Previous posts in the series:
Before I get into the post, let me apologize for not following up sooner.
The internet connection at home has decided that it will work only from Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm! Not really sure why, and we (we being the hubby) will hopefully call AT&T today to get it fixed. I was kinda okay with not having internet after work hours. It "felt" different. I could see other chores that needed doing and so on. But enough of that break! I need my connectivity back!
So...moving on. There were a lot of good comments and questions coming in after I posted the essentials. Will sum them up here.
First, a BIG thanks to Emma Todd for writing up a whole blog post for us with some of her tips.
Click on the picture to read it:
Now on to comments:
About rollers and pasta machines:
From Val Tilghman: We can use acrylic brayers for rolling! And the big tip: Michaels and JoAnn accept coupons from other art and craft stores!
From Gina Hockett: PVC pipe works just as well for rolling out clay!
About clay:
From Monique: I mentioned that I thought Kato clay was very hard to work with. And she said this:
The old Kato formula was extremely firm, but I think all brands have gotten a little softer across the board when a certain questionable ingredient was removed. Different brands suit different people. For example, I have really warm hands and I am quite rough with my PC, so Premo gets very soft after this torture. To the point where I have trouble keeping canes from turning to mush
. So it is best to be patient and give Premo lots of resting time between stages, so you will get a better result. Keep a freezer pack at your worktable to cool your ceramic tile, or refrigerate several tiles to always have a cool work surface.
This reminded me of my class. I have freezing cold hands, and the other student had very warm hands. My beads took a while to form, and hers were mush in no time! Teacher suggested her to have a cold water bath next to her to cool her hands down. And me? I guess hot chocolate!
Marlene has sent me a whole document describing various clays and their properties. I will put that up in a separate post. Thank you, Marlene!!
About Wax Paper:
Marlene said this:
When your instructor mention wax paper, I think she must have meant deli paper. Regular wax paper has too heavy a coating which can react with your clay. Also plastic containers or drawers that have a 2 rating on the bottom (all plastic should be rated) are perfectly safe to store Polymer Clay in. Use them all the time.
About Storage:
Emma said this:
I am not picky about my polymer being stored in airtight containers since it doesn't dry out. More important that it be covered. For instance I have some sitting on what amounts to a covered shelf, for years, dust follows gravity, unless you interrupt so as long as it's covered it's good, in my books
Before I get into the post, let me apologize for not following up sooner.
The internet connection at home has decided that it will work only from Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm! Not really sure why, and we (we being the hubby) will hopefully call AT&T today to get it fixed. I was kinda okay with not having internet after work hours. It "felt" different. I could see other chores that needed doing and so on. But enough of that break! I need my connectivity back!
So...moving on. There were a lot of good comments and questions coming in after I posted the essentials. Will sum them up here.
First, a BIG thanks to Emma Todd for writing up a whole blog post for us with some of her tips.
Click on the picture to read it:
Now on to comments:
About rollers and pasta machines:
From Val Tilghman: We can use acrylic brayers for rolling! And the big tip: Michaels and JoAnn accept coupons from other art and craft stores!
From Gina Hockett: PVC pipe works just as well for rolling out clay!
About clay:
From Monique: I mentioned that I thought Kato clay was very hard to work with. And she said this:
The old Kato formula was extremely firm, but I think all brands have gotten a little softer across the board when a certain questionable ingredient was removed. Different brands suit different people. For example, I have really warm hands and I am quite rough with my PC, so Premo gets very soft after this torture. To the point where I have trouble keeping canes from turning to mush
. So it is best to be patient and give Premo lots of resting time between stages, so you will get a better result. Keep a freezer pack at your worktable to cool your ceramic tile, or refrigerate several tiles to always have a cool work surface.This reminded me of my class. I have freezing cold hands, and the other student had very warm hands. My beads took a while to form, and hers were mush in no time! Teacher suggested her to have a cold water bath next to her to cool her hands down. And me? I guess hot chocolate!
Marlene has sent me a whole document describing various clays and their properties. I will put that up in a separate post. Thank you, Marlene!!
About Wax Paper:
Marlene said this:
When your instructor mention wax paper, I think she must have meant deli paper. Regular wax paper has too heavy a coating which can react with your clay. Also plastic containers or drawers that have a 2 rating on the bottom (all plastic should be rated) are perfectly safe to store Polymer Clay in. Use them all the time.
About Storage:
Emma said this:
I am not picky about my polymer being stored in airtight containers since it doesn't dry out. More important that it be covered. For instance I have some sitting on what amounts to a covered shelf, for years, dust follows gravity, unless you interrupt so as long as it's covered it's good, in my books
Kelli said this:
I just store my clay in zip lock baggies with as much of the air removed as possible and so far so good
Kelli actually had a lot of good tips on all the topics, do check them out in the comments section.
About Glazing:
Gina had a question about what glazes to use, and here is Marlene's response:
There are lots of glazes out there, just like brands of clay. Kato glaze is considered to be the "glossiest' and clearest(also the pricest). Sculpey has two glazes, High Gloss, and Satin, which both work well for the "finish" you are looking for. A lot of people sand and buff their creations to a high sheen and don't add anything further, and still others swear by the use of Pledge acrylic Wood Floor Care, which use to be know as Future Finish.
I have also seen Liquid Polymer Clay and nail polish mentioned, but I have not researched it yet. I bet when I do though, I will find what Marlene said :-)
That's that for now, peeps!
I am hoping my pasta machine arrives today!
----------------------------------------------------
Previous posts in the series:
You're doing great Kashmira. I'm following this as a good refresher, because you CAN teach an old dog new tricks...
ReplyDeleteHere's my 2cents on a couple of things.
I use a big glass test tube as a roller, it was something I had on hand and it works great.
I clean up with cheap baby wipes, hands, pasta machine, tiles you name it. Lastly -Nail polish + polymer clay = sticky yucky mess. Keep going girl your a natural :-D
You're really going for this, hey Kashmira?! Good luck with it - I'll be looking forward to seeing what you make. You might want to try Renaissance Wax for another type of finish. And I've learnt a new trick from Emma - rubbing alcohol! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely trying to make this mega plan work! Really hoping I don't lose steam somewhere down the line!
DeleteThanks for the tip! Will add it to the post :)
Claire, what is it you do with the rubbing alcohol?
DeleteI have a goal, and that is to make beads that look like YOURS! :) I LOVE the beads I have gotten from you, absolutely Love!
Norbel...the rubbing alcohol tip is in Emma's post :)
DeleteI am really excited about it! I have been gathering materials and supplies for quite some time now, even bought some tutorials, but just hadn't made the time to really delve into it. You are the catalyst that is pushing me to start playing in earnest. It will be so much fun to do it as a group, I love your idea! I had already bought several books as well, so I got those back out, now I am ready to start! Thank you, Kashmira!!
ReplyDeleteGina H
You are absolutely welcome, Gina!
DeleteThank you, Kashmira! I have more information on what my father-in-law said about the sanding - I took pictures of how he explained it to me... when my mind un-fogs a bit I'll see if I can put something together that makes more sense! lol Really looking forward to playing with the clay again! =)
ReplyDeleteThat will be very helpful, Kelli! Thank you!
DeleteGreat tips. I keep checking in.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kay :)
Delete