October 27, 2008
Here's a "Never Throw That Clay Away" Polymer Clay Projects List
What To Do When Your Pile of Scrap Polymer Clay Goes From Mounds To Mountains:
In another blog comment earlier today, Sam wrote this… "Wow, so many amazing responses. I have been working with polymer clay for about 15 years now and am still as addicted as I was the first time I laid eyes on it. I have tried so many techniques over the years. Your videos and tips are an inspiration to all. I check your blog daily for the latest tip,pearl of wisdom. I have sold many pieces of work lately to friends and coworkers and seem to have hit on a great design. Problems..how to keep the idea fresh? How to keep the color combinations current? How to fully mix and match professional colours? and the age old Do we just bite the bullet and eventually throw out some of that old scrap clay when the mounds turn into mountains?" ~Sam [Original comment posted here: Recipe Cards for Mixing Polymer Clay Colors]
Yikes Sam!! Don't throw out that clay. I don't have time right now to address all of the challenges you listed, but here's some ideas of what you can do with your Scrap Polymer Clay…
- Make molds.
- Make base beads that will get wrapped in cane slices or mokume gane slices.
- Chop up in food processor and make cool blends for faux stone.
- Make beautiful muds for wrapping canes.
- Make into marbled clay for backgrounds in canes.
- Bunch like colors and mix for a new shade. All blues and greens together for example.
- Add mica powders for new metallic colors.
- Mix with black to create new softer warmer black.
- Mix with white and get beautiful grays and taupes.
- Gather in a ball and take slices off it for backgrounds and beads.
- Roll chunks of scrap clay into lentil beads. Very cool results.
- Cut balls of scraps in half and put cut sides next to each other to get mirror image.
- Roll into a log and twist for neat candy cane striped beads.
- Make into beads you want to paint.
- Layer it into mokume gane.
- Read this article about Polymer Clay Projects Using Scrap Clay
- Donate it.
- Send to ME! ;-)
All kidding aside, there is never a good reason to throw out your clay! It is very valuable and can be used right to the last crumble. Some of these techniques sound like they would be good videos to add to the Polymer Clay Tutor Library… What do you think guys? Would you like me to make some video tutorials on what to do with your scrap clay and add them to the membership site? Let me know below!
Spread the Word!
Filed under 03: Supplies, 05: Techniques by Cindy Lietz
Comments on Here's a "Never Throw That Clay Away" Polymer Clay Projects List »
I love all these suggestions! (especially the "send it to me!" lol)
Some sculptures I have made were created from left over clay because I had accumulated such a large amount.
After baking, I gessoed and then applied a couple of coats of acrylic paint.
I also found that mica powders could cover raw clay really well, so a molded piece of a yucky color could end up with a beautiful metallic finish.
I just do not think there is such a thing as scrap clay!
You are so right Shannon… there is no such thing as scrap clay… or at least there shouldn't be from now on.
Great suggestion for sculpting with it. Also the mica on the outside of a molded piece is a good idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
Another thing that I've done with scrap clay is to mix it together until I get a nice earthy color. Then I impress it into a deeply impressed rubber stamp (my favorite is the big paisley stamp from Lisa Pavelka) then cut out a shape with a cookie cutter (my favorite is a cross from Wilton). Once it is baked, I dry brush it with different colors of metallic acrylic paint to give it a faux raku look. Just too cool, and a great seller!
Cindy and all,
Wow…I am speechless.Ask and you will receive in spades!!Thank you so much for all the creative ideas.Now if I only had more time to jump into the mountain.Yes Cindy I have decided to keep it,but if it starts to take over the house………
@Arlene: That sounds gorgeous! Great way to use up that clay!
@Sam: You are so welcome! I was being cheeky about sending your scrap clay my way! Just hate the thought of throwing it out, when there are so many cool things to do with it. Glad you had procrastinated on that!
Too much scrap clay! Don't throw it away put it up on ebay, I have bought a lot of scrap clay and cane ends that I now have a huge draw full to play with. All sorts of possibilities like Natasha beads and fillers to wrap canes around, mud clay looks gorgeous with mica powders, also scraps are good for backing on to a pendants, wall hangings, etc., etc….. You could perhaps also donate to a children's hospital, local school or rehabilitation center, etc.
Sounds like you got a great deal Charlotte! I am always surprised when people sell their scraps. I never seem to have any left. I'm always using them up on one of these projects!