Comments on: Using Polymer Clay Faux Wood To Fix a Broken Kids Pocket Knife

By: Phaedrakat

Phaedrakat — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:14:57 +0000

@Chuck Baldock: Hi Chuck, I don’t know anything about laser machines, but I thought I’d try to see if I could help by providing some general clay info. It might be enough, at least for now, so you’ll know if your idea is possible or if you need to ask further questions.

Polymer Clay is a hard plastic when cured, although it can be carved without much difficulty using a sharp tool. You wouldn’t need a machine to create schrimshaw art work, but if you’ve got one…?

If the laser machine can be used on plastics, then it shouldn’t be a problem to use it on cured clay. Although if the laser produces heat, that could cause burning, or fumes that shouldn’t be inhaled. As for using it on uncured clay, that would also depend on whether heat is created. If the laser makes the clay hot, it would start curing the clay in the lasered spot. Then you would have difficulty forming the clay into the shapes you want.

I hope that helps you some…please ask more questions if you like, and Cindy or someone who actually knows what a laser machine is can help! LOL :~) Good luck, Kat

By: Chuck Baldock

Chuck Baldock — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:33:44 +0000

After firing, using a laser machine, can the polymer have a raster or vector picture drawn on it? Could this also be done before firing.

I want to make faux ivory pistol grips, using the laser to give the appearance of schrimshaw art work

Thank you.

By: Phaedrakat

Phaedrakat — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:05:05 +0000

Oh, nice colors! Those are perfect for faux wood!

Cindy, I am going to email the PCC guy. That is wrong, closing the post like that and leaving it for all to see. No way to “stand up” for yourself, and no way for us to stand up for you! I’ll let you know if I get a reply…

By: Cindy Lietz@Faux Wood Polymer Clay Color Recipes

Cindy Lietz@Faux Wood Polymer Clay Color Recipes — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:08:03 +0000

@phaedrakat: cute kitties in your gravatar :-) I fixed the links for you. Thanks for addressing Sandra Henry’s question. And regarding PCC, no he never did respond :-(

@Sandra: There are some wood color recipes in Vol-007 at the members library. See link by my name.

By: phaedrakat

phaedrakat — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:40:15 +0000

Ooops, sorry for the live link in there, Cindy. I think I’ll stop trying to browse through here with so many kids around. Very hectic! I just wanted to tell you how cool this faux wood looks on your son’s knife!

I didn’t know about that posting at Polymer clay Central. I went over and took a look — ooh, that makes me mad! That’s not very nice; did you ever hear get an answer to your email, or hear anything back? A lot of time has passed. Is it too late for me to email him with my own feelings on the subject?

By: phaedrakat

phaedrakat — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:32:12 +0000

Hi Sandra, I don't think Cindy has done a tut on Faux Wood; but she might have it on her list. In the meantime, you could manipulate the Faux Bone/Ivory technique from Vol. 019 and adjust the colors used to make a pretty decent faux wood. Check out the color recipes or create your own wood color mixes with raw sienna, burnt umber, black, ecru, etc.

By: Sandra Henry

Sandra Henry — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:27:46 +0000

Cindy I would like to make my polymer clay look like different kinds of wood. Do you have any tutorials for oak, walnut, cherry, maple? by the way, I love your site, I am on it all the time.

By: Cindy Lietz@How To Make Faux Turquoise Beads

Cindy Lietz@How To Make Faux Turquoise Beads — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:12:21 +0000

CraftyLinda, your cane projects sound cool. Make sure to take pictures when they’re finished!

Thank you for your support! It means a lot to me!

By: CraftyLinda

CraftyLinda — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:35:35 +0000

Cindy, I haven’t decided yet how I am going to do the walking stick. But I am thinking about having it be something I can take off. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about baking.
I also have a small stick that I got while in AL. It has a spiral grove around it where a vine had grown. I am thinking about making a dragons head and have the body wrap around in that grove. This one is short enough that with a little work I think I sould get it in my regular oven. I haven’t tried that yet.
I know what they did to you over at the Polymer Clay Central Form and I thought the stunk. We just didn’t know you well enough I guess. But the thing is he ask for comments so he should have expected a lot.
Don’t let it get you down. Those of us who know you didn’t think anything of it. We all still think you have a good site. It is his loss if he doesn’t check it out for himself.
You have a great day, Hon. Linda

By: Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Central Forum

Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Central Forum — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:11:13 +0000

Thank you CraftyLinda for your comments!

I am very curious about how you are planning to bake the walking stick because of the size? Will your clay piece be removable? Baked separately? Glued on? Sounds like a fun project.

You’re very welcome about the “catch up links” for the bonus recipes! The holidays are always busy and I knew that more than a few subscribers would appreciate receiving those handy links.

And thanks for posting about me over at the Polymer Clay Central Forum. But with all of the supportive feedback that happened over there, the moderators unfortunately jumped to conclusions about the legitimacy of the comments.

Not only was the thread shut down, but I was also accused of setting up multiple ID’s and “shilling” the thread with fake testimonials. Needless to say I was shocked by how the matter was handled. I sent an email to the fellow that shut down the thread, telling him so. He has not responded yet.

I’ve also been informed that several others took it upon themselves to email the fellow… letting him know that nothing inappropriate was happening at that thread. Setting the record straight. It would be nice to see a retraction posted for the allegations that were made. Having all this distrust flying around does not look good on anyone!

Finally, for everyone else who commented so sweetly at that PCC forum thread, thank you so much!! I am very proud and honored that you feel I am bringing genuine value to the polymer clay community.