Fire & Ice Kitchen Utensils | Polymer Tutorial Vol-082

6 Videos #633 to #638: A home decor project that will stretch your skills beyond just making jewelry. Perfect for gift giving ideas.

Over the Christmas holidays, our family spent time at my parents for the festivities. While we were there, there was lots of food served and of course we needed utensils to serve it.

I had made a pumpkin pie and when digging around in my parents cutlery drawers looking for a pie server, I found a pretty set with polymer clay handles made by moi quite a few years ago. It reminded me that I have not yet taught you guys how to use polymer clay in more of a utilitarian situation… such as with kitchen utensils!

So… I asked my parents if I could borrow their pieces for a little while, to show as samples in this month’s PcT tutorial. You will see them in the intro video below.

For this tutorial, I wanted to teach you how to not only make two different surface techniques that can be used in an unlimited number of situations… from making utensils, kitchen accessories and jewelry… but I also wanted to teach you how to cover materials such as glass and metal with polymer clay… and talk about the challenges that those materials can present.

I hope you enjoy this tutorial series, and use it as a jumping off point for all kinds of creative projects!

Posted just below is a Sneak Peak and overview of my Fire & Ice Kitchen Utensils Tutorial. The rest of the 6 part video series will be posted tomorrow (Friday, March 6, 2015) in Vol-082 at the Polymer Clay Tutor Library.

BTW, if this Fire & Ice Polymer Clay Tutorial looks exciting to you, please do click that YouTube Like button. Many of you have been giving the Thumbs Up to the weekly YouTube videos, which is great… Thank You! However, these monthly intro clips need some love as well. When they don’t get as many likes, it makes it look like they are not appreciated as much… which surely can’t be true with all the nice comments you all leave :)

Vol-082-1: Video #633: Introduction: In this 6 part video tutorial series, you will learn how to use translucent and metallic polymer clays, inks, and metal leaf to create two different exciting techniques. One that looks like fire, and the other like ice. Then you will use these fire and ice clay blocks to create colorful translucent sheets of polymer that you can wrap around glass salt and pepper shakers, kitchen utensils or whatever else you would like to use these cool looking surface techniques (bottles of hope maybe). The things you learn in the tutorial can also be transferred to other projects such as home decor items and jewelry. You’ll be surprised how much is packed into this awesome tutorial.

Vol-082-2: Video #634:
Ink And Leaf:

In this video, I’ll teach all about how to make the mokume gane style polymer clay fire and ice cane, or slab as some call it, by blending alcohol inks into translucent polymer clay and layering with metal leaf and metallic clays. The colors choices will give the warm look of fire, as well as the cool look of ice. But you could use any color combination you choose, to come up with your own look as well!

Vol-082-3: Video #635:
Cutting, Stacking & Rolling:

In this video, I will teach you how to impress your stacks of layered clay, using inks and metal leaf, to create the unique look of fire and ice. I will then show you how to compress, shape, slice and roll your stack until you have a workable sheet of color, design and dimension. These neat looking sheets of clay will be used to make the kitchen utensils and accessories shown in the intro video, but can also be used in many other projects as well. Lots of options here.

Vol-082-4: Video #636:
Covering Glass Shakers:

In this video I will share with you the secrets to adding a paper thin sheet of polymer clay to a glass salt and pepper shaker, or any other glass item you desire. I’ll show you tips and tricks for creating a seamless, bubble free, and blemish free piece, that will not only turn out beautiful, but professional looking as well. When done using these simple techniques, your glass shakers will look as though the design was painted or enameled right onto the surface of the glass.

Vol-082-5: Video #637:
Covering Utensil Handles:

In this video you will discover the right way to add polymer clay to metal cutlery and utensils. The first step is to learn why it is important to build the right base for your piece, and to make sure that it is properly shaped and finished before even adding your special clay veneer. You will then understand why multiple baking steps will be necessary. Next you will learn the tips and tricks for adding a flawless layer of colored translucent clay to your utensil, and you will find out how to baking your pieces to achieve professional looking results every time.

Vol-082-6: Video #638:
Sanding and Finishing:

In this video you will find out what’s needed to beautifully finish your pieces. From giving it a good sanding and buffing… to using Renaissance Wax as a final coating. Your guests will be impressed with the kitchen accessories that you create. These are items that you will definitely be proud to give away as gifts to your friends and relatives. I’ll also talk about the proper care and washing instructions for these polymer clay utensils, so they will be last for years to come. Now you can always use these techniques for jewelry projects, but won’t it be nice to finally bring some of your your polymer into the kitchen? I hope yo have fun with this one… and please do share your pictures with me!!!

Other Suggested Supplies:

• Rubbing Alcohol.
• Paper Towel.
• All Metal Serving Utensils.
• Glass Salt and Pepper Shakers.
• Wet/Dry Sandpaper. 220 grit,400 grit, 600 grit, 800 grit and 1000 grit (or other fine sanding system you prefer).
• Soft cotton cloth for applying wax.
• Baking tray with foil pan or card stock for tenting.
• Old credit card or gift card.

By the way, many of the “shopping” links I provide for the various tools and supplies used in my tutorials, are “affiliate” resources. That means companies like Amazon and the other suppliers I refer, pay me a small commission if you click on the links and end up making a purchase at their site. It’s not a lot, but every little bit helps in keeping the cost of my tutorials down. And, the prices for products that you may purchase through my links, are exactly the same as what you would normally pay, even if it is a “sale” price. So please feel free to click whenever you need to pick up a few things for your studio. Thanks so much for your support.

The full video series for the Fire & Ice Kitchen Utensils Tutorial described above, is available in Vol-082 at the Polymer Clay Library.

If you would like to receive 3 free beginner videos right now, plus some free color recipes that get sent out each week in my Friday email newsletter, please click this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials

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… Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my monthly library tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.

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I’ve said this before but I think that one reason I have grown in my pc abilities stems from the fact that I can watch every detail of how Cindy accomplishes something, down to exactly how she holds her hands or a particular instrument when demonstrating a facet of a project. ~Elizabeth-S

Hi Cindy, I just subscribed to PCT last week. I bought the beginner lessons, 3 of the back issues and the monthly service. I was a stone-cold beginner and don’t consider myself very crafty, but after watching the beginning videos, I gathered my courage together and made your red clover flower design… and it turned out spectacularly! ~Heather-P

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HAPPY NEW YEAR Poem: This year is nearly ended — We’ve had our Christmas cheer — The Bells will soon be ringing out — To welcome the New Year.  //  We learn so much with CINDY — Those things we never knew — All the clever tips and tricks — and products all brand new.  //  When she dons her cute white Lab coat — We’re all in for a treat — and with Doug behind that Camera — Each video is so neat.  //  No other site can match it — (and I’ve been to quite a few) — Who would have thought I’d still be a fan — Of this multi-coloured ‘Goo’.  //  But with CINDY I’m still learning — Don’t think I’ll ever stop — She has so much skill that she’s willing to share — Yep CINDY, you come out on top.  //  So, to all my claymates at P.C.T. — From countries far and near — I wish you good health and happiness — So enjoy this brand New Year. ~Elaine-F

After being in Cindy’s group for just a couple of months I have sold my first piece and I hope to open an Etsy store sometime early next year. It’s amazing the little tips that Cindy shares with us that make all the difference between ho hum and WOW!!! ~Peg-C

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The full video series for the Fire & Ice Kitchen Utensils tutorial described above, is available in Vol-082 at the Polymer Clay Library.

If you would like to receive 3 free beginner videos right now, plus some free color recipes that get sent out each week in my Friday email newsletter, please click this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials