If you are a crafter, artist or hobbyist that likes making jewelry, you absolutely need to try working with Precious Metal Clay (PMC). PMC or silver clay is very easy to work with, and you do not need to have a lot of tools to work with it.

If you cannot find a class in your town or city, you can purchase the materials you need online to work with PMC, but if you can find a certified instructor, it is easier to learn how to use it. Some basic instructions on how to get started.

Precious Metal Clay is a material that was developed by Mitsubishi Corporation as a byproduct of another line that they manufactured. It is essentially particles of precious metal embedded in a non-toxic organic binder that once fired becomes solid silver or gold. It did not catch on as a jewelry making material immediately in Japan, but a few artists in the United States began experimenting with it, and it started to gain in popularity. After experimentation, and some formula changes, there are now three main types of PMC available for purchase with some other related PMC products for ornamentation.

Original PMC: Original PMC is the first formula made, and is the least user friendly of the three formulas. This version takes approximately two hours to fire in a kiln, and shrinks about 50% from the original clay to the finished piece.

PMC+: PMC+ is my personal favorite PMC formula to work with and one that I think most beginners should start with. It is the most cost effective. You can fire a piece in a kiln from a range of about fifteen minutes to two hours. It shrinks about 12%, and it is slow drying in comparison with PMC3.

PMC3: PMC3 was designed when jewelers cried out for a formula that they could combine with fused glass. It can be fired at the lowest temperature of the three formulas, which allows it to be fired in a hot pot or other smaller kilns. However, if you want to fire glass into the clay, you need a regular PMC kiln.

PMC can be purchased in lump form, or in a PMC+ paper, or syringe (PMC+ and PMC3), and lastly a paste is available for purchase in all three formulas. These formulas are all fine silver. If you want to work with gold, you have to purchase the Original PMC formula.

What is so wonderful about working with PMC is that you can form the material just like wet clay. It can be pressed, stamped, cut, and molded into any shape or form, then once it is fired you are left with the exact shape you created, but in fine silver or gold. After firing, it acts just like fine silver or gold and you can use metalsmithing techniques to finish it.

If they don’t have to buy a lot of metalsmithing tools to work with it, and they don’t need to have all of the numerous metalsmithing skills to create something beautiful. It is a great material for hobbyists or artist. Common tools are similar to polymer clay tools, cutters, xacto knives, plastic rollers, cookie cutters, or rubber stamps. You don’t need to hammer, saw, or solder most pieces.

Do you want to add a stone to your design? Well, fire the stone right into the piece that you are making. Do you need to create a bail or loop? If so, you can make one out of PMC, and fire it right onto the piece.

Many of us, when we can’t decide on a gift, simply resort to a greeting card and money. Instead, giving the money to be used for charity can be the perfect birthday gift. The person whose birthday it is will also feel an enobling change of pace by being the one giving too, instead of just receiving on their birthday.

The purpose of a charity gift card or certificate is to allow the individual who receives the gift to make use of it by donating the amount on the card, to the charity of their choice. This is a most meaningful gift and when given as a birthday gift to a child, could begin to encourage the idea of selflessness at an early age, by presenting them the opportunity for giving. As for adults, they will be happy to participate and not only think of themselves, but take into consideration the many individuals in dire need, and be able to do something to help others on their birthday.

Charity gift cards are the perfect gift idea, especially for the person who seems to already have everything or for those who just enjoy helping others. They can be easily purchased online from many different non-profit organizations, and can usually be custom designed, as e-cards and even physical cards. The gift-giver is able to purchase these cards in many denominations, therefore allowing them to choose the amount to be donated. The person who receives the charity gift card as their birthday present is able to easily redeem it online. When doing so, the gift recipient is given the chance to decide which cause they wish to direct the funds towards, choosing a charity that is close to their heart.

Anyone who gives another person a gift wants it to mean something and to feel good about doing it. Charity is something that all of us can appreciate, and it will not only mean something to the person who receives the gift card, but to the charity and certainly those who benefit from the actual funds as well. Giving a birthday charity gift card is a perfect gift for anyone, whether it is a child, a relative, a business associate or a friend. It allows us all to remember those in need, and gives us the chance to be a part of something more meaningful and rewarding than just the ordinary practice of exchanging gifts.