A Little Goes A Long Ways!
Over the last little bit I have been experimenting with the new Studio by Sculpey line of products to see how they work, and to figure out ways to incorporate them into my polymer clay bead making techniques. Today I’d like to discuss the Studio by Sculpey Antiquing Medium in Chocolate Brown.
You may have already seen me use acrylic glass paints for antiquing polymer clay… like in this video on Rubber Stamp Textured Beads. Faux “aging” can add a lot of unique character to certain types of jewelry projects.
Using a paint or an antiquing medium in the crevices of textured beads, helps to show off the detail and design of the beads much better than leaving them plain.
On dark colored beads, it’s usually best to go with light colored antiquing mediums. And the opposite is true in using darker antiquing mediums on lighter colored beads. However for a more subtle effect, you can use light with light and dark with dark if you choose.
Now getting back to the Studio by Sculpey Antiquing Medium, it is more of a glaze than a paint. The color is somewhat translucent. And it has more “open” time than paint does, so it is easier to wipe off.
To apply, simply brush on a small amount (a little goes a long way), making sure you get into all the nooks and crannies of the bead. Then using a paper towel you wipe the surface of the bead, leaving the antiquing medium in the crevices.
I really liked the color of this Chocolate Brown. It left a nice realistic aged patina even on the areas where the color was wiped off. It sells for $4 a bottle (118ml / 4 fl oz), which is pretty good value since you use very little at a time. Looks like I’ll have to pick up a bottle of the White Glaze as well. I can see it coming in pretty handy!
BTW: If you missed my first two articles in this mini-series focusing on the Studio by Sculpey line of products, here are the links:
- Studio by Sculpey Polymer Clay – Oven Bake Clay for Bead Making
- Quick Notes About Some Studio by Sculpey Polymer Clay Tools
Sorry for the off topic post, but I think Michaels has the clay on sale again 4 for $5. I signed up for an email ad from them, not sure if it’s online or in the stores.
“even on the areas wear the color was wiped off.”
Just a heads up, wear should be where :)
Good catch Ashlyn… the typo has been corrected. I’m guessing there are a few more of those scattered around this blog. Feel free to point them out anytime you come across one :)
@KenH – thanks for the heads up on the clay sale – gotta love those sales!
Thanks for the info Ken. On sale here in Canada as well, only it is 2 for $4.00 – go figure. Tomorrow I am off to Bellingham, WA. less than a 1/2 hour away to stock up – if there is any left.
Just a quick rant, why isn’t it easier to get PC over here (UK) and why isn’t it EVER on sale?
Cheapest I’ve found is £1.40 (about 2.30 USD). A 4 for $5 (about £3) would be fantastic.
You’re welcome everyone, if you go to Michaels’ website, you can sign up for e-mail delivery of their ad circular, that’s how I found it.
@ Silverleaf
Could it be that there are some kind of import regulations on it or something?
Unfortunatly the closest I’ve been to England was at 40K feet on my way to a vacation in Egypt.
@Ken I think it’s probably just to do with the distance it has to travel, but that doesn’t explain why Fimo (Germany) is cheaper in the US!
Certainly it costs a lot to ship anything from the US.
That said, I’ve just ordered about 7lbs of Premo from eBay (someone clearing out a stash) for £50. Pretty good deal, as I’m used to paying £1.40 for 2oz. Yay!
Yes, I love the antiquing mediums and sometimes I even cheat by adding a bit of pearl powders to it–White gets peal iridecent and brown gets a touch of brass…just a touch..I kind of like the way it dries and looks really antique.
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What a great idea Rita…I never thought to add the pearl powders to the antiquing mediums!!! Brilliant!
@Lawrence: Looks like you live pretty darn close to me. (10 minutes) I live in Sullivan Heights, near the YMCA. Small world EH? Hope you got lots of clay!
@Silverleaf: It is probably a supply and demand thing in regards to price and availability. You just got to get more people into polymer clay over there and it will help! Have you tried eBay? Scratch that! I see your further comment says you have! :-)
@Ken: Thanks for posting this for everyone! I’m sure they all love you for it. I know I do!
@Rita: Fantastic idea! I hadn’t though of that! Bet it gives a wonderful metallic look to your pieces. Will definitely give that a try!
@Deborah: I agree! Brilliant!
@Cindy Lietz from Studio by Sculpey Glaze: I’m going to have to try this as I’m about to attempt faux bone. btw… I grew up in Bellingham and now live in Everett. I am now fondly remembering all the school trips we took to Stanley Park way back when it was an easy trip across the boarder.
@Trish: (Cute avatar btw!) I’ve got relatives in Everett so I’ve been there quite a bit. Nice to know that you are so close by. Stanley Park is a real gem isn’t it? Such a treasure for our area. There has been talk about changing the name to an Aboriginal name, after the people who were the original inhabitants of the park, but I’m not sure if that will go through or not. They have added quite a few cultural exhibits and changed the theme of the mini-railway to a Spirit Train honoring the Native art and culture of the local aboriginals, so I am sure it has changed some since you have been there last. It is a gorgeous park and would be worth coming up to see again some time!