CREATIVE CRAFTING

Archive for the ‘Polymer Clay-Beads’ Category

For individuals who like the thought of sculpting but have a problem dealing with traditional clay, polymer clay is a wonderful alternative. Polymer clay is not really earthen clay. It’s produced from Pvc material and it is only referred to as clay due to the texture-similar to modeling clay.

One thing which helps it be so exciting is the fact that it’s easily available in numerous vibrant colors. Metallic and iridescent colors are created with the addition of mica to the mixture. Children and grown ups equally find the clay simple and easy to work with.

The clay is cured by baking at lower temps, around 230 to 250 degrees. Once cured, it is actually hard and sturdy. Layers of uncured clay can be put onto the cured item and re-baked devoid of harm to the cured piece. It needs to be mentioned that curing the clay at too high of a temp can produce dangerous gases, but curing at the correct temperatures is only going to produce a slight odor. You can also find air dry variations of polymer clay.

Polymer clay was created during the early 1930s as being a toy maker’s reaction to having less plastic material accessible. However the substance failed to fit the aim and the formula was given to someone who used it to create Fimo. About the middle of the 1960s polymer clay shot to popularity amongst artists. Other brands, such as Sculpey and Modello, emerged as a result. Polymer clay is also known as “Sculpey” clay, even though Sculpey is actually a distinct brand name.

Here is a fun polymer project that took only minutes to complete but the potential is limited only by your imagination.

I took a small blank block of wood purchased at Michaels.  Scraps of polymer clay, leftover scrapbook embellishments and made a wall hanging.

The only way to mess this up really is to blend your scraps too much.  You want the individual colors to show through as the background for the piece.  You don’t want it looking muddy in the background.

The embellishments can be anything you want; I used a field of flowers.  I am currently working on a larger piece that I hope will look like a winter scene with Santa.

Roll out the clay.

Place your clay on a flat surface and put the block of wood upside down on the clay and press hard.  You want to make an indentation in the clay of where you want to place your scene.

Remove the block of wood and cut around your indentations.  I left a little hanging over the side about 1/8 inch.  I then placed the clay square onto the wood. (I found the clay did not need anything extra to stick to the wood, but if you have difficulty try some liquid clay first.)

Bake the clay according to instructions right on the wood.  When cooled glaze the piece with your clay glaze, then it is ready for embellishments. Be sure and seal the wood after baking, not before. I used a brush on Polyurethane to see it. You could paint the wood, stain it, or whatever you like.

Polymer Clay is a fun medium to use because it is easy to mold and it can be cooked in your oven. When making jewelry, and you have run out of beads that you want to use, take out your clay, and make beads. Here are some techniques that will make your bead making more intricate and unique.

I found a technique for making imitation bone or ivory beads using polymer clay. You can also maneuver the clay so that it will take on a wooden look. You start the process by making beads the size you need out of white. Some artist like to use more cylindrical shapes as they claim it enables them to “carve” patterns easier than more rounded beads, for myself I didn’t see a difference. So use your own ideas on the shapes (more fun that way too!)

After the bead has been baked use a small knife to carve patterns. You can also use on of your pointed clay tools or a sharp needle also works well. Once you are satisfied with the carving use either a tan or light beige acrylic paints and lightly rub the outside of the bead. Do not rub so much in that the paint goes into the carving you made, that part should remain white. While the paint is slightly damp still use either a piece of paper towel or a napkin to remove any excess paint.