#3 Update: Facebook Polymer Clay Contest: Carolyn-F with 16 Points

Cindy and Doug, thanks so much for taking the time to design a fun way for folks here to showcase their wonderful work. I know it takes a lot of time to get all on board with new formats and systems, but, once that’s done, then it’s just a glorious picture share for all of us to oogle either here, or on Facebook.

What a great way for everyone to show the results of learning new techniques here. Inspired for us to challenge our creativity.

I love it.

Just Checking…. Is this contest over ? I haven’t seen an announcement yet as to who won.

Hi Cindy receive regards from Guadalajara méxico, I´m so happy receiving my weekely tutorial, I´ve done beautiful things. I think that no one else do this down here, I don´t know anyone who works with polymer clay to make beads, in fact ther is only one place wher I can find polymery clay and it is sculpey III which I know is not the best to work with, but is has worked ok.

My question is thas when I put a gloss glaze (triple thick from Deco Art), some times it ends sticky and my beads stick to each other. A friend of mine is going to USA and I would like to know which one to ask her to bring it to me. Some time ago I saw one that you recomended but I can´t find it in your blog, was some used for wood, could you please tell me which one is??? thank you so much for this and for all your beautifull and usefull ideas.

Marcela Saldaña

@Marela Saldaña: Hi Marela, welcome! Happy to meet a clayer from Mexico! I’m so happy to hear that you are enjoying your videos. I love them so much, too! I am sorry that there aren’t many clay products available to you, though. Perhaps as you and your polymer clay beads become famous, everyone will demand clay and supplies so they can copy your art. Then the stores will be forced to carry clay supplies! ;-)

The wood finish you read about is called Varathane, and there are several types. You want the interior, water-based kind — called Rust Oleum Varathane Diamond Polyurethane Interior (Water-Based.) The link takes you to an article with a photo of the product (to show your friend.) There’s also a link to sellers on Amazon. Varathane’s available in many places, like home improvement stores and Walmart; there shouldn’t be any trouble finding it. Just make sure your friend gets the right one for you, because the are other types (oil-based, outdoor types) are NOT compatible with polymer clay.

This article has some other finishes you may want to try, as well. Future floor finish is also very good and economical (called “Pledge with Future Shine” now,) and the glazes made by the clay manufacturers have improved quite a bit. Studio by Sculpey glossy or satin glaze is one great example…and I’ve been hearing good things about Fimo’s glossy glaze, as well. Here are a couple articles about the Future floor wax, which is now called “Pledge with Future Shine”, in case you want to read about that product, too:

Finishing Polymer Clay Bead
Future Floor Polish for Polymer Clay

Try reading the comments underneath the articles, too…they often have additional information that isn’t found in the original post…

Best of luck to you, Marela! ~Kat

Thank you so much for your answer, it was very useful. I don´t know if my friend is going to be able to bring it to me because of all the flight regulations, I hope she does. I just found here the oil based one and as I read it is not compatible I did not buy it, There are other brands water based but I was confused because the store person told me that it may washout if my beads got wet, but maybe I´ll try it anyway in case my friends could not bring it to me.

Thank you again and hugs from Guadalajara México and if you are planning to come to Guadalajara México please contact me because I´ll be glad to have you get you to know my city,

Marcela

@Judy: I’m surprised one of our creative members didn’t jump in here to help you with this! There are probably lots of ways to make a cinnamon roll with clay. One way it seems like you could do it, would be to start with a long log/strip of “browned dough-colored” clay. You’d need something like a dark embossing powder, grated mud clay or oil pastels — or maybe real cinnamon — mixed in to look more realistic. You’d need to sprinkle the embossing powder or whatever “cinnamon mixture” on one inside edge of the log & roll it up into a cinnamon roll…letting the ‘cinnamon mixture’ show between the swirls of the delicious pastry. :D (I just thought, you might also be able to use tinted TLS for the cinnamon mixture, or maybe inks to ‘darken’ those ‘inside edges’ a little — probably have to experiment.)

Next you need glaze…most likely involves liquid clay. There are some icing recipes on one of the other threads…but maybe not quite right for these rolls. There are lots of other recipes out on the web, though…especially with the popular food charms & doll house goodies. I know Catalina has made some cute dollhouse items, and probably some of you others, too. I’ll just leave this as a ‘bump’…and hope someone else helps Judy. That is, if she hasn’t baked those delicious cinnamon rolls already…from a recipe of her own! ;D