August 10, 2008
Make Polymer Clay Bathroom Knobs | Glass Beads | Clay Color Mixing
1) Clay covered decorative knobs and handles to use on bathroom closet and cupboard doors.
2) Embedding glass bead pieces into Fimo polymer clay.
3) Organizing your polyclay color mixing samples.
All three of the following questions were sent in by Susie Edwards of Olympia, WA.
Q-1: I am wanting to cover a wood door knob for a bi-fold door in my bathroom. Is this doable? ~Susie Edwards
A-1: As far as covering wood with polymer clay, it is do-able but there are a few problems you can run into. The first is that since wood is porous, it absorbs moisture. This means it will expand and contract with the moisture changes in the air.
Polymer clay is non-porous and does not expand and contract. So if there is a hard non-expanding layer of poly clay over a constantly expanding layer of wood, the hard clay layer will crack and pop off.
To avoid this you can seal the wood first with a waterproof white glue like Weld-Bond. If you're careful to get everywhere it will work.
But an even better solution is to cover a knob that is non-porous, such as glass, ceramic or metal.
Q-2: As it is a fairly girly bathroom I would like to use some Rhinestones on it. Would I add them after I bake it and before I seal it (thinking that the sealing would hold them on a bit better). Or would they live through the toaster oven? How about Bugle Beads am I out of luck on that one? I would appreciate any suggestions you might have in this. ~Susie Edwards
A-2: As far as the glass beads, crystals and bugle beads go, they can be added no problem. Push them into the clay and bake. Then pop them out so that you can more easily sand, polish and seal the clay. Finally, glue the beads back into their original dents or impressions in the baked clay.
The best glue to use is Krazy glue or another brand of super glue. Don't use too much though because any surplus that splashes out will leave a foggy stain on the beads and clay!
Finishes and sealers never work to hold pieces in, except in the case of something super thick like resin or embossing powders. But that's a whole 'nother topic.
Q-3: I loved your idea of making the sample pills, but you didn't explain what you stored your sample pills in and how you kept them separate, and how you knew what the manufacture and color was do you have a system that works or is it just what works best for each person? Thanks ever so much I really appreciate it. ~Susie Edwards
A-3: For the little color sample 'pills' I discuss in the one of my free polymer clay color mixing video tutorials, you can glue them in a book or a recipe card with the names of the clay if you like.
If you make them larger you can write the names of the clay you used right on the sample with a fine tip permanent pen.
Or you can just throw them in a bowl like I do. With experience you get a feel for colors and don't necessarily have to write everything down. But definitely do what works best for you.
To Susie and everyone else reading this: If you have any more questions on how to make polymer clay bathroom knobs; embedding glass beads into Fimo; Or Keeping track of your clay color mixing samples; Then feel free to leave a comment below and I promise to respond.
Spread the Word!
Filed under 04: Handling, 08: Color Theory, 10: Finishing by Cindy Lietz
Comments on Make Polymer Clay Bathroom Knobs | Glass Beads | Clay Color Mixing »
If you have a question you would like answered in an upcoming Q+A article like the one above, contact me here: Ask The Polymer Clay Tutor
Cindy,
Thanks ever so much … your answers helped SOOOO VERY MUCH! It can all be a bit confusing for novice … I really appreciate your site … keep up the GREAT WORK!
You are very welcome Susie! Anything else I can help you with?
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Scallop Shell Pendant Jewelry by Polymer Clay Artist Tina Holden
I'm a newbee,
I have been wanting to fashion candy and have really gotton so frustrated that I can't find a site, book, anything to teach me how to do it. What little I have found is not very good as far as enough information for someone as talented as myself! I know the information is out there somewhere. Miniature candies is what I would love to learn how to make. Can you direct me to some information on how to make clay minature candy?
Thank you
Hi Yolanda - Are you talking tiny miniature candies for doll houses or miniature candy like these Chocolate Jewelry Earrings? Let's continue this conversation over at the Chocolate Earrings article.
Hi,
thank you so much for getting back so quickly. I'm sorry, I was referring to the dollhouse miniature size candy.I've been able to find many books on working with fimo but not anything on miniature dollhouse size candy.
I've looked for classes in my area but this one horse town lacks many things.
agian thank you for your respons.
Yolanda… I currently do not have any info on making tiny dollhouse miniatures but there is a lady out of the UK named Angie Scarr that does. She makes tiny fruits and vegetables and even some tiny Allsorts licorice candies that may interest you. I wrote about her in a previous post on Fimo Nail Art and if you read that post you will see the link to her site there.
If you want to learn how to work with polymer clay, make sure to spend some time on this blog looking around. There's plenty of tips, techniques and tutorials. There is also lots of Polymer Clay Q+A where I answer questions that readers send into me. Hope that helps!
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Another Bird Necklace Pendant | Etsy Tips For Your Jewelry Business
I made a pendant of seedbeads using fireline. I going to put a polished rock in the center and I want to make a backing of polymer clay to attach it to so it won't be floppy. I plan on using TLS to attach the pendant to the clay.
Question is: Can I bake the whole thing, clay, seedbeads and all?
I wouldn't bake your seed beads and pendant together. The fireline is plastic based and may melt. I'm not positive on that, but it would make a heck of a mess if it did.
You can glue everything together after it's baked instead if you want. I would use a Krazy Glue for that.
Let me know how it turns out!
Hi Cindy. Could you tell me which polymer would give the finest of details. I'm helping a lady try to make some foxgloves leaves and thought you could help. I'm Nikki of Witch and Wizard miniatures and you could let me know which is best through my blog if you like. You will also see the ladies blog though one of my recent posts.
With thanks… Nikki
Hi Nikki! The firmer clays like Fimo Classic and Kato Polyclay give the best details. Sculpey II would be the the worst since it is too soft. Premo is OK if you have a firm block but some of the new stuff is too soft so watch out that. You can always leach out some of the plasticizers to make it firmer though. Click the link by my name for more info on that.