Starter Tools for Basic Polymer Clay Projects

Is it possible to use a fondant roller as a replacement for an acrylic clay roller? The price seems to be a few dollars cheaper just to perform the same function,but I didn't know if the materials used to make the rollers are different or if you must have a clear roller to roll your clay out with.
Thanks so much for any advice!

Hi Cassandra, great question! I've seen those fondant rollers and I think they should work fine. My only concern is whether or not the plastic in the roller is compatible with the polymer clay. It should be because most food safe plastics are, but I haven't tried it to make sure.

If you do use one, test a small area to see if the clay sticks to it and starts to bond with the roller. If it does, you can still use it but will have to make sure to wipe the roller regularily with a baby wipe to keep the surface from getting marred.

Cindy's last post..Make Polymer Clay Jewelry Using Handmade Beads and Cane Slices

Hi Cindy, I am getting my supplies together to start playing with clay in December. I have purchased your beginners video course and see that I need to come up with sandpaper and buffing cloths. I have checked on eBay for these items. I found the sandpaper but they come in 50 sheet purchases. I don't need THAT much. Where is another good place to check? There is also a neat looking buffing cloth for shoes on eBay. It's canvas on one side and flannel on the other. Would this work for buffing? Thanks and I love your tutorials. They have been very helpful in getting me prepared.

Hi Cori,

You're right you don't need that much sandpaper, at least not all at once! Instead try Walmart, Home Depot or any building or auto supply store. You can usually find them either one sheet at a time or in small multi-packs. Make sure to get the wet/dry sandpaper though cause the regular stuff will fall apart when you sand with water. The auto painting section usually has the higher grits and the better quality papers, so look there.

The buffing cloth sounds interesting, it should work. A piece of white craft felt, white denim or flannel will work too if you want to use that instead.

Hi Cindy,

I would really like to ask how do you make very fine details on polymer clay. I'm having a hard time creating all those small nooks and clean lines.

Something like these…
orchid-jewelry.com/SZS-O-033pd.html

I bought some tools specifically for polymer clay details but it doesn't seem to do a good job. The needle is too thick and sewing needles are incredibly hard to navigate.

Can you please suggest any technique or tools that would make fine details effectively?

Advanced thanks!

Hi Alessa! The orchids you referenced are made of Silver Art Clay which will give you a different effect in the details you will get with polymer clay.

However, you should be able to get something similar if you use a stiff clay such as Fimo Classic or an older block of Premo. Sculpey III is way to soft to get much detail in the surface, so if you are using that clay you will have problems.

Also if you would like to use a sewing needle but it is too small to deal with, you can make a handle for it with clay and bake it, to make your own custom tool.

You could also try some of the sculpting tools you would find in the ceramic and pottery section of a craft store. They may work better for you than the ones in the polymer clay aisle.

Hope that helps!

Hi Cindy,

I had been using polymer clay for about a year when I joined in Dec. 2009. At first I didn't think the Beginner's Course would be of much help, but after watching several of your other videos and picking up a few tips I decided to purchase it. I was glad I did. Again, I picked up some tips that improved my work greatly and made my life easier.
Thanks!

Coral Young