A Super Handy Polymer Clay Tool – The Food Processor
Vid #62: Conditioning polymer clay is easy when your tools have muscles:
Do you have some hard clay that's tough to condition? Or do you have an arthritic condition that sometimes makes it difficult to work with polymer clay by hand? How about carpal tunnel discomfort? Well a great polymer clay tool that can give you lots of muscle in these situations is a handy dandy food processor!
However, once you use a food processor as a polymer clay tool, don't use it for food again. You don't want food residue getting into your polymer clay or polymer clay residue getting into your food.
Look for used food processors at garage sales and thrift shops. The nice thing is that usually the person who gets rid of their food processor wasn't ever using it, so most of them are in excellent condition.
I have an old Braun food processor with a broken bowl that would allow liquids to leak out. Since polymer clay is dry and solid, this broken Braun still works perfect fine for conditioning clay. My machine is large and durable, but a much smaller machine would suffice.
I have suffered from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the past – had surgery on both hands to correct it. So when I'm working on large batches of clay or especially stiff ones, my processor is a real God send.
In future posts I will discuss specific techniques for using the food processor to condition polymer clay, mix colors, and make faux turquoise. So stay tuned! Although it takes up a little space and is another cost, I think that the food processor is a useful and excellent polymer clay tool worth consideration.
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the "Food Processor" preview video shown above, is available for purchase at my Polymer Clay Bead Making Videos Library in the Volume-003 Back Issue Package.
In this "Food Processor Introduction" video tutorial I discuss how to use the food processor as a polymer clay tool as well as how to take care of and clean this versatile machine.
Filed Under: 02: Tools, 04: Handling by 
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Comments on A Super Handy Polymer Clay Tool – The Food Processor
As with any polymer clay tool with sharp blades, take care when cleaning and removing clay from the machine, so that you do not hurt yourself. You need your fingers for making more beads!
Cindy's last blog post..Baking Flat Polymer Clay Sheets – Avoiding Common Problems
My sister has cerebral palsy & this is a wonderful tip for me to help her condition the clay more easily. She's also deaf & mentally handicapped so arts & crafts are a way for her to express herself creatively. So thank you for the wonderfully helpful tip!!!
Abby, I'm sorry somehow I missed replying to this message. I am very glad that the info here is helpful for you! I know how important it is for your sister to be able to express herself through the arts. Many years ago I was a care-aid in a residential home for mentally handicapped people. It is wonderful to see a persons face light up when they are creating art, when so many other things can be difficult to do. Your sister is a lucky woman to have you, as you are lucky to get the opportunity to spend time with her.
Let me know if there is anything I can help you girls with.
Cindy,
I am making rosary beads too from flowers. Is there any product out there, that I can use as a coating on the beads instead of sanding and buffing. I'd really appreciate your help.
I love your web site…you go girl!!!!!
Diane
Hi Diane, thanks for your comment! You can use Future Floor Finish or Varathane to coat you beads if you like. Be extra careful to avoid fingerprints and marks before baking because a shiny coating will accentuate any defects. Click the link by my name for more info on finishes.