Vid #186: “These new
ideas always make me
feel like I’m so close to a lot
of like minded polymer clay
artists for inspiration and
motivation.” ~Elizabeth-K
The concept of handcrafted Art Cloth is quite popular these days, in the Mixed Media, Fiber Arts, Jewelry Making and Quilting communities. So I figured why not add to the creative possibilities and come up with an art cloth made with polymer clay? And as a result, my Polymerized Cloth idea was born!
I actually came up with a version of this almost a year ago, fooling around with some cloth and liquid clay. But it was only recently that I finally got everything ready to be able to show you guys.
Now as it turns out, at the same time I was experimenting with this technique, another polymer clay artist by the name of Susan O’Neill was also creating something similar. She uses liquid clay and gauze to make beautiful jewelry bangles. It’s like the Universe sometimes throws a bunch of ideas out to the world to see who is ready to catch them. Susan and I must have been on the same wavelength when that happened :-)
Art frees the mind to play in the right side of the brain where the magic of humanity lives and you can find that so much is possible. ~Melinda-H
This site is so amazing. These new ideas always make me feel like I’m so close to a lot of like minded polymer clay artists for inspiration and motivation. ~Elizabeth-K
Although the basis of my idea is similar to Susan’s, what I will show you is quite different and of course has my own Polymer Clay Tutor spin on it.
I can see huge creative options for this simple technique, for use in many Mixed Media and Jewelry Making applications as well as in other arts and hobbies such as scrapbooking, quilting, sewing and a variety of other crafts.
What a great medium we use! All this beautiful jewelry, notebooks, hair accessories, etc. And that’s just a small sampling of what can be made. I love that you can use items from other crafts with polymer. ~Phaedrakat
So… coming up tomorrow on Friday January 7th [Vol-032-1], I’m going to teach you how to transform cloth into clay for this week’s video tutorial at the Polymer Clay Library.
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-032-1 Polymerized Cloth:
- Cloth or fabric. Any thin fabric with an open weave that can handle temperatures of 265F-300F will do. I used some wide satin ribbon, wide organza ribbon and a well used and washed dryer sheet (fabric softener) in my samples.
- Liquid Polymer Clay. I used Translucent Liquid Sculpey (TLS) but you could use Sculpey Bake and Bond or Kato Liquid instead if you wish.
- Alcohol inks (optional).
- Glitter, Mica Powder and or Metal Leaf (optional).
- Tile for baking. I prefer to use a smooth matte finish tile for this purpose rather than a shiny or glossy tile. A shiny tile will leave the polymerized cloth shiny on the back which IMO makes the cloth look more plastic-y.
- Spatula.
The full version of the Vid-032-1 Polymerized Cloth video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday January 7th, 2011. 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.
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Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the “Polymerized Cloth” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-032 Back Issue Package.
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
Hi Cindy, I love your videos, they help so much. I have learned so many new things thanks to you. I truly appreciate the help you give and the videos are well worth the price and then some! I am eagerly waiting for the tute on the flower petals. Love, hugs, and warmest aloha. Mahalo. ~Norieta-K
I’m so excited and wanted to tell you how much I’m enjoying my membership (so much so, in fact, that I bought three back-issues today!) I’m definitely the “see and immediately want to try it” type. I taught myself knitting, crocheting, and the beginnings of viking knit, but it really is nice to have another person teach (since my mom does not know any of the above, she couldn’t show me…) Thanks for having such a great resource. ~Katie-C
Cindy – I have spent the whole weekend “with” you and your videos. I don’t think I have ever gotten more value from a purchase. I feel as though I know you and we are friends. Your teaching style is so warm and genuine. I have learned so much already and still have a long way to go. I will probably be watching some of the videos many times. I don’t want to ramble on and on but thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity. I haven’t had so much fun in a long time. PS – who does your camera work? They are very good and the editing – insets, etc.- are excellent! Love. ~Beverle-S
The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Polymerized Cloth video tutorial:
- See examples of several different polymerized cloth pieces and the jewelry that was created from them.
- Discussion of the tools and materials needed to create this fun and simple polymer clay technique.
- Learn about how simple it really is to make this unique and versatile art cloth material.
- Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity there are many ways to come up with unique versions of your own!
The full version of the “Polymerized Cloth” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-032 Back Issue Package.
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This looks like a fun technique, Cindy… it will be great to see the video! :)
This could end up being one of my favorites – but then I seem to say that about every new tute.
You’ve done it again, Cindy. Have a bunch of wide lace ribbons with very pretty patterns in my “for future use” pile. With your help and this tute, they will move up to the “to be done Now” pile. Can’t wait!
OMGosh, this looks like so much fun!! Can’t wait till tomorrow!!
I was mesmerized with just the photos for this one and the preview has me counting the minutes until we get the whole thing. The finished pieces look so gossamer-like.
Maybe getting the previews on Thursday is not such a bad thing-not so long to wait.
WOW again!. As a quilt fabric collecter (hoarder), I could SEE lots of possibilities with the polymerized cloth. Used on a canvas with acrylic paint. Mixed media stuff coming out my ears……………Yeah, hurry Friday.
Speaking as one who thinks fiber is the absolute in joy (being as I’m a braider!!!) this looks to be an exciting lesson. And there must be almost 10 years of material scraps sitting in my den. Is it Friday yet???
Being a quilter ,I also have lots of fabrics to play with. Can’t wait to see how this turns out!!!]
Just watched the preview video and already have tons of ideas. Thank goodness I have friends that are quilters!! :)
Oooh! Although I’ve never been a quilter, I’ve been a fabric hoarder for many years…and I’ve always wished I knew of something to do with those dryer sheets!
WINGS? What an awesome idea … can’t wait!
Thanks guys! I am glad you are excited about this one! As serendipity would have it, I came across a cool idea today for making paper flowers that can easily be adapted to the Polymerized Cloth. I actually have a Polymer Cloth Rose in the oven right now. And if it works like I think it will, I’ll make a tutorial on it. Can’t believe how excited I feel about this discovery!!! Like a little girl… all wiggly with excitement! :-)
@Maria: Watching the Preview I just noticed that I said Butterfly Wings when clearly I meant Dragonfly Wings! Geez my brain must have been too excited to show you the technique and got all muddled up! LOL I think this technique would work lovely for all kinds of wings… Butterflies, Dragonflies, any type of bug, Dragons and even Fairy wings. You could alter the surface with inks to create different effects!
Cool, looks like fun!
Wow! From the picture these look so cool! I’m in Ohio now because my father is in the hospital. (He is doing ok, now.) I’ll be home late Friday so I can’t see the video teaser on my iPad until I get home. :(
But, I will be looking forward to seeing this tute!
OMG I can finally use my fabric scraps. I have bags of them as i used to make paper mache dolls and my husband is always wanting me to clean up; i keep telling him ‘you never know what you will use it for’ now i can show him the jewelry!! . This is going to be fabulous, they look so beautiful. I have ideas swimming in my head already …. wish I had more time.
Nifty idea! I have tons of fabric, too…why not ‘polymerize’ them? :D Video online in 3.25 hours…(yeah!)
These are gorgeous. This technique might open up a whole new avenue for claying!! There are so many potential fabric variations and ways of incorporating them, together with clay and other mixed media projects!! AND I love the idea of using reclaimed items to create something beautiful…this so inspiring Cindy!!
Well I don’t quild and I don’t have fabric laying around and I am not a fan of dryer sheets. Hmmmmm. Watch out Mom her comes your favorite daughter. My Mom Quilts Yea and I think she uses dryer sheets to boot. So once again saved by my Mommy. This does look like a GREAT video. I am sure Cindy, you and Doug have a BANG of a year planned for us.
Uuuuuuuggggggggs, Peggy
What an amazing idea ! Thank you very much :-)
You never fail to amaze me I watch your videos with my chin dropped to the floor most of the time. Never a dull moment and most of all you push us to be creative and daring with our own minds. You start the race for us but we have to finish it. Now that is what makes you the #1 Tutor with the #1 Tutorials, then put Doug in the mix with his amazing filming and BAM!
THE AWARD GOES TO THE LIETZ TEAM.
Cindy and Doug how ever many tutes you have done that is how many times I THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!
You think they can’t get any better than this and they get better. This tute is fabulous and I can’t wait to try it out sometime this weekend, I hope!
Hats off to the both of you – many Uuuuuggggs and have a wonderful weekend!!
Peggy
Health experts are always telling seniors (I guess being in my late 70’s qualifies me) to learn new things to keep the brain active. Your tutes are definitely keeping my brain buzzing. A polymer cloth rose next??? Wow – bring it on !!
Hi Cindy – I think this one of the best ‘brainwaves’ you have had!! Can I just ask – the green earrings with frayed edges – did you fray the farbric before polymerising?
Thanks Cindy, keep the ideas coming!!!
love it……thanks, Cindy and Doug
Quite a mind expanding idea……..wow!
Wow…so clever!!! Can’t wait to give this a try. Lots of ideas spinning in the ole noggin’. A polycloth rose tute sounds awesome! Can’t wait to see how that turned out.
Thanks so much Cindy and Doug!
A polycloth rose is huge on the WOW scale for me!
I don’t use dryer sheets very often, but always have them around in case I forget to add the liquid softener, or to put in drawers to keep things smelling fresh. I’m going to start prepping a bunch of those dryer sheets today so I’ll have them handy and ready to go when I’m ready to clay with them.
Most yardage fabric is sold with sizing in it, which is one of the reasons we run it through the wash before we sew with it. I’m wondering if we should wash it before polymerizing it…
Great tute! One question. Does the tls scrape off the tile when you have baked the tls cloth on it?
Oh, I love this!! Dollar Store, here I come today looking for ribbon and other things I can polymerize. I especially love the cone shaped pieces you created with the fabric and can’t wait to try them.
Cindy and Doug, you two sure contribute to my happy scale in a big way. Thank you! Thank you!
@Elizabeth S.: Going to the Dollar Store -me too. After going to the dog park LOL. The polycloth rose sounds like a winner……………
TUTE_TUTE_TUTE – hope so. teehee
Think I will wash the heck our of a small LOAD of dry-er sheets. Here I come. What a great idea -who would have thunk it ? Only Cindy and Doug. yeah
Fantastic, sneeked watching this at work today instead of waiting till I got home. Can’t wait to try this, I’m so far behind in trying the techniques it’s no longer funny. I’m certain an idea will “hit” me when I least expect it, like when I’m trying to go to sleep, or something like that, fortunately it’s the weekend, so I can hop up and try it out even in the wee hrs of the morning.
I just love this vid/tut and the possibilities seem endless. I have been saving my much used dryer sheets for a scrapbooking friend but now she is out of luck ;-) Kudos to the Lietz team.
Definitely a tute on roses with this technique. I see the fabric rose brooches everywhere. A poly clay one would be perfect, more body to it and all the surface treatments that you could do. Boggles the mind!
Wow ! Fantastic tutorial!! Can’t wait to try it out. The polymerised fabric rose sounds awesome.
This looks soooo easy! And fun! We have too many dryer sheets! I find them everywhere!! They will come out of your pant legs, towels, in the sheets! I may find them “fun” now! :) Fabric Rose sounds cool! I wonder who will be first to post a pic of theirs first?
@Catalina: Ay-yi-yi, I know what you mean about the dryer sheets. The people I live with–especially my sister’s kids–are terrible about leaving them strewn about. The little suckers get everywhere (the sheets, not the kids, lol! ) I get some back-stretches in each day by picking them up & tossing away. Now , thanks to this tute, I’ll have an even better reason for ‘retrieval’… :)
I can picture all kinds of ideas/possibilities for this ‘poly fabric’, and it’s gonna be fun trying them out. Flowers/roses should be pretty easy with this awesome “new” material. Thank you, Cindy Lietz — you are one creative lady!!!
I also say WOW! Thanks so much (again) Cindy. This is a lovely technique and (again) so many possibilities. You are a treasure!
This was an awesome tutorial!! A totally “out of the box” idea.
I noticed the grommet on one of the projects (the pink flower), and I have NO clue how to use it, can someone explain?
Thank you all.
Rada
Thank you so much everyone for your positive feedback! I am excited that you’re excited about doing the technique. As you could see from the tutorial, that there will be unlimited possibilities to adding your own artistic voice with this idea. I wish I could respond to each of you personally. Your comments mean a lot to me. A few had questions so I thought I’d better pop in quickly and answer them for you.
@Sue Proffitt: Yes Sue, they were frayed first, then polymerized.
@Linda K.: Good point Linda… most of my fabric has been washed, so didn’t think of that. It probably would be best to wash it first to removing any sizing so there would be no chance of it breaking down the polymer. I guess same goes for fabrics that have been washed with a fabric softener. Thanks for bringing that up!
@Freda K: Yes, the baked TLS or Bake and Bond, scrapes off easily from the tile. Good question you wouldn’t want to have to throw out a bunch of tiles!
@Rada Francis: Grommets or eyelets are used in fabric crafts as well as scrapbooking. There are eyelet setting tools that spreads out the tube to make it hold. If you Google ‘setting eyelets’ I am sure you will find a video on it. In the future I may include the technique in a tutorial.
I also noticed that Cindy mentioned a die cut technique, not sure if that means something like cricut. I just recently found this video which is very exciting as it tells you how not to spend so much money on the cricut cartridges. Not sure if anyone has used this program. Let me know.
youtube.com/watch?v=Zf6NRqQ3vBM&feature=related
@Rada Francis: Hii Rada, I don’t think a Cricut machine would be the best type of die cut machine for the polymerized cloth. I am pretty sure it would be too hard on the cutter. A regular steel cut die like the ones Tim Holtz or Sizzix has would work though. (Need to get one of those machines so I can show everyone how to use it with polymer clay. So many tools and supplies to get soo little time!!)
I have a question for everyone: Any recommendations on clay extruders? There seem to be various types out there, ones you twist, crank, etc….I purchased one and it was a cheap ones. You get what you pay for, therefore, before I go to purchase another I would like your input fellow clayers. Also, does anyone have a pasta machine with a motor on it? I also would appreciate comments on this as well. I have a bad shoulder and would think this may help out, as conditioning clay is not my favorite thing :) Hope I posted this in the right place and thanks for your input.
Laura
Laura, my extruder is just one of those little ones, and I too have weak wrists and hands. I make sure my clay is really well conditioned and soft, and the extruder tube is warm. I carry them around in my pocket for a while. Then I put it together in the usual way with the clay inside, and instead of trying to squeeze it with my hands, I put it on the floor and press down on the finger brackets with my feet. You have to be sitting in the right chair, so you can press down straight and hard, and also wearing the right shoes, so your feet don’t slip off the little finger holds. Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy and your hands are free to collect the strands of clay so they don’t break.
Jan B
Sorry – I used kiwi slang – “get the hang of it” means work it out and have some practice. (Just in case you don’t use that expression.)@Laura R:
@Laura R: Laura, I’ll second what Elizabeth K said. I had one of those cheap ones too and hardly ever used it because it was just too much work and pain (I have fibromyalgia and it makes my hands and wrists hurt). But when I got a green Makins extruder everything suddenly became easy! I wouldn’t swap back now, no way.
I found that I had to put a little WD40 lubricant on the screw part because it squeaked, but that’s the only problem I’ve had with it. Definitely worth the money.
@Laura R: Laura, Ditto what my fellow clayers said about the Makin’s Professional Ultimate Clay Extruder. It’s the green one Cindy uses in her videos (she’s used it in several of them.) I just wanted to mention that you can find all kinds of info on the topics you mentioned by using the search box up top (on left.) For example, if you type in “clay extruder”, you’ll see several articles about them. At the top of the list is the post on the Makins Extruder Tutorial …it discusses the advantages of this tool over others, and gives you a good look at it in the intro video (down the page.) The tute itself has fantastic tips on how to use it and put it to best use.
The search box can also lead you to some great discussions about pasta machines and the pros/cons of motors. Here’s one article to start — Is a Pasta Machine Motor Necessary…?
Best of luck to you…finding the right tools makes it all so much easier! Have fun, Kat
@Laura R: I too own a Makins, but alas, it doesn’t work properly anymore… So I bought a Walnut Grove extruder and I like it much better. It has a hand crank on it, and is much easier for me than even the Makin’s. DO NOT buy the cheap little steel one..you will only be wasting your money. You can get the Walnut Grove extruder at Michaels. I used a %40 off coupon when I got mine, so I didn’t really pay a lot for it. Hope we’ve all helped you.. *grin*
Peace, Love, & Clay,
~Lisa :)
Looking forward to trying this out, Cindy…something definitely fresh and fun-looking! Great way to start the year! Can hardly wait! I am ready to get started on some new techniques.
I have been busy trying to change over my studio and blog…forgot to change the email and url information…sorry! Just corrected that!
Hi all, Cindy just love the Polymerized Material.
I first bought TLS to make some fairy wings a long time ago,thats how I came to start polymer clay,after that, but did not have much knowledge then, so now that will come in handy, a great way to make pliable wings.
A nice technique.
As to Laura R. Makins Extruder is the only one to use.
Costs a bit but so easy and comes with so many dyes you are never at a loss.Have you seen some of Cindys tuts using it? Vol 009 is one.
I know those plunger type ones are less excy, but if you are going to be a good poly artist you need good tools.
Look up the Makins site.
The group I work with all bought themselves one once I showed them the dif. I started off with one like you have , but wouldnt part with my Makins now, it is so quick and easy and no sore hands.
As to the Pasta Machine with the motor, yes I have one of those too.
I also have the crank handle one I started with, so know both.
Well again I wouldnt be without my Motorised one, and when I take it to class everyone just uses that.
They are just wonderful, so quick and easy to use.
No more hand turning.I guess Cindy does not use it on her tuts because it does make a noise, so we wouldnt hear her as well.
Imagine a room full of them (Motorised) I mean.The first retreat I went to all the reall polyclay artists had them. I was very new, but was in awe of those machines even tho they made a lot of noise.
You soon get used to handling the clay thru them, it doesnt go too fast for you not to be able to catch it under, so think of getting one.
Here in OZ, I once got mine at K MART for about $ 70 ,but that was a promotion, but keep an eye out , they are fun to work with.
I know we all think twice when expense is a question but be kind to yourself, you deserve it.
bye
Love XXX
Elizabeth K.
I love this technique and cannot wait to pull out scraps of lace ribbon and fabric to use as the base material for the art sheets.
Think the open spaces in lace, possibly thin coated or not with the liquid polymer clay, would give tremendous depth and detail.
Thank you everyone for your replies on the clay extruders and motorized pasta machines! I appreciate your time and respect your input…thank you so very much. That is why I love this group…everyone is so helpful and honest. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Happy claying around ;)
P.s. Love those Michaels and JoAnne Fabrics coupons!
Hey Elizabeth, I’m so happy to see you posting here. I was worrying that you might be near the floods.
@Linda K.:
Hi Linda K.
thanks for thinking of me. We are not in the firing line for the floods this time so far. We had torrential rain all thru Nov and Dec, and even just a few days ago, when I start to worry my house frontage will get inundated if it doesnt stop raining.
But it is futher down at present, in Queensland. I am so sorry for those peole and it will take a long time to recover, so much lost.
Even bigger than your Katrina. All we can do is donate what we can. They had a telethon on sunday and collected 10 Million but even that is only a drop in the bucket it will take billions to recover if they ever do.
I think the whole world with feel this as we are a producing country, and so much has been lost.
But people are resilient and they are all helping each other, and I think more caring has already come out of this and there will be a new way to live when it all finishes., as we will realise we dont own this earth, and wont be so complacent, as if it never happens to us personally.
Nature rules as I say and we are at its mercy .
Stiil we have fun and rely on things like here to keep us going. Thoughts of our creatvness can always bring relief, so Im on to my Polymerized Fabric and so must get to it.
Thanks again for thinking of me
love
Elizabeth
XXX
I’m sorry guys but I have been a little overwhelmed lately with my workload that I haven’t been as much part of the conversations here as I would like. I just want you to know that I do appreciate and read every comment, even if I don’t respond to each and every one of you individually.
@Elizabeth Kerr: I have been worried about you, Sue F. and all our other Aussie clayers. I am so glad to hear you are OK and that your are using your love for polymer clay as a happy distraction from the stress of the situation. I hope your country can recover from this tragedy as quickly as possible. Continued safety and love is being sent your way.
Cindy thank you for answering my questions :) I found a video on the eyelet setting.
What a neat idea! Thanks Cindy.
I agree with Laura re the steel extruder, what a waste of money that was, my hands are not very strong and I had a hard time with it, so ended up buying a makin’s too, which is what i should have done in the first place. Never mind, we learn from our mistakes.
take care all from warm Katikati, New Zealand.
Hello Cindy
Great Tutorial. I have this question. when you stamp the fabric is before you apply the TLS or you baked and them you aplly the stamp?
thanks cristina
Hi
I have just signed up and watched the Polymerized Fabric tutorial. However I couldn’t catch the name of the liquid that you used to colour the white fabric that was soaked in the TLS. It’s probably something that I am not familiar with here in England, so do you think you could let me know the name of the product? Thanks
Jill
@Rada Francis: No problem, hope that helped. How is your beautiful baby Aurora doing? BTW I think you’re going to love the name of the new technique I came up with and will be teaching in a couple of weeks. I was thinking of you guys when I named it. :-)
@Sandra: It is always so cool to be chatting and sharing from all the way to the other end of the World! Happy to hear it is nice and warm there. It is pretty chilly here in most of Canada right now, though not at this moment in Vancouver. We are having a bit of a warm snap. It’s even fooling our cherry tree into budding.
@cristina: I stamped that piece after it was baked, with Stazon brand Solvent Ink. You could try stamping the fabric first with the ink and then using the liquid polymer, but you’d have to experiment with that to see how it works, since I haven’t tried it myself.
@Jill T: Welcome! It is really nice to have you as part of our claying family. The ink I used was Tim Holtz’ Adirondack Ink by Ranger. You could use any Alcohol Ink if you can’t find that particular brand in England. Have fun with the technique!
@Jill T: Hi Jill! I’m a fellow UK-er and you can definitely get Adirondack ink over here.
Penny at Clayaround.com sells it and she has Pinata inks as well. I’ve also bought Adirondack inks from Emma at EJRbeads.co.uk, and from cardcraft-uk.co.uk. They generally cost around £3.50 a bottle but since you use only a few drops at a time they last for ages, and you can mix them to create new colours. I love them!
Hi Cindy and all, thanks for your thoughts.
Alltho I was not really involved in the horrendous floods this time, I am taking time out to make things for people who have lost their craft stuff as I know how that feels, so my sewing machine is working overtime at present,making Armchair Caddies with all things in that are needed when you sit down to hand sew, Scissors, needles etc. Funny I never ever made myself one, and now Im getting expert. However some one will love them Im sure.
I will try to put pics on my blog by the end of the week. Altho I need to get back to my Poly Clay, as we start a new year with the U.3.A. students soon, so I am about to try the Polymerized cloth, just love the thought of this and a new way to use my TLS.
Love to see the N.Z. gals are coming in here, I originally came from there to Aus, you are far reaching Cindy, and no wonder.
Bye for now
Love
Elizabeth.
I have been so busy the past few months with moving and Christmas and all, I have hardly had time to look at the videos. I was thinking about just letting my subscription go but I watched this video and the one where you make the roses from the polymerized fabric. Oh Cindy, you have done it again. LOL. I am all fired up again, can’t wait to try these out and am definitely renewing again. I don’t know WHAT I was thinking in even considering letting my subscription go. I know, I do have those common sense lapses. :) Thanks for hooking me again Cindy. And I do mean that in a good way.
Wow! I agree with Laurel… Cindy’s a hooker! I mean, her videos hook me in, too! Sorry…just kidding with my choice of words there… :D
I can’t imagine ever letting Cindy go…I’m always afraid she’ll leave ME (afraid she’ll wise-up & realize she’s practically giving her video tutes away! LOL) She always has something cool to show us. BUT, even if I only liked 1 of the 4 tutes each month, I’d only be out 3 bucks. That never happens, though — I always love ’em all. Once in awhile she’ll show a technique I already know…but she puts her own spin on it, and I end up learning a trick or two (or more!) Cindy always finds a way to teach something amazing, and stretch our creativity & imagination. I place a high value on my membership…it’s more than worth the small fee, which I barely miss even on my low income.
Hello Cindy,
Have you tried the UV resin on anything made with liquid clay?
I have a customer that has made some fabric items with liquid clay and the resin is coming off with a sticky bottom. Normally this is because it’s not been cleaned but she says she cleaned it with isopropyl alcohol very good to begin with and said the clay was defiantly baked long enough.
I suspect either there is a difference in the liquid clay or the fabric
contained something incompatible with the epoxy. I am waiting for more information but I am guessing maybe she used a dryer sheet and it leached out some of it’s chemicals into the clay.
Just wondering if you have tried this?
Thanks!
Hi Terry,
Yes I have used the UV resin on the polymerized cloth once, some time ago and there was no problem. You are probably on the right track with the dryer sheet if that’s what she’s using.
Or it could be that the cloth she used was so porous that some of the UV resin soaked through and wasn’t able to cure properly. It’s not a problem with the liquid clay or the inks since I have used the UV resin on the liquid clay version of the faux opals many times with success.
I suppose there is always a chance she didn’t bake her piece hot enough and there is some sort of contamination there, though I’m thinking not.
It’s funny, I have these kinds of conversions with Donna and Doug Sheppard from PYMII as well. Some customer is experimenting and has a strange problem. It’s kind of cool how many neat things you can make if you just try it out. Doesn’t always work, but it’s fun to try.
Hopefully my answer helped. If you have any more questions, let me know.
~Cindy
This doesn’t really answer Terry’s question (I haven’t worked with UV resin I’m afraid) but I thought I’d mention it here in case it’s useful to anyone else.
2-part epoxy resin works fine over liquid Fimo, and Future. Since I started using resin, I’ve noticed that some of my older flat pieces that I covered with liquid Fimo didn’t look as good, so I experimented and found that a layer of resin over the top really improved them, gave them more strength and much more shine. And it “sticks” and doesn’t come off.
@Silverleaf: Thank for the info. Ya never know what will work til you try it ! Now when something with Future looks sad- I’ll zap it with resin :D
@pattw: Future was a floor finish before we co-opped it for our claying, if the resin won’t stay on the future, it could be removed, like you had to strip the future off a floor after so many coats. I don’t remember what it was you were supposed to use, but it can be removed if necessary.
@Ken H: I think you’re supposed to use ammonia to remove Future – if I remember the label on my bottle correctly.
You may be right, I’m at work right now, I’ll look when I get home tonight and post an answer.
Ammonia is what I use….face mask isn’t a bad investment either.
Can see all sorts of shapes. Did anyone master a morning glory? Origami?
Hi Cindy – it is so fantastic to have this encyclopedia of information at our fingertips! I check on your videos time and time again.
Today I was wondering if the fabric used on your ‘Polymerized Cloth’ tute could be denim? On the video you talk about the fabric needing to be fairly open weave. I’ve seen an increasing interest in e.g. pendants made with ‘denim’ plus another regular clay. I’d love to try my hand at this and wondered if you have any tips for working with denim fabric?
Thank you Cindy and Doug!
Marion
Hi Marion, denim should work for this technique because it is quite absorbent. It may take quite a bit more liquid to soak in and a little more coaxing to really get it into the fibers, but it should work. Try it on a small sample first though, just in case. I’d love to see what you end up making!
Thanks Cindy. Yes, I will try that and hope to send you a photo of my effort. How do I do that?
Marion
Looking forward to seeing them Marion! You can post your photos at the Facebook Members Gallery Page
How do I remove the two part resin that I got from Michaels some time ago. I think I tried it before I bought the UV resin. The pieces are good so I was wondering if I can save them by removing the resin??
Hi Cherie, that could be a tough one. I haven’t tried it, but maybe acetone will work? Try Googling ‘removing resin’ and see if anything comes up. Now you have me curious!
I know that tarn-x (available at Walmart and many big box stores) works fairly well on removing uv resin spills but I am not sure how well it would work on two part resins. My source was Gera Scott Chandler’s blog from a few years ago. I see Cindy was commenting then as we were all on the uv resin bandwagon at that time.
Hi Cherie! Your problem triggered my curiosity so I googled “removing resin” and found a couple of methods you might wish to try.
Never have done this myself, but can sure see with bubbles and whatnot, why you might want to strip it off and try another finishing method, or reapply the same finish.
Wikihow gives three methods, heat with acetone, freezing, and application of chemicals
westsystem.com/ss/clean-up-removing advises heat, scraping then sanding
ehow.co.uk/how_7273416_dissolve-epoxy-resin.html uses paint thinner but then gives the tip: “If you are unable to dissolve the epoxy, gently sand it away with medium grit sandpaper.”
Since wet sanding is already part of our finishing repertoire, think that’s the method I would try first, wearing a mask, goggles and gloves.
Freezing kind of intrigues me since polymer clay bends when well baked, and if you used canned air or the freezer to chill the epoxy layer then bent the piece, the resin might just crack and be able to be peeled or chipped off.
Certainly wish you the best of luck, and hope you can save your hard work.
Another interesting source: tedpella.com/technote_html/Reworking_Cured_Epoxy.pdf
I purchased Volume-032 Back Issue Package and when I go to the video it says the adobe flash is blocked. How can I watch the materials I paid for? Thank you.
Hi Melissa – I responded to your email about this issue. For account and technical support, communicating via email is the fasted way to get this kind of stuff resolved quickly :)