Making my own liquid stringer and glass clay - RECIPE for Powder Line Medium

INGREDIENTS:

•1/4 cup CMC
•2 cups water (distilled preferred but not required. NOTE I used reg tap water)
DIRECTIONS:

•Boil water.

•Add CMC, stirring in slowly to minimize clumping.NOTE: I basically dumped the powder in and it formed white, clumps with the powder inside the clumps (see photo). I smashed the clumps on the side of the pot to get rid of them.


•Stir until mixed. There will be lots of lumps at this point - that's okay.


•Allow the mixture to sit and cool for 24 hours.
IMPORTANT:

•CMC is used as a food additive and is non-toxic. This recipe can be safely prepared in your kitchen.
NOTE: The package I picked up at my local ceramic supply place (Laguna Clay) has a warning that there are known carcenogens in the package and should not be used near food preparation. I'm hoping this is just a generic warning, but I did take precautions.
1. I'm using an old pot that will be dedicated to only making this.
2. I'm using a spoon to stir that will only be used for this.
3 I used a dust mask.
4. I prepared this all outdoors since it was a nice day. I can also do this in the glass studio if the weather doesn't permit.

•CMC consistency varies among manufacturers. You may need to experiment if you are not getting the consistency that you want.

•This mixture can be thinned by adding water. It cannot be thickened by adding CMC. This is why many people choose to intentionally mix the PLM extra thick and thin as needed

18 Hours Later

All the undisolved lumps are gone and it has gelled. The consistancy is like gelatin. My best description is like chicken stock that you make at home and cook down for hours. Then you put it into the fridge and the next day it is alot like jello. Well that's my best description for this, except a bit thicker.

Now this is ready to use to make glass clay or liquid stringers.