Mitered Cane Video Tutorial – Now Playing – Polymer Clay Library

Love this one too….lol. Don’t know which colors to start with…..the mind reels.
Andrea

Happy Friday all. Glad to hear everyone is enjoying today’s tute and the site. Welcome to you Rob – I see that you are new here.

And since this is “open mic” day, I want to re-post a question that Jennifer-T placed in another thread earlier this week. If a few of you could respond, I’m sure she would appreciate it. You can respond in this thread or below where she originally posted if you follow the link by my name. Here is what Jennifer said on June 11, 2010…

“Has anyone used Ultradome UV Resin yet? I want to try it out but I haven’t seen any people commenting about it too much. I want to be sure lots of people like it before I buy. Why no opinions on it from people? JK I just want 2b sure. Thank you for helping me if you can give me opinions about it i would feel more reassured. I trust Cindy, but I want to know that average people like me can use it too. Jennifer xoxo”

I watched the video this morning, and loved it, of course! I immediately started posting about it on the video page, and responding on other threads, but forgot about this one! The name looks similar on the list to the right, so I missed it. But since the post has a VERY long comment from me in it, looks like I got a few words in without even being here!

I finally ordered and received my Ultradome (I actually bought the 2oz. Jewelry Glaze bottle from EpoxyJewelry.com, which is the same thing.) I haven’t been claying lately with all that’s going on, though. On top of the pool and the pain, it’s the last week of school! The kids’ activities have been constant, and I had a niece & nephew graduate. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend one of the graduatons, which I feel terrible about. I couldn’t go to the 2nd one, because I was in so much pain after the first! I gave some nice grad gifts, so hopefully I’ll be forgiven.

I really want to get started & give the resin a try. And we’ve certainly had the sunshine for it. The sunshine and the fact that I spent money on graduation gifts made me decide to cure with just sun for now. I may eventually have to get a lamp, like in the winter, or if it gets unbearably hot. When I get one, I’ll definitely go with a 36W, regardless of the type of resin. The Magic Glos users say that the 9W lamps are too slow, as well. I don’t want to wait forever for the resin to cure! I found some good lamp deals on eBay, too, mostly the nail dryer-type lamps. Just make sure you get one that has a way to turn off the timer. You don’t want to have to switch it back on every 2 or 3 minutes! If you’re not sure, contact the seller. I got responses from everyone I contacted. Mixed results, too. One seller told me the timer could not be turned off on the model lamp he had. A different seller (& a different model# lamp) reassured me that there WAS a “constant on” setting. Unfortunately, I was too cheap and did not end up with the winning bid on that one!

Ultradome 2 oz. includes shipping, and is only $12. The cost of shipping only kicks in if you buy extras like the dispenser bottle w/Luer-lok tips. I bought mine as Jewelry Glaze, like Cindy mentioned on the video page, and it came in a bottle with an extra dispenser tip. The tip may work perfectly. But if not, it’s a standard 2 oz bottle, which means you can use those craft tips they sell in the paint department (w/different tip sizes for dispensing paints, glues, mediums, etc.) I have some I bought for a paint project that I didn’t use, so I’ve got them on hand if needed. You could even use a tip from a bottle you already have, if you clean it well. I’m just letting you know this because if you’re worried about the cost of this, it’s really only $12.00 total here in the states. Anyway, I’ll let you know as soon as I put the resin to use. Has anyone else tried it? I’m really surprised no one’s mentioned it so far!

Ultradome is so much cheaper than Magic Glos, almost half the price. I agree that for certain projects MG might easier to use because it’s thicker. But for pendants and things like that, Ultradome seems like the obvious choice. From what I’ve heard, you go through the Magic Glos very quickly because it’s so thick. It also has that “pulling away from the edges” problem, so you have to use it twice as a workaround. There’s probably a workaround for the beveled edges issue with Ultradome, too; we just need to play with it a bit. Cindy probably also has some ideas and maybe some tips she hasn’t perfected just yet. Once I get going with the resin, I think I’ll buy some Magic Glos, too, so I can see which resin does what. Perhaps having a little of each is the most economical way to go, especially when Ultradome has free shipping on the 2 oz bottle!

Have fun everyone, and report back with your findings so we know how everyone’s doing with this resin!

Wow, how interesting that Jennifer asked about Ultradome today, as I actually used it for the first time this morning. Some time back I purchased a Tina Holden Batik tutorial. My piece that resulted from her tut, was among my favorites. For a long time I resisted the resin step as I have lost other favorite pieces because of botched resin attempts. This morning I summoned my courage, fired up Cindy’s Ultradome tut, opened my Ultradome and applied it to my piece. It took a couple of coats to achieve the dome effect I wanted (I think I was too conservative with the initial amount I applied), but the end result was more than I could hope for. The product is forgiving in that spillovers are easily eliminated with a bit of alcohol, and an additional coat resulted in the effect I wanted-I’m happy! I think that with a bit more practice I’ll have the application down to a science. I’m particularly happy that it didn’t pull away from the sides once on the piece.

Needless to say, my opinion and experience will be one of many to consider but count mine as a positive endorsement. Hope it helps.

@Phaedrakat: It was just one of those pieces that really turned out the way I wanted it to-I would have been sad to lose it, thus the delay in applying the resin.

@Elizabeth S.: Thanks, Elizabeth! I got mine in the mail, and I wanted to hear about some “sunlight cured” successes. This is awesome news to hear. Did you cover yours with plastic or anything? How long did it take to cure in the sun?

Hi’ everyone I have not used ultra dome yet as we don’t get it in u k but I may send for some later in the year or if i am allowed to travel bye then I will visit my sister in Boston and bring lots back with me I use Magic gloss and cured it outside in the sun or if it is windy inside on the window sill both have worked, inside took a little longer But I now have a 36w nail lamp no timer just on and of switch so I will use an oven timer when I start to use it. I purchased it on eBay from Wildcentery 60858 for £20-99 and no postage I am very happy with it so far.Don’t no if it is any help to any of you thinking of getting a lamp. I found that the Magic gloss works well as long as you do it in two stages and it seems to go a very long way but I still want to try Ultra dome at some stage Well I may not be around for a while but as soon as I am fit enough I will be back so Happy claying to all of you and a wonderful summer Ritzs

@Phaedrakat: I am having surgery on Wednesdays for my spine (neck end) and bone fusions in three places so I don’t think i can do much after for a while they tell me three to six months recoup;; but I will be on the computer as soon as I can after i am not a one for doing nothing I get to bored thank you for your concern. Ritzs

@Ritzs: Oh, Ritzs! I’m so sorry about your upcoming surgery. Three levels is a lot, but they are so good at these things—you’re going to be fine, I just feel it! I’m sure you’ve got a very capable surgeon. By the time you’re healed, your pain could be completely gone. Can you imagine how nice that’s gonna be?

I’ve had my thoracic spine fused, so I know what these things are like. They tell you all kinds of scary things, but they have to warn you about things that “could” happen. Nothing bad’s gonna happen with you—it’s going to go really well, and you’ll feel so much better afterwards. It takes a bit of time, and you’ll have some pain. But it will all be worth it when you’re healed and pain-free!

I’ve been putting off cervical surgery of my own. I’ve been fortunate; I can manage the pain with electric stim. & pain meds for the most part. I’m also extremely careful with my neck so I don’t aggravate it. Since it’s not causing any additional problems (“only” pain, which I have in my back, anyway,) I’m not ready to risk another surgery yet. It’s difficult to decide whether or not to have this kind of surgery—people tell you conflicting things, and everyone has different outcomes. But if you’ve been suffering for a really long time, the decision practically makes itself.

I wish you the best of luck with your surgery, the quickest possible recovery, and the least pain possible. I know what you mean about getting bored—I sure wish I’d had my laptop during my post-op recovery. Being stuck in bed for months is no fun, and you get tired of the TV very quickly. You want to DO things and you can’t, but luckily you’ll have the computer to reach out to family, friends, and others on the web. They can entertain you and help you stay connected to the world. As soon as you’re able, come back to us here—we’ll try to cheer you up while you’re healing! Hugs & prayers to you! ~Kat

@Ritzs:
Hi Ritzs and everyone else,
Check out the Polymer Clay Pit site for Magic Glos in the UK (£8.68) – There’s also an article on the London Polymer Clay Guild page about the day they had with Lisa Pavelka last year, and some of the ways she showed how to use.
Needless to say, I haven’t got any yet since my OH is complaining about the amount I am spending on beading and clay stuff – but I did mange to get me a blow torch for a mere £12.99 yesterday – and the first attempts at headpins are looking promising. I hadn’t even realised they could be done, so thanks Cindy for highlighting that.
Judy

@Koolbraider: That’s what I’m going to try when I use mine — plastic wrap. Or maybe a piece of glass from a cheap picture frame or something (I’m thinking they’re thin & they most likely don’t have UV protection.) I’ve also got too many “things” in the air blowing around, something would get stuck in my piece, for sure. I might try curing 2 similar pieces at the same time; 1 covered & 1 not. Then I’ll be able to tell if the covering is interfering with the sun’s UV rays hitting the piece. I’ll let you know how it turns out! ~Kat

@Hanne-R: A glass bowl sounds perfect! (No reason for it to have UV protective glass!) I’ve got the ideal candidate, too; now I just need to prep my pieces. I’m guessing here, but perhaps a white, glossy tile might be better for curing, since the UV rays bounce off it back onto the piece. That would make a cool experiment, too—seeing if changing the tile or item on which you place your piece (light vs. dark, shiny vs. dull, etc.) makes a difference in cure time.

Hanne, thanks so much for sharing your experiences—all of this is really helpful to those of us who haven’t “taken the plunge” yet with resin. :D
~Kat

I dont know if anyone can help me, I have been trying to attach my beads to hair clips/slides but it doesn’t seem to stick, I have even used 2 part resin. I am totally stumped has anyone tried this before???? I have to make lots of childrens items as I have a fayre on the 4th July and they would love something like this (mind so would I) :)

All suggestions welcome
Ange

@ Ritzs – I’m so sorry to hear about your coming surgery. Will kee p you in prayer. I’m sure , you will be fine and once the pain of the surgery is done, you will feel good. Thank god for the computer – can keep in touch that way at least. Will keep a look out for you. Is the surgery next Wednesday? Loving wishes and hugs and prayers – Cheryl
@ Kat – Why did you have to have your thoracic spine fused? Must have been so painful. Praying for you too. Hugs- Cheryl

@Phaedrakat: I know how you frustrating that can be to spend time writing something out, only to have it disappear for whatever reason. It’s happened to me too. So what I do now, at least when “crafting” longer more detailed responses, is use a simple text editor like NotePad or TextPad. That way I can save my work as I write. Then when I’m done, I just cut and paste the message into the comment box here at the blog, and submit.

@ Ange- Hav eyou tried Wellbond or the two part epoxy glue?

@Jocelyn: No 1st-hand experience here, but I’ve read quite a few articles, reviews, tutorials, etc. Everything says that ICE Resin is the best of the 2-part resins. Most crafters say it’s THE BEST resin. Notice I said “crafters,” since clayers tend to gravitate to the UV resins like Magic Glos, Ultradome, etc. Then again, we’re not using it for paper & scrabble tiles! ICE is by Susan Lenart Kazmer, and can be purchased at quite a few different places. Iceresin.com has a “where to buy” link, as well as lots of info. Fire Mtn. Gems carries ICE, too.

The advantages, from my “research”: it’s jeweler’s grade, non-yellowing, and ice-clear. It’s self-doming, and doesn’t pull from the edges or have a bad odor. Other 2-part resins are notorious for their bad smell, but most reviews I’ve read about ICE say there’s no odor. A couple reviews said ICE has a “faint” smell — but not bad.

The drawbacks are similar to those of any non-UV resin: you have to measure correctly, mix a minimum amount each time (1/4 oz. each part,) and let it cure a long time — 3 days to fully cure! However, it dries in 6 hours, so you can handle/work with it as it’s left in the open air until it’s cured (or it can become cloudy.) You have approx 45 min. to an hour to work with/pour the resin before it starts to harden.

Anyway, if anyone decides to try this, let us know how you like it, and your “findings.” Cindy does so much good by sharing her knowledge. It’s great when others share what they know about the different products, providing information, and enabling each of us to make the best choices to suit our individual needs. Good luck choosing your resin method! ~Kat

@Jocelyn: You’re so welcome. And thanks — you’re mighty fine yourself, lady! Have a great day! :D