome!

[@mary-annkieckhaben5026]

Thank you for your much Tip.

[@PamEast]

You bet!

[@yoyoyo7692]

do they make titanium posts in different lengths? Nothing worse than sort posts for fleshy earlobes!

[@PamEast]

I've never seen them in different lengths. Sorry!

[@yvonnehall7864]

Great video, thank you. I live in the U.K. and the can only get titanium posts with stainless steel pads, can I use these ?

[@PamEast]

I believe this will work so long as the stainless steel is completely covered by the metal clay. None of the pad exposed. I'd suggest doing a small test to be sure.

[@amberhohman829]

Thank you so much for the video! Could we also use niobium?

[@PamEast]

Theoretically yes? it has a high melting point. I have never tried it myself so I cannot say for sure. And I just went looking for Niobium earring post blanks and did not find them. If you're going to use niobium wire, i'd give it a test run before embedding it in metal clay. I have no idea what will happen to it.

[@mujnick]

There is so much practical info in this, thank you! In your experience, is there a difference between firing in a pan with and without the lid?

[@PamEast]

Yes, but its minor. Basically if you fire without the lid you will burn up your carbon faster. You can use the carbon a long time. You just have to winnow out the ash periodically. It creates a LOT more ash if you fire without a lid.

[@mujnick]

@@PamEast Thanks for the info!

[@jowens3548]

@Pam East can you torch fire these in place as well? Also can Titanium be soldered afterwards as well?

[@PamEast]

I do not recommend torch firing. It's likely the heat would exceed 1500 and the posts would become brittle. Also, you can't really torch fire the base metals. I have no knowledge of what is required to solder titanium. Sorry!

[@gianinecarbone6060]

So, I usually fire PMC 950 at 1650. Would it be best to do this in 2 firings? The first for strength of the earring at 1650 and then adding the titanium with a piece of clay and then firing at 1500.

[@PamEast]

If the clay you are using requires a high firing for strength you may want to look at soldering on ear posts after firing.

[@laurar8486]

Thanks Pam! Art Clay Bronze and Copper don't need an ititial binder burn out firing?

[@PamEast]

Nope. I've had terrific success with one phase firing. My test strips bent 90 degrees.

[@leannestockdesigns3257]

Is this true for all brands of base metal clays?

[@janetharriman8917]

Do you pre-fire the silver clay then re-fire with the posts? I am using EZ960 and PMC clays?

[@PamEast]

No, I attach the posts to unfired clay and fire them in place. If your clay calls for a higher firing time, then use the 1500, but increase the firing time to compensate. Consult the manufacturer of your clay.

[@engnardine]

Can you embed stainless steel post? Would you be able to torch fire the post with art silver clay instead of using a kiln?

[@PamEast]

No, Stainless steel becomes blackened and brittle and breaks off.

[@leanneharris6111]

I use silver clay (pmc flex) - would fire at 800 degrees and hold for 30 minutes. Why would I only hold for 15 minutes to fire the post on (will the silver clay be done in 15 minutes?) xxx

[@PamEast]

The firing schedules in this video are specifically for Art Clay Brand products. You can use ANY clay, but you have to adjust the firing schedule for your brand. PMC Flex has a longer sintering time so you would use that. 800C for 30 minutes would work fine.

[@cristinalottero5190]

congratulations on your video which is really very interesting Where do you buy the titanium pins? thank you and good evening. Cristina

[@silverglass6635]

You can find them on Etsy, many sizes, search “titanium earring posts”.

[@PamEast]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Here is a link to the titanium post earrings. www.riogrande.com/product/titanium-ear-post-with-5mm-pad/676091

[@cristinalottero5190]

@@PamEast thank you so much❤️❤️❤️

[@lisanormand8994]

For the silver, since you’re only firing for 15 minutes at 1500, how will your silver be ready?

[@PamEast]

I use Art Clay Silver. The manufacturer recommended firing is 1435 for 5 minutes. I'm increasing both the time and the temperature. 1500 for 15 minutes is plenty for a good sinter.

[@katierembe8930]

Okay so I have been living by these titanium posts from Rio ever since discovering this video. I have been very successful torch firing fine silver. Yesterday I tried firing 3 sets of earrings in the kiln with AC Sterling 950. I did the long fire (932* for 30 minutes then ramping up to 1598* for 1 hour). 1 set was wrapped in a fiber blanket support, the other two were flat so just placed directly on my fire tile. The pieces wrapped in fiber blanket seem fine, but the titanium piece on the other sets have completely failed. The titanium findings came out brittle and crumbly, and looked like it they had melted and then reformed again (some were visibly thicker than prior to firing). Any idea WTH happened here? I thought Titanium wouldn't melt until closer to 3,000*?

[@PamEast]

They may not MELT until closer to 3000, but they get very brittle before that. never fire titanium posts over 1500! I've have tested this and tested this. So long as I keep it under 1500 it's fine, but over 1500 and they fall apart.

[@cindiesue1]

Can I use surgical steel ear posts. I got them from Rio. But with no pad.

[@PamEast]

surgical steel posts will break off after firing. The firing is too long an hot for them. Suggest sticking to titanium. If that is not good for you, then posts will have to be soldered on after firing.

[@melindakelley1425]

Can you reuse the coconut carbon?

[@PamEast]

Yes! I use mine over and over. I does get clogged up with ash eventually. Periodically you should take it outside and pour it back and forth between two containers to let the ash drift out. Eventually all the ash will be gone and what's left is good carbon that you can continue to use. Wear a mask when doing this.

[@kerrycavender]

Can I torch fire titanium post into silver PMC ?

[@PamEast]

No. Torch firing is going to get over 1500 degrees and destroy the posts. Sorry!

[@Artinani1]

Where can I buy titanium posts in europe?

[@PamEast]

I have no knowledge about European distributors. Sorry! I do know Rio Grande has no minimum orders and will ship just about anywhere. www.riogrande.com/product/titanium-ear-post-with-5mm-pad/676091GP/?code=676091

[@katiegasiecki351]

Hi Pam, Thank you for the very helpful video. Can you tell me how thick you roll out your stud earrings? Also what type of paintbrush did you mention, do you have an affiliate link for the paintbrush? Thanks again!

[@PamEast]

My stud earrings are approximately 2mm thick. The brush is a Silverwhite Bright #4 Short Handle. Here is a link: www.dickblick.com/items/silver-brush-silverwhite-synthetic-brush-bright-short-handle-size-4/

[@katiegasiecki351]

Thank you!