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The UltraLite Kiln is the smallest kiln in the UK: about the size of a cereal bowl. It's used for drying and firing Art Clay and PMC silver clays, enamelling, annealing and fusing glass, granulation, keum boo, and making jewellery.

The UltraLite Kiln is a plug-in 845°C, round, open-top, ceramic-fibre kiln, with a firing disc, a metal-clay drying disc, and a lift off metal lid. It's not programmable: just on or off. However, the firing characteristics can be modified by moving the lid to one side.

It's ideal for your home studio, craft workshop, or course venue. It weighs about 1kg, so is easy to take to demonstrations, exhibitions, and fairs.

For prices, use the on-line shop link below the menu bar near the top-right of the page. The prices are for a UK-EU voltage CE-marked kiln with a stand-mat, a firing disc, a drying disc, and a lid, and include UK VAT and UK mainland delivery.

The UltraLite Studio Kiln.

To look at the pop-up photos, hold your mouse over the zoom buttons below: you don't need to click.

The UltraLite Kiln.

The UltraLite Kiln With Its Lid.

Keum Boo Pendant.

Keum Boo Pendant.

The UltraLite Kiln.

The UltraLite Studio Kiln is a plug-in ceramic-fibre kiln, usually used for drying and firing Art Clay and PMC silver clays, enamelling, glass fusing, gold leaf keum-boo work, and making jewellery. It's an 845°C, compact, round kiln, with a lift-off lid. The UltraLite Kiln is the smallest kiln in the UK.

The UK kiln is rated at 230V 250W, so can use a regular mains socket. It heats and cools quickly, but costs very little to run. It's small enough to use in your home, school, craft workshop, jewellery studio, or take to a course venue, as it only weighs about 1Kg.

The ceramic-fibre firing chamber measures 127mm x 65mm externally, and is mounted in a 62mm high plastic case. It heats from the bottom, with the fast-firing element safely embedded in a removable fibre disc. The kiln stands on an included plastic mat to stop it sliding around. There's a front cut-out for access, which also acts as a vent for any processes that release fumes.

The US-made kiln has been modified for EU voltage, meets EU safety standards, and is CE marked. The 2.0m power cable has a regular UK plug. Putting the lid off-centre will effectively vent the kiln and reduce the temperature

The recommended firing kit for the UltraLite, included in the price, consists of one 77mm x 4mm cordierite firing disc and one 77mm x 4mm cordierite drying disc for Art Clay and PMC metal clays. Cordierite is a magnesium aluminium silicate that resists thermal distortion and fracture. The firing disc always stays in the bottom. The drying disc is put on top of the lid and is used to dry silver clay pieces.

Kiln shelf paper will stop enamels and glass sticking to the firing disc. Kiln shelf paper is simpler and more convenient to use than glass separator for stopping enamels and glass sticking to the firing disc.

Because the kiln only heats from the bottom, you can't stack the discs and fire several layers of work at the same time. However, two extra discs allow you to put one on the lid to dry metal clays and use the other to lay out your next pieces ready for firing.

The two red-brass hot-lids, one of which has a shallow hollow for round pieces, are generally used for keum-boo work, and are described below. They're optional extras.

The Ultra Lite Kiln is a good first-kiln, popular with keum-boo artists. Apart from its internal size, the only minor limitation is that, although 845°C is hot enough for silver metal-clays, it's not hot enough for gold metal-clays, ceramics, porcelain, pottery, and stoneware: they need a 1260°C or 1290°C kiln.

Although the elements are embedded in ceramic fibre, an important safety feature, never get careless: kilns are hot and connected to the mains.

The UltraLite Kiln.

The UltraLite Kiln doesn't use a conventional kiln shelf supported on short posts. Instead, it uses a firing disc made from cordierite: a magnesium aluminium silicate that resists thermal distortion and fracture. The disc protects the floor of the firing chamber. Because the kiln only heats from the bottom, you can't stack the discs and fire several layers of work at the same time.

If your metal clay pieces are delicate or irregularly shaped, put some ceramic-fibre cloth on the firing disc so that they're supported during drying and firing and don't roll around. Kiln shelf paper will stop enamels and glass sticking to the firing disc.

Art Clay and PMC must be dry before firing. Put the drying disc on the lid, and put your pieces on top. If the kiln is already hot, about 10-15 minutes is enough. Remember to take the disc off before firing.

The red-brass hot-lids are used for keum-boo work. There are excellent descriptions of keum-boo on the internet so, rather than repeating them here, you'll need to research the subject. However, here's a brief description:

Keum-boo is a simple technique that bonds pure gold foil to another pure metal, such as fine silver, producing a rich gold colour. Because the gold foil is thin, the cost of adding pure gold to your work is low.

When pure silver and pure gold are brought to the correct temperature, under pressure, the molecules mesh easily to create a permanent bond. This diffusion bond occurs well below the soldering temperature for either metal.

Pure silver usually needs no preparation. Sterling silver needs treating to remove other metals from the alloy and leave a layer of pure metal on the surface.

The UltraLite is a small, fast-heating, ceramic-fibre kiln, with one embedded heating element in the bottom. It has firing characteristics you need to be aware of:

Due to the cut-out at the front, work placed near the front won't get quite as hot as work placed near the back. Also, putting the lid off-centre will effectively vent the kiln and reduce the temperature.

These variations won't affect metal clays, but might affect enamels and glass. So, if you work with temperature-critical materials or processes, you'll need to experiment at the beginning.

The maximum temperature, about 845°C, is a function of the kiln's design: it stabilises when the heat being supplied is equal to the heat being lost. Moving the lid off-centre will allow heat to escape and reduce the temperature. You can't over-fire silver clays as silver doesn't melt until about 962°C.

For firing Art Clay and PMC use the firing disc insert, and for keum-boo work use the red brass tops. You can work with dichroic glasses, enamels, and fused glass, but will need to experiment.

If you want to know the exact temperature you'll need a pyrometer. You can buy a digital pyrometer in the on-line shop.

It's very important to understand that the UltraLite does not have a controller or a programmer. There are limitations, although you may be perfectly happy with what it can do rather than unhappy with what it can't.

The UltraLite isn't programmable, but it's perfect for short stop-start processes that aren't temperature-time critical and aren't limited by the kiln's 845°C maximum temperature.

The UltraLite heats to its maximum temperature and stays there until you turn it off. For many people doing small-scale work, that's enough, although it helps if you buy a small digital timer to remind you that time's up.

Aida Art Clay Silver And Mitsubishi PMC Silver Clay.

There are two popular makes of silver clay: Art Clay made by Aida Chemical Industries and PMC made by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, in Japan. They're both clay-like materials made of fine silver powder and water-soluble organic binders.

Art Clay Silver and PMC Silver, sometimes just called silver clay, metal clay, or precious-metal clay, are easy to fire: put your dried work on a kiln shelf and programme the temperature and hold-time.

As they're fired, the binders vapourise, releasing very small amounts of non-toxic carbon dioxide and water, and the metal powder sinters, leaving solid 999 silver: real metal, not something that just looks like metal.

Although Paragon kilns include a durable shelf kit so that you can start work straight away, several shelves can be stacked to make better use of your time and reduce the unit-cost of firing: so you might want more than one.

Although we chose to work with, sell, and provide classes in Art Clay, both makes fire in a similar way. So any kiln suitable for Art Clay will be just as good for PMC.

If you're currently using PMC, try Art Clay. There are differences in the feel, the shrinkage, the strength, the surface lustre, the product range, the pricing, and the general commercial setup if you're running a serious business.

Currently, in August 2012, 50 gms of PMC Silver Clay from the UK distributor costs £144.95 plus £4.13 postage. Art Clay Silver Clay costs £122.50 and there's no postage charge. If anyone would like to comment on this, let me know and provide a reference.

To learn more, use the links below the menu bar near the top of the page. You can buy ArtClay, bronzeclay, copperclay, glassclay, goldclay, and related products in the on-line shop.

Bronze Clay And BronzClay.

There are three popular makes of bronze clay: Bronze Clay made by ClayMania, BronzClay made by Metal Adventures, and Prometheus Bronze ProClay made by Odak. They're all clay-like materials made of fine bronze powder and water-soluble organic binders. However, they're fired in different ways:

Prometheus Bronze Clay is easy to fire: wrap your dried work in kitchen tissue or ceramic cloth, put it on a kiln shelf, and programme the temperature and hold time. It can also be fired in charcoal.

Clay Mania Bronze Clay and MetalAdventures BronzClay fire in a special way. Fired normally, the surface would oxidise so, to minimize this, they're embedded in activated charcoal granules in a covered stainless steel container. Charcoal made from coconut shells produces a natural bronze colour, and charcoal made from coal produces a colourful range of patinas.

As they're fired, the binders vapourise, releasing very small amounts of non-toxic carbon dioxide and water, and the metal powder sinters, leaving solid bronze, an alloy of 89% copper and 11% tin: real metal, not something that just looks like metal.

The stainless steel container for the Paragon SC-2 measures 162mm x 176mm x 100mm, and holds 1 litre of charcoal. To fire larger pieces, or more pieces at the same time, you'll need a larger kiln, such as the Paragon Xpress E-12A. The container for the E-12A measures 265mm x 162mm x 152mm and holds 3 litres of charcoal.

The 1230°C firebrick E12A costs more than the 1095°C ceramic-fibre SC2. However, it's two and a half times larger than the SC-2 and is a versatile mixed-media kiln suited to continual high temperatures.

Particulates represent a health risk if they're breathed in, so wear a HEPA mask when cleaning out your kiln, mixing kiln wash, and working with charcoals, ceramic-fibre blocks, cloths, and papers. And, ideally, use protective glasses.

Although Paragon kilns include a durable shelf kit so that you can start work straight away, several shelves can be stacked to make better use of your time and reduce the unit-cost of firing: so you might want more than one.

I can't recommend one clay as being the best. There are differences in the feel, the firing, the shrinkage, the strength, and the surface patinas, so try them and experiment: they're not expensive.
However, as Prometheus Bronze Clay is easy to fire and costs less than the others, try it first? It comes as 100gm of soft clay in a packet, or 10gm of creamy clay in a syringe with three tips that you can cut or shape.

There's also Creative Bronze, which is almost certainly Prometheus Bronze Clay renamed. I'll leave it you to work out why ProBronze is £19.75 for 100gm with no delivery charge and Creative Bronze is £24.95 plus £4.95 shipping.

Currently, in January 2012, 100gms of Art Clay Silver Clay costs about 1100% more than Prometheus Bronze Clay and PMC+ Silver Clay costs at least 1370% more. If anyone would like to comment on this, let me know and provide a reference.

So, if you're still in the learning phase, you can try out ideas before possibly wasting your expensive silver clay. However, bronze is a beautiful metal so, as with many materials, you need to exploit its qualities and try to produce beautiful original pieces.

To learn more, use the links below the menu bar near the top of the page. You can buy ArtClay, bronzeclay, copperclay, glassclay, goldclay, and related products in the on-line shop.

Copper Clay And CopprClay.

There are four popular makes of copper clay: Art Clay Copper made by Aida Chemical Industries, Copper Clay made by ClayMania, CopprClay made by Metal Adventures, and Prometheus Copper ProClay made by Odak. They're all clay-like materials made of fine copper powder and water-soluble organic binders. However, they're fired in different ways:

Clay Mania Copper Clay and MetalAdventures CopprClay fire in a special way. Fired normally, the surface would oxidise so, to minimize this, they're embedded in activated charcoal granules in a covered stainless steel container. Charcoal made from coconut shells produces a natural copper colour.

Art Clay Copper is easy to fire: put your dried work on a kiln shelf, and programme the temperature and hold time. In most kilns, several shelves can be stacked to make better use of your time: so you might want more than one.

Prometheus Copper Clay is easy to fire: wrap your dried work in kitchen tissue or ceramic cloth, put it on a kiln shelf, and programme the temperature and hold time. It can also be fired in charcoal.

As they're fired, the binders vapourise, releasing very small amounts of non-toxic carbon dioxide and water, and the metal powder sinters, leaving solid copper: real metal, not something that just looks like metal.

The stainless steel container for the Paragon SC-2 measures 162mm x 176mm x 100mm, and holds 1 litre of charcoal. To fire larger pieces, or more pieces at the same time, you'll need a larger kiln, such as the Paragon Xpress E-12A. The container for the E-12A measures 265mm x 162mm x 152mm and holds 3 litres of charcoal.

The 1230°C firebrick E12A costs more than the 1095°C ceramic-fibre SC2. However, it's two and a half times larger than the SC-2 and is a versatile mixed-media kiln suited to continual high temperatures.

Particulates represent a health risk if they're breathed in, so wear a HEPA mask when cleaning out your kiln, mixing kiln wash, and working with charcoals, ceramic-fibre blocks, cloths, and papers. And, ideally, use protective glasses.

Although Paragon kilns include a durable shelf kit so that you can start work straight away, several shelves can be stacked to make better use of your time and reduce the unit-cost of firing: so you might want more than one.

I can't recommend one clay as being the best. There are differences in the feel, the firing, the shrinkage, the strength, and the surface patinas, so try them and experiment: they're not expensive.
However, as Prometheus Copper Clay is easy to fire and costs less than the others, try it first? It comes as 100gm of soft clay in a packet, or 10gm of creamy clay in a syringe with three tips that you can cut or shape.

There's also Creative Copper, which is almost certainly Prometheus Copper Clay renamed. I'll leave it you to work out why ProCopper is £19.75 for 100gm with no delivery charge and Creative Copper is £24.95 plus £4.95 shipping.

Currently, in January 2012, 100gms of Art Clay Silver Clay costs about 1100% more than Prometheus Copper Clay and PMC+ Silver Clay costs at least 1370% more. If anyone would like to comment on this, let me know and provide a reference.

So, if you're still in the learning phase, you can try out ideas before possibly wasting your expensive silver clay. However, bronze is a beautiful metal so, as with many materials, you need to exploit its qualities and try to produce beautiful original pieces.

To learn more, use the links below the menu bar near the top of the page. You can buy ArtClay, bronzeclay, copperclay, glassclay, goldclay, and related products in the on-line shop.

Glass Clay And GlasClay.

GlasClay is made by ClayMania in vibrant colours, based on glasses from Bullseye and Oruboros. It's a clay-like material made of fine glass powder and water-soluble organic binders. It's sold as a box of twelve colours in 12gm pots.

The colours in the table below are a rough guide, and the clay powder, mixed powders, fused glass, and re-fused glass will not all look the same. They're all COE90: read this pop-up.

As it's fired, the binders vapourise, releasing very small amounts of non-toxic carbon dioxide and water, and the glass powder fuses, leaving solid glass: real glass, not something that just looks like glass.

GlasClay is easy to fire: put your dried pieces on some ceramic shelf-paper on a kiln shelf and programme the temperature and hold time.

GlasClay can be shaped easily. You can make three-dimensional objects and free yourself from the constraint of working with flat glass. The size is only determined by the support you can give it. Perhaps the most exciting opportunity is to make your own beads without a torch.

The firing temperature and time are important: glass clays have to fuse, not melt. There's a difference between fusing and melting: During fusing, the binder in the glass clay vapourises and the glass powder particles bond to make solid glass. During melting, the glass powder particles liquify and lose their original clay-shape.

Particulates represent a health risk if they're breathed in, so wear a HEPA mask when cleaning out your kiln, mixing kiln wash, and working with charcoals, ceramic-fibre blocks, cloths, and papers. And, ideally, use protective glasses.

Although Paragon kilns include a durable shelf kit so that you can start work straight away, several shelves can be stacked to make better use of your time and reduce the unit-cost of firing: so you might want more than one.

To learn more, use the links below the menu bar near the top of the page. You can buy ArtClay, bronzeclay, copperclay, glassclay, goldclay, and related products in the on-line shop.

Aida Art Clay Gold And Mitsubishi PMC Gold Clay.

There are two popular makes of gold clay: Art Clay made by Aida Chemical Industries and PMC made by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, in Japan. They're both clay-like materials made of fine gold powder and water-soluble organic binders.

Art Clay Gold and PMC Gold, sometimes just called gold clay, metal clay, or precious-metal clay, are easy to fire: put your dried work on a kiln shelf and programme the temperature and hold-time.

As they're fired, the binders vapourise, releasing very small amounts of non-toxic carbon dioxide and water, and the metal powder sinters, leaving solid 22 carat gold: real metal, not something that just looks like metal.

Although Paragon kilns include a durable shelf kit so that you can start work straight away, several shelves can be stacked to make better use of your time and reduce the unit-cost of firing: so you might want more than one.

Although we chose to work with, sell, and provide classes in Art Clay, both makes fire in a similar way. So any kiln suitable for Art Clay will be just as good for PMC.

If you're currently using PMC, try Art Clay. There are differences in the feel, the shrinkage, the strength, the surface lustre, the product range, the pricing, and the general commercial setup if you're running a serious business.

Currently, in January 2012, 50 gms of PMC Gold Clay from the UK distributor costs about 60% more than Art Clay Gold Clay. If anyone would like to comment on this, let me know and provide a reference.

To learn more, use the links below the menu bar near the top of the page. You can buy ArtClay, bronzeclay, copperclay, glassclay, goldclay, and related products in the on-line shop.

A Cherry Heaven Internet Resource

This internet resource is provided by Cherry Heaven, an international distributor, on-line shop, and support centre for kilns, materials, tools, and tumblers. It's not a bead, ceramics, crafts, glass, or metal-clay home-business, selling a few things to a market niche.

As it's on-line, there isn't a paper catalogue or a price list. However, you can mail or call a technician about kilns, power supplies, public area safety, a special project, business ideas, home diagnostics, repairs, or reselling opportunities.

Cherry Heaven Limited, 14 West Street, Corfe Castle, BH20 5HD, Dorset, England.

Cherry Heaven is a shop in Corfe Castle village, in Dorset, South-West England. The surrounding countryside includes green farmland, dramatic heritage cliffs, pretty stone cottages, historic buildings, sandy beaches, protected coves, open heathland, hill-top panoramic views, and peaceful villages. And lively seaside resorts. To look at some photos, use the dorset link on the front page.

Cherry Heaven is an EU distributor for US-made Paragon Kilns, and has been commended for an outstanding performance as one of Paragon's top-selling distributors over 2007 to : a pleasing outcome since the UK is only one third the area of Texas and one fortieth the area of the US.

Paragon Industries Incorporated, 2011 South Town East Boulevard, Mesquite, Texas, 75149-1122, USA.

Paragon Industries started as a family business in 1948. It's now the world's leading manufacturer of electric kilns and furnaces, and has built over 420,000. The 4,400 square metre site, in Mesquite, Texas, USA, has over 70 full-time staff. A new 1,700 square metre warehouse is under construction.

During manufacture, every kiln is checked at every stage by a technician and signed-off before shipping. They're simply but robustly engineered, and you're buying a comprehensive, versatile, safe, low-cost kiln: a kiln with a future.

Paragon kilns conform to the demanding UL 499 standard in the US, and are CE Marked for the EU. Paragon is Greek for Model Of Perfection.

The Kitiki Studio's Classes And Courses.

The Kitiki Studio provides an Art Clay educational programme, as classes, masterclasses, workshops, and Art Clay Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses through partners. I can recommend teachers so, if you're interested, mail or call.

On-Line Shopping At Cherry Heaven.

The on-line shop link is below the menu bar near the top of the page, on the right: you won't have to create an account, register, log on, look up your membership number, remember a password, sign up, join a club, or agree to be emailed. And the total won't be more than you expected because VAT and UK-mainland delivery are included.

Discounts, Trade Prices, And Business Opportunities.