Vid #010: For Every Polymer Clay Technique, There’s Usually An Exciting Polymer Clay Tool To Discover As Well:
And this discovery process can take you in all kinds of creative directions. Look to some of the other craft supplies and tools you may have on hand for new ideas.
The first person who used rubber stamps for polymer clay probably just had them laying on the table they were working on, and ended up giving them a try. Now rubber stamping tools and polymer go hand in hand. Same goes for clay texture sheets.
Polymer clay is one of the great “cross-over mediums” that you could ever find. This is why I love it so much and why I think you will too!
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the “Some More Great Tools” preview video shown above, is included in my Polymer Clay Bead Making Fundamentals Course [SEE Video #10 of 39]. In this video I discuss all kinds of items that you may never have thought about including: cutters, custom drilling tools, push molds, ceramic tools, embossing patterns, acrylic sheets, bamboo skewers, shaping templates, etc., etc.
Did you know… at the end of every daily post I make on this web site, there are ‘Tags’. Clicking on these tag links will bring up a list of other related titles that have also been tagged with the same topic. This makes it much easier to explore and find what you may be searching for.
Cindy Lietz’s last blog post..To Make Beads, You will Need a Wet-dry Sanding Kit
I have used texture plates made for fabric and shiva paint sticks to texture polymer clay. I’ve also used the bottoms of interesting “soles” on shoes.
What other unusual things are people out there using to texture your polymer clay with?
The shoe idea is a cool one Katina! Thanks for telling us about it!
I have been using push molds to make little figures and when they are baked they do not harden completely they remain slightly flexible. I used original sculpy, the white kind. I thought it was supposed to harden completely.
It seems that the thinner pieces remain flexible and the thicker pieces get harder. Does everything have to be a certain thickness in order for it to harden correctly?
I don’t use the original Sculpey Camille so I don’t know too much about it. Most of the polymer clay is somewhat flexible when thin though. It is the nature of this particular type of material. You may need to switch to Sculpey Firm or Fimo Puppen if you want a firmer end product.
Have you ever come across texture plates or sheets for clay that have a musical theme, either notes, symbols, or instruments? I’ve searched a bit but have never found any. I have an opportunity to place some jewelry in the gift shop of the local symphony orchestra, but the idea in my head doesn’t seem to translate to the real world availability of the thingies to create it. I hate it when that happens. :)
@Linda: Hi, I’ve seen stamps with notes, instruments, etc. before at Michaels, and other stores. I don’t think I’ve seen a music texture sheet, though, but I probably wouldn’t have noticed unless I was looking for one… There are several musical people here at the site — singers, piano teachers, etc. I hope at least one of them sees this and has some information for you! ~Kat
BTW, are you on Facebook?
to Phaedrakat
No, I’m not on Facebook yet. I keep telling myself I should open an account there to display my beads and clay creations, but so far I haven’t. I guess I’ve been turned off to the idea by having heard too many stories about people cluttering up someone’s page with silly stuff like their Farmville adventures, or inane comments about what they had for lunch.
Linda
Don’t let the games become part of face book, there’s an X beside each game, just click on it.
@Linda: Hi Linda, Elly’s right, you don’t have to be a part of the games, and you can also remove anything that comes through on your wall what you don’t want to see (either the application, or the person themselves, if they post too often.) You also have the decision whether or not to add as many or as few friends as you like. You’re in control! ;D
Thanks to you both, Phaedrakat and Elly. I didn’t know I’d have that much control. Cool. My stepdaughter says she’ll help me set up a Facebook page the next time they visit. Now I have to perfect my photography skills.
Do you know where I can buy a texture sheet for gingko leaves?
@Andi M: Hi Andi,
There are normally two available at Shades of Clay (look for the page where they have their ImpressIt textures; they’re the 1st and the 7th on that page), although only one is in stock at present.
Cool Tools US also has at least one in stock. Their texture tiles normally come in both embossed and indented (or regular and fineline) versions, so they might have another which is out of stock at present. (Cool Tools also has a gingko leaf jewelry shape template; I don’t have that particular pattern but I have most of their others and they’re pretty handy.)
Sorry I can’t give you direct links or page addresses. I tried, but this time even the normal procedure for editing addresses into allowable form didn’t work!
I am desperately searching for texture sheets with a music theme – music notes, treble clefs, instruments etc. Do you have any idea where I might purchase such an item?
Hi Susan, I found a bunch of options here on Amazon (my affiliate Link).