Comments on: Helpful Color Tips To Remember When Making Polymer Clay Canes

By: Cindy Lietz@Makins Extruder

Cindy Lietz@Makins Extruder — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:59:41 +0000

Which Brand are you using?

By: j frederick

j frederick — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:44:54 +0000

cindy i have a problem with the new transparent clays since they changed them I don't get get the nice contrast i used to get trying to make like a lace with transparent and white is there any way to remedy this
thanks for your input

By: Cindy Lietz@Rock Polisher for Polymer Clay

Cindy Lietz@Rock Polisher for Polymer Clay — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:34:41 +0000

@Jackie: Love the damp muslin idea… will have to try that! Thanks for passing that on. To be honest, I have not been able to get the same shine on my beads with a tumbler alone, that I can by sanding and buffing. However, I have found the tumbler saves a lot of time with the sanding of smaller beads. Click the link by my name and read deep into the comments for lots of ideas on tumbling.

@Monica: I think I know what you mean about ribbons. They could still work even if they seem a little rippled they will flatten out on the cane. You can also lighten your colors if they seem to get too dark once reduced. Hope that helps. Ask me more if you still need more help.

By: Monica Stockton

Monica Stockton — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:56:58 +0000

Cindy,

I have a question about the layers of black you mentioned. How thin do you make your layers? If I go too thin, the clay turns into a ribbon – unevenly rolled. [Hard to describe] I also have a problem with the black just taking over my cane. I tried the new teardrop method with just a basic rainbow and added black. The result was a very dark cane. Help!

Thanks!
MO

By: JackieB

JackieB — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:52:51 +0000

I recently tried a little tip using a buffing wheel I wanted to share. Not sure if you had posted this before. I am newer to polymer clay. I dampened the muslin wheel on my buffing machine just slightly with a wet wash cloth, just dabbed wet wash cloth onto the muslin wheel and then buffed my beads. WOW, what a difference using a slightly damp wheel. They shine like glass! (Kato Clay, hand sanded through various grits first) No need for any varnish wich can chip or scratch off the beads. Look as glossy as my varnished beads. A local bead shop wants to purchase my beads but was concerned with the varnish finish. (I used Flecto Varithane or Future, I was able to scratch some of it off the beads with hard scratches of my finger nails)

Wanted to know if anyone has had the same glassy results with a rock tumbler for those smaller beads that are harder to hand buff? Beads are flying everywhere! How long does the rock tumbler run to shine up the beads? Looking to purchase that next… Thanks for the advice.

Love the site…now a library member, especially now that I am layed off from my job. Hoping for work soon to support my polymer clay habit….it has been very therapeutic. Or maybe sell a few beads now that I am getting better at the canes. :)

By: Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Projects Using Scrap Clay

Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Projects Using Scrap Clay — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:01:19 +0000

Thank you seedplanter! I'm glad to hear that none of your clay gets wasted. There is almost always something you can do with your leftovers and mistakes, if you just think creatively!

By: Bonnie Bruno

Bonnie Bruno — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:39:29 +0000

Great idea! I save every little dab of scrap clay. Nothing is wasted. That's one of the things I love about this medium. Everything gets used.

Thanks, Cindy, for such a fabulous website. I've learned so much over the past couple of months from visiting here.

By: Cindy Lietz@Shiny Beads | Polymer Clay Gloss Finish

Cindy Lietz@Shiny Beads | Polymer Clay Gloss Finish — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:27:37 +0000

Here's another tip for you. A great way to use up those mud colors you've accidentally mixed, is to use them in place of black to outline and define the colors in your cane designs.