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Presentation: Fire! And Fire Again! How to Use Multiple Firings to Combine Diverse Metal Clays
Presenter: Paula McDowell
There are so many different brands and types of metal clay today: silver, bronze, rose bronze, white bronze, iron, brass, copper, steel, and more. All of these metals are all striking on their own, but when combined within the same work of art the result can be stunning.
In this presentation, Paula will share her experience in combining different metal clays that cannot be comingled and fired in a single firing. Instead, Paula will share how she plans projects to be fired multiple times and incorporate high-fire, mid-fire and low-fire clays into final creations. Paula will share the results of her experimentation, and the tips and tricks that help make the metals come together.
Presenter – Paula McDowell, USA
In 1999 Paula discovered the ability to sculpt, texture, carve and create forms in metal clay that were difficult using traditional methods. Base metals allowed Paula to explore different metals and color combinations. Paula creates wearable objects inspired by nature’s textures, forms, and movements.
Paula is an Accredited Teacher for Hadar’s Clay and holds PMC and Art Clay certifications. She regularly attends workshops to broaden her skills and has completed coursework with some of the best teachers in metal clay and metalsmithing.
Paula has developed tutorials for Metal Clay Today and AMCAW, and is featured in AMCAW’s 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2025 Exceptional Work in Metal Clay Calendars as well as the 2022 and 2024 Superbly Sintered Masterful Works in Metal Clay Exhibits and Catalogs.
Paula is a co-founder of AMCAW and lives in southwest Ohio.
Find Paula at: plmcdowell.com
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