Vid #174: “Wouldn’t it
be wonderful to make
your own impressions for
texturing beads… no design
limits or hunting for special
plates?” ~Ellebella-S
As a jewelry designer, you should always be looking for ways to give your beads that extra special, one-of-a-kind look. You want your work to reflect who you are as an artist, with designs that really speak to that originality. So how can you do that if everyone is using the same mass produced texture plates? Make your own of course!!
You’ve done several tutorials lately that have very specifically interested me. I’m so excited about uv resin, butterfly canes and the dichroic glass technique that I might have to make a reversible pendant using all three!!!!! I’d really like to see a future one about creating stamps or texture plates for polymer clay. I know that rtv mold putty and polymer clay have both been used for making impressions in clay… but as everyone says, you make seemingly complicated things so much easier. I’m familiar with a few different methods, but I’d love to see how you might do this! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to make your own impressions for texturing beads… no design limits or hunting for special plates? ~Ellebella-S
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-S
Cindy – the bead cap tutorial is great! I was fascinated by the hand-made texture plate you used and would be very interested to learn how you did this – hint, hint! ~Susan-B
I love the textured caps… and love your handmade texture plates, too! (*another tute request hint). ~Phaedrakat
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? ~Katina-K
Hi Cindy! Just wanted to let you know I’ve learned a lot from your videos – thank you so much! While digging through some potpourri to try out your flower inclusion idea, I also found a chunk of something with a great texture that might look good on clay. So this was a very inspiring idea and I look forward to more! Thanks again. ~Libby-C
Brilliant! You can never have too many textures!
~Genevieve-C
I saw a bead swap once where everyone made texture plates and swapped them. Sounds like fun! ~Sue-W
As usual, such cool tips, this time about textures.
~DaisySoapGirl
Raises hand, gestures wildly… animal leather textured prints… fur-like ringlet, tails or scales? LOL!!! Tute request please.
~Jocelyn-C
I love Jocelyn’s quote about “capturing” things in clay. I saw Avatar in 3D the other night and I had so many moments in the film where I was thinking “Wow, look at the colours/textures there, how can I recreate that idea in polymer clay?” Sounds like the start of one of those lists, “You know you’re obsessed with polymer clay when…” ;) ~Silverleaf
How funny Silverleaf! I was thinking the same thing during the movie too! We are all obsessed with this stuff, aren’t we? I am constantly seeing colors and patterns that I am eager to reproduce in polymer clay. My family knows that half-glazed look in my eyes by now and just roll their eyes… “there goes Mom again!” ~Maria-C
So on Friday, October 1st, 2010 at the Polymer Clay Library (Vol-029-1), I decided it would be fun to teach you how to make your own texture plates using Sculpey Mold Maker (aka Super Elasticlay).
Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my weekly 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 or Teardrop 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.
Supplies & Tools: Video-029-1 Texture Plates:
- Sculpey Mold Maker (aka Super Elasticlay). You can also use regular scrap polymer clay for this technique. It will just not have the same flexibility or the fairly non-stick properties that Mold Maker has. Nor will you find it as easy to create the lined drawings and other fine details I will show you in the tutorial.
- Pasta Machine or Acrylic Roller.
- Items for impressing into clay. I used Sculpey Detailing Tools; Sculpey Etch & Pearl Tools; Wooden clothespin; Needle tools; and mesh Onion bag. There are lots of other household items you can use as well.
- Cornstarch or water as release agent if necessary.
The full version of the Vid-029-1 Texture Plates video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday October 1st, 2010. But if you would like to see a sneak peek intro clip right now, scroll down the page a bit to the video player below.
***********************************
Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the “Texture Sheets” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-029 Back Issue Package.
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
What a great month of tutorials! The fantastic Johnny Jump Up – Pansy – Viola cane that must have taken SO much work to film. I just loved it! The metal bezels — so cool, and such a great way to add metal to a clay design. And for such a low, low price! The flashing was 59 cents at Ace Hardware — super inexpensive, just as Cindy told us. The Faux Jade was fabulous, as are all of the vids, and it reminded me that I haven’t used my molds in awhile. I definitely want to put them to use! And last, but not least, the cute little puffy beads, which is a wonderful way to use a favorite cutter to make an adorable 3-D bead! Once again, I can say my $3.32 was well-spent! Seriously, people are missing out when they don’t join up! I remember when I was on-the-fence. I missed out on some great tutorials at very low prices. I’m so glad I’m a member now! Thank you Cindy and Doug! And thanks to all of the members who make this place such a great hang-out!
~Phaedrakat
Cindy and Doug I just want to let the 2 of you know I enjoy coming to this blog more and more every day. You don’t know what you are going to find but you do know it will be more than what we have paid for. Thank you both for giving your all and more. Love and Super Uuuuuuuggggggggs.
~Peggy-B
Hi all, I’m a bit of a newbie … so I just purchased some back issues … if there are any other newbies out there – seriously consider doing this – just when I think I know when the video is going Cindy does something completely different than I thought she would and it’s sooo much easier and it’s like – well duh. ~Desiree-J
The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Texture Plates video tutorial:
- See examples of several texture plate designs as well as pendants created using the textures.
- Discussion of how the Mold Maker clay works, and how to get the most out of it.
- Learn a cool tip to keeping your clay from getting sticky… hint: It involves the fridge.
- And finally, find out how to create and use your texture plates for an unlimited number of design ideas.
The full version of the “Texture Sheets” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-029 Back Issue Package.
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Cool, I think I could figure this out, BUT…. I can’t wait to see how Cindy does this (and makes it easier also). Another ” Can’t wait till Friday” moment!
How fun this is going to be….
Great…a mold making technique! Been wanting to make some. Looking forward to this one…already have quite a bit of items ready this!
I tried making a mold once but really didn’t have a clue how to do it. Never knew about this Sculpey stuff. Is it Friday yet??
I’ve never used Mold Maker – the fact that is more elastic really is interesting. You never can have too many molds -looking forward to learning Cindy’s “way”……..
I’m looking forward to this tute too..!! This Mold Maker clay looks pretty interesting…I’ll have to make a Michaels run, hope they have it! Hmmm, think I may have a coupon too – that will help.
~Lisa :)
Loving this texture idea :). I’ve been making smaller texture sheets out of Premo clay using my fireplace stone and even bottoms of my shoes and other funky things so it would be one of a kind. Sometimes I do want to make a specific design with texturing or be able to replicate the same design with a mold, but I’m not sure how to go about it.
Thank you Cindy for great ideas and also for making it so user-friendly :)
I’m looking forward to this tut. I only have a couple of commercial texture sheets and I’d really like to make some of my own. Does Michaels carry the Super Elasticlay?
So glad you’re doing this tute. Picked up the last box of moldmaker from Hobby Lobby an hour ago so I’m ready for Friday to get here.
This will be helpful when I can’t figure out what texture I want and don’t have it anyway. Just make my own….great!
Oooh, this looks interesting! I’d love to see Cindy’s way to make molds…her distressed pendants are beautiful! (8*hint* I’d like to see Cindy play with paint in a future tutorial!)
@Linda, I bought some of this Mold Maker/Super Elasticlay at Michaels a couple months ago…it’s also good for mixing with older, dried-out clay (to soften & bring it back to life!)
Oh, man! I don’t think Michaels sell this. I’ll check tomorrow and let ya all know. But, we do get new stuff in all the time. If not, check out Sculpey’s web site. We may have to order this online. I wonder if this would be good to make a mold of a charm? Like the leopard charm I have. I tried to make a mold out of pc and it didn’t work as well as I had hoped for.
@Catalina: Just what you were wanting Cat as if Cindy was reading you mind or our minds. Don’t forget I really would be interested in purchasing a mold if you get some made. Woo Hoo Cindy and Doug can’t wait for this tute for myself and Cat.
Many Uuuugggs Peggy
Wow, just made a mold tonight with that very product. Hadn’t thought about making texture sheets. What a great idea! It’s good for softening crumbly old clay too, but you have to use it sparingly. Thanks Cindy I too am (once again) looking forward to Friday!
Well it looks like this is going to be a popular tute. Thanks everyone for showing your enthusiasm.
@DawnB: I’m glad you posted here. There is a problem with your library account and you don’t seem to be receiving my email messages. Please check your junk folder and also add my email address to your “approved senders” list. Or… you can use the “Contact Form” link above, to provide me with an alternative email address that hopefully will allow my email messages to get through to you.
I am really looking forward to Friday and this vid. I enjoy making molds and texture sheets and want to see your spin on it and any shortcuts or tips I can learn. I use ‘Bake And Bend” by Sculpey and haven’t seen Moldmaker locally. I guess a trip to Michaels is due.
Oh, wow, this is amazing! I’ve been scouring the house, collecting all kinds of things to make my own molds and texture plates and was going to use my old Sculpey III clay to do it, but I was wondering how to create my own designs. I think the Sculpey III may get pushed aside (again!), and now here’s another week where I can’t wait til Friday!!! Of course, it does help that I thought TODAY was Tuesday!! Short week for me, YAY! LOL!!!
@Cat: Waiting to hear the Micheal’s verdict!
Oh, yeah, I found some absolutely perfect fossil rocks at the cabin this weekend – perfect imprints of tiny clam shells and little circular patterns, that I brought home just for this purpose! Perfect timing once again Cindy!
Wow, pretty neat!
I bought mine at either JoAnn’s or Hobby Lobby. I’ve made lots of molds but never thought to make a texture sheet. This promises to be a very valuable tutorial – well worth the pennies we pay for it!
I found the Mold Maker Clay… My local Michaels didn’t have it, so I checked at JoAnne Fabrics and found it there. Too bad I didn’t have a coupon for JoAnne’s – it was $9.99… But YAY! I have some for Friday and now I’m even more excited about Friday! I have a feeling I am going to turn into a mold making/texture sheet making crazed woman. *LOL!*
Clay On People,
~Lisa :)
Woo hoo! I love texture sheets and my very favorite ones are the ones I made myself! I have that Mold Maker Clay and I’ve found so many uses for it! I even mixed it with regular polymer clay and made a very flexible wrap around bracelet…. It loops 1 and a half time around my wrist and it’s about the most comfortable bracelet in the world!!!
Can’t wait to see Cindy’s twist on texture sheets! It will be great!
@Melinda: Your bracelets are awesome (along with everything else you make!)! What ratio of Mold Maker to PC did you use? Was it hard to work with?
@Tanya L: Thank you so much for your compliment. I used a pretty small ratio for the bracelets. The first one I made I did a 1/4 ratio but that was WAY to much and the clay became very hard to work with. 1/10 ratio is better but be warned…. the clay still gets very soft and sticky easily but the flexibility after baking is amazing!
I’m so excited! I’m quoted on the front page of the blog and I’m getting the tute I wanted!!!
Very interesting, I didn’t even know we had a JoAnne’s in Alaska, but turns out there are two right in town. I will have to check them out because Michael’s doesn’t always carry everything, and they have been out of Fuchsia Premo Clay since I started looking for it. hmmm.
Just watched the tute and as soon as I can I want to buy some Sculpey Mold Maker and make some molds with this. I have made molds for old buttons and pieces of jewelry with scrap clay but I have to admit this looks so much easier. Thank you for the way you walk us through the tute Cindy you have a way of simplifying it. Thank you Doug for you awesome filming. Without you Cindy would not be able to show us any of this. Together the two of you are perfect team who knows how to get the point across to your students. Always giving so much and asking so little. Thank you once again for being the best!!!
Many Uuuugggs, Peggy
Wonderful Tut Cindy, I have been using Sculpy mold clay for about a month now, and love it. I also had to laugh because I done the same as you, bake it too long and it turned really dark. I was worried that it would be hard as a rock but it hadn’t. It is funny because when I first got it, I was running around the house trying to mold all kinds of things :) I like how you made them thin. I have been rolling mine into balls then pressing my objects onto it.
The possibilities for amazing pieces are endless using this, aren’t they? How fun it will be to go around the house and find different things to use in creating the texture plates. Maybe this week-end we can share some of the things we find.
Thank you, Cindy & Doug!
Next long weekend home I now have plans to make a mold of a relief sculpture I made mom a couple years ago. Until the introduction of our puppies (9 months old and 50 lbs of energy), I wasn’t so worried (plaster of paris) but they knocked it over one day and chipped the corner which got me thinking about making her a duplicate. The original is presently high up out of the girls’ reach. Hmmm, then I could make one for me!
Love this idea ! I like the idea of the smaller size and love how flexible they are — they can wrap around anything. I have a gazillion rubber stamps that I can see mixing together – have already tried a few and the results are just great.
I agree with Elizabeth S. – the possiblilities ARE endless! Thanks so much for another wonderful tute that we can run with, Cindy, and to you too, Doug, for another great video! Have a great weekend!
@Melinda Herron: And thank you to you too for sharing your secret! :)
Have a great weekend all!
@Melinda Herron – Sorry to be so dense but do you mean 10 parts Mold Maker to 1 part Premo?
@carolyn: No, 1 part mold maker to 10 parts clay. The mold maker makes the clay very soft and you can’t mess around with it too much because it will get very sticky but it’s still very flexible after you cure it.
Hey, Cindy…I love the mold process. I am looking around my house and see a lot of different items that could be used as a pattern. Thanks for the tute.
@Melinda Herron – Thanks for setting me straight. Sounds like I would have been in a world of hurt the other way around!
@ Lisa Whitham: Did you know that JoAnne’s will take a Michaels coupon for some items? For example, they won’t take a Michaels coupon for fabric, because Michaels doesn’t sell fabric…but they will take a Michaels coupon for polymer clay items because Michaels sells polymer clay.
Does anyone know if Joanns sells the mold maker clay? Michaels doesn’t sell it, at least my store doesn’t. :( But, it looks like it will be fun to use. I have a cameo that my hubby found at a garage sale. It is reversed. What I mean it is carved out of hematite. So, it will make a great relief of the cameo. He had been wanting me to find one and make a mold so I could reproduce it out of clay. But, this one is a perfect instant mold! Maybe this will work on my leopard charm. But, I got to find this clay first!!
Yes, Joann’s carries the mold maker :). I was disappointed in Michael’s because after Cindy’s tuts I wouldn’t be able to find many things there. Yesterday I found a local Joann’s and I was amazed at all the stuff they have!! It’s like a whole new world haha.
@Catalina – Hobby Lobby also sells Mold Maker. Today I went to the H. L. near Denver, CO, and bought some. They don’t have it at the small JoAnn’s in Carson City, NV, and I know Michael’s doesn’t carry it, so I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get it once I am back home. Anyway, Cindy’s ideas in this tutorial made me want to try some things NOW. I can just hear the child in me saying, with a bit of a whine, ‘I want to do it NOW!!!’
@Cat – I found my Mold Maker at JoAnne’s… Try and find a coupon though, it’s $9.99.
@Linda K – Thanks for the info! I didn’t know that.
Keep on Clayin’,
~Lisa :)
JUST POSTED… Member project photos that relate to the theme of this page… Sculpey MoldMaker Texture Plates.
You can view the larger images by clicking on the link by my name.
BTW: Thanks to everyone above, who took the time to comment in this thread. Your feedback, support and engaging conversations are always such a wonderful part of my day. Although I don’t get a chance to address everyone individually, please know that I do read and give consideration to everything that is said here. ~Cindy
Could someone answer, lol?
Molds can be embossing or imbedding so you can reverse them right?
Deep is needed for polymer #5 on machine rolled or else?
How do you add registration marks so you can line up and duplicate mold surrounding first printing?
As always, very grateful.
@Jocelyn:Great questions Jocelyn, hopefully I understand what you are asking.
Yes molds can be reversed so that you can have either an embossed or raised impression. You can actually make a mold from a mold so you have both versions of the same design.
I like to make my texture plates with the thickest setting on the pasta machine. I don’t really like running texture plates and clay through the pasta machine at the same time, so a thick texture plate works fine for me. You may want to make yours thinner, but you have to take care not to push too deeply when creating your designs in your mold, or they will be weak and break through to the back of the texture plate.
You could always make little markings on your texture plates as registration marks, either with a little scratch on the mold or with a Sharpie.
Hope that cover things for you. Let me know if you need any more help!
Hi Cindy,
I just watched the video on making your own texture plates and was curious if the texture plates we make can be used in the embossing/die cutter machines and with the machine on polymer clay?
Thanks for the great work.
Tammie
Hi Tammie, although I haven’t tried using these texture plates in a die cutter I do think that they may not be durable enough for the pressure the machine will exert on it. They may work with a pasta machine if they are really thin, but I have never really liked the results I have gotten with texture plates that are run through the pasta machine any way so I wouldn’t bother. I much prefer to use an acrylic roller or brayer when using these handmade texture plates.
Could you please tell me or even do a video on a sure-fire way to completely clean clay out of a rubber stamp or texture plate. I’ve been trying to learn how to do a Sutton Slice and my clay keeps getting stuck in my stamps repeatedly and it’s really ticking me off. Also why can’t I spray the stamp first with water before adding my first color.
Another question: What is rubbing alcohol used for in polymer clay. I saw it in the background on your table in one of your videos?
Hi Christine! I was interested myself, so I used the search box and found lots of links with different ideas from Cindy.
I keep my stamps (just the rubber part) in 91% alcohol in a pan while I am nearby, and constant work on the stuck stuff with a soft object, like a toothpick with a mushed end or an cotton ear wipe. Eventually, it loosens. Never soak them long. Based on the ease of removal you could downgrade the liquid to household alcohol, too.
The Sutton Slice is gorgeous and challenging skill to add, wish you the best.
Has anyone tried using an engraver on their acrylic rollers to create their own designs? Just throwing it out there (pun intended)… if there is a post, please let me know!
Thanks
On the subject of engraved acrylic rollers, Lolla I just saw some embossed rollers by FMM at sunnydaycrafts.com. Similar to your suggestion except they are “outies” and not “innies”. There are three designs and they are on sale at present. Perhaps you can affix polymer clay outlines to those four bucks a pop rollers and make your own :-)
Haven’t heard of anyone doing that, Lolla but it’s certainly possible using a Dremel with the correct engraving bit. There are a couple of YT videos about it… haven’t watched them yet so I don’t know how good they are. At about $12 a pop for an acrylic roller in Oz I think I’d rather buy Kor rollers :-)
I haven’t heard of that one yet, but I would imagine it would take a fair amount of time to engrave a roller. It is an interesting concept though. I’ll have to go hunt down those videos!
I don’t know how my kids will feel if I experiment on their ‘playdoh’ rolling pins *gasp*… but I think a cheap alternative, out of the 5 I am sure 4 can survive.
Perhaps some credit to the phrase “method to the madness” LOL!
I recently purchased a rotary tool with flex shaft etc (I carved out my business name in a cedar circle I had constructed from individual planks – off cuts from my raised garden bed from last season LOL) so figure the tool should work equally well on a rolling pin of some material.
My plan of attack is to create a rolling pin out of scrap clay, cure it and engrave it… as well as use a fondant rolling pin also. My g’friends know I am happy in clay heaven but add a power tool to it… power clay heaven at its best!
That sounds super fun Lolla! Do let us know if you end up trying that. I am very curious as to how they will turn out!:)
Creative method to the madness is always fun eh!
I’ve ordered my ‘smooth fondant rollers’ so give or take a month or so upon delivery I’ll certainly revisit this. In the mean time, i’m assembling my scrap clay to bake and working on a design I can engrave with the rotary tool.. will certainly keep you posted :-D
Thanks Chrissie, personally I had to google KOR rollers – never heard of them! I can get my rollers at 4 bucks a pop… I always hated how everything was triple the price in AU… but hey, it’s less in CA but then the shipping may as well make the product triple if not more – WT!
I personally have not seen any YT vids but will look into it… trial and error on my part and happy to experiment like a madclay serendiptous!
4 bucks a pop? You’re on a roll, girl!
pun intended? LOL :-D
Mais oui, cherie :-))
LOL! – I don’t know why but Pepé Le Pew was the first thing that popped into my mind with your reply. Thanks for the chuckle!
And I’ll never be able to say that again without thinking of Pepé LOL.
hahaha – classic (image link)!
(Sorry Cindy if I am not allowed to post the pic, thought it was befitting)….
LOL I love Pepé Le Pew!
LOL – LOVL (very loud in fact!) I didn’t see the picture the first time I saw your message, Lolla.