Creative Techniques for Polymer Clay Inclusions
Vid #49: Shavings From Crayola Crayons Can be Mixed Into Polymer Clay For A Very Cool Effect:
The basic definition of a polymer clay inclusion is actually pretty self explanatory. Simply put, you just add or include creative things into your clay mixes and recipes. The resulting beads you make with these inclusions can turn out to be very stunning and gorgeous.
I often mix shavings from crayola crayons into translucent clay. For a greater depth of color in the finished beads, use several shades of the same crayon color, as well as a variety of sizes of shavings. Fine shavings melt first and bleed into the translucent polymer clay. Courser shavings on the other hand, leave behind stronger or more dominant flecks and distinguished markings.
I know you will have tons of fun experimenting with all kinds of polymer clay inclusions. The unlimited number of creative possibilities will keep you going for a long long time.
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the "Crayon Shaving Inclusion" preview video shown above, is part of a free bonus package that I give away as a special promotion with the purchase of my Polymer Clay Bead Making Fundamentals Course. In this video I demonstrate how to use various sizes of crayon shavings to achieve different effects. I also discuss:
- What brands of polymer clay work best for inclusion projects.
- How the melting point of the crayon wax affects your beads.
- Tips on how to protect your bead rack during the baking process.
- And much more.
Filed Under: 02: Tools, 05: Techniques by Comment. 
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Comments on Creative Techniques for Polymer Clay Inclusions
8:46 pm
Using different shades of green crayon shavings in polymer clay inclusions is one of the best ways to make faux jade beads that can look very much like the real thing.
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Spice Beads and the Polymer Clay Inclusion Technique
9:19 am
I hadn't thought of this before. Great idea. I can't wait to try it.
3:29 pm
If you try it Cynister, send me pictures!!
Cindy's last blog post..Color Mixing Polymer Clay – Leaf Green Recipe Ideas
4:45 am
Wow! How cool is this!?! :) OK…my imagination is rockin' and rollin' and shavin' and colorin' and squishin' and bakin'!!! Thanks for the great ideas!!!
Oh, and for letting us know how not to get dripped on, as well:)
Cindy E.
4:15 pm
Hi Cindy, I'm very new to the polymer clay bead making community and was wondering is there a way to add something like color powders to the clay before baking and if so what brands are the best?
4:33 pm
Hi Paul – There are tons of different powdered pigments and mica powders that can be added to polymer clay. Experiment to your hearts content, since pretty much everything works here. I've even used loose powdered eyeshadow with great results. Pearl-Ex has some very nice powders that you can find in stores like Michaels.
8:21 pm
Just one more question, does added these powdered pigments work better with translucent clay? What's the effect, if any, to adding the pigments to colored clay?
9:02 pm
Hi Cindy it's me again with another question. Where can I find a small round cookie cutter to shape small polymer clay beads?
5:32 pm
Great questions Paul! You can add the pigments to either translucent or opaque clays quite effectively. In the colored clay the powders will give the clay a mica or metallic look to the clay.
As far as cutters I use the little cutters from Amaco, called Polycutters. Sometimes they have them in the Makins Air Dry clay section rather than the polymer clay section in Michaels.
9:39 am
When I use the powders over a patterned bead they cover any design I have on the bead the pearl Ex powder changes the bead and sometimes I lose the pattern, it just gets covered over by the PEx and turns it that colour. Can you tell me how to or where I use them?
Do I varnish the patterned bead before I use Pearl Ex powders and do I varnish again after? Hope you can see what I mean.
Thanks, Elizabeth.
3:38 pm
I'm not sure what you mean exactly Elizabeth. Do you mean the Pearl Ex covers up the design on a cane bead or something like that?
I like to use Pearl Ex powders on rubber stamped beads, in the raku technique and to highlight texture on the beads. I put it on raw clay then bake and coat with Future Floor Finish after that.
If I didn't quite answer your question, maybe you could ask me in another way.
I wrote about Pearl Ex in another post if your want more information. Just click the link by my name to go there.
12:49 am
Hehe, I couldn't help but notice it says "Willow Lietz" on the top of your crayon box. Did you steal your daughters Crayolas?!
10:10 am
You know I did! ;-)
7:45 am
Hi Cindy,
I really enjoyed the video. You have taught me so many things in such a short time since I have subscribed to you. I looking for instruction on using inks and dyes with the polymer clay but could not find any. If you have them, could you direct me to them. Thanks again for all your instruction, you are such a great teacher and you cover all bases as you teach.
Ifama
12:05 pm
Thanks Ifama for the very kind words. There is lots of information about inks and dyes here at the blog. To find the articles use the search box at the top of the page. Simple type in a single keyword at time (like inks) and you will get a long list of articles to read.
10:38 am
Cindy,
Many thanks to you for your valuable lessons.
Please pencils are wax?
And the pasta is translucent or white?
thanks
embrace
Mariangela (from Italy)
10:45 am
H Mariangela,
Welcome to you and all of the other members from Italia. Although there is a bit of a language difference, it is very nice to see that my video lessons are providing you with value.
To answer your questions.
1) Yes the crayons (pencils) are wax.
2) Yes the clay is translucent.
Embrace (hugs :-)
~Cindy
7:54 am
Thank you Cindy, you are very kind and professional embrace of heart
Mariangela