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| polymer clay tools for beginner |
Always use
all the polymer clay tools for clay work only; do not use them for food or
other purposes. Though polymer clay is certified as a nontoxic art supply, still
hope one doesn’t want to find cooked bits of hard clay in your next batch of
cookies or jams. It is very important to keep the polymer clay tools separate from
normal cooking tools. polymer clay does not release fumes but still keeps the
tools separate from others.
1. Non-Stick Work Surface
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| nonstick surface |
To start work on any project, we need a perfect surface to have a better
result. Same with polymer clay. Before being baked, polymer clay is soft so the
surface may get interfere with the project or techniques and makes its stamp on
polymer clay. To avoid this surface stamp on polymer clay, we need a smooth
clean surface. Using a silicone baking or clay mat helps
to keep the polymer clay project surface smooth and surface mark free. The
silicon mat won't move while working and
can be wiped off for easy clean-up. Remember the silicon mat is that mat
cannot be used for cutting the clay. Using a knife or sharp tools may cut the
silicone mat so for cutting part in a polymer clay project, an acrylic slab or
ceramic slab is the best choice. These slabs are available easily.
2. Acrylic Roller
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| acrylic roller with slab |
Before you begin to work with polymer clay, the clay must need to be conditioned. Conditioning helps to reduce the air bubbles trapped inside the clay. When polymer clay sits, the ingredients used with polymer clay like other colored clay or rhinestones or patterns or beads or metal filings got separated and hence need to be mixed again. Conditioning the polymer clay strengthens and warms it to make it easier to work with to make smooth shapes and textures. Polymer clay can be conditioned by hand without a clay machine or the pasta-making machine. To condition polymer clay with help of hands, flatten it with a clean and smooth acrylic roller. Fold and roll it with the roller again, and repeat 20–25 times until the clay is warm and supple. while folding the clay for conditioning, make sure air bubbles are not trapped between the polymer clay layers. so while folding and rolling, press it properly to avoid air bubbles. You can also knead the clay with your hands in any way that is comfortable for you. while conditioning the clay, one cane tries by creating logs, twisting it, or forming it into a pancake shape or a ball and squashing it flat which is easier and having fun. Several different kinds of rollers like silicon roller, rubber roller, or my favorite acrylic roller can be used for conditioning and shaping clay. Silicone and rubber rollers will help smooth the clay, while acrylic and metal rollers are perfect for _ attending to the clay and making thin pieces.
3. Sharp Knife Tool
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| sharp knife tool |
A
sharp cutting blade tool is needed to cut the clay project smoothly with no
drag, which will preserve the colors/design without distortion or to reveals the inner colors of that polymer clay cane or clay kaleidoscope
cane. Polymer clay cutting blades are
long, thin sharp razor blades made
especially for clay cutting. These
blades are without a handle as it is broad enough to hold them. Wipe the blade with a wet wipe to remove
any clay build-up as you work, or the
clay build-up will tend to pull the clay being sliced. A knife tool is necessary to
cut shapes out of polymer clay final sheets or to add detail to a working design piece.
4. Modelling Tools/ shaper tools
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| clay shaper tools |
While working with polymer clay projects like making patterns with different colour clay or making small holes or dig shapes into it. making it with hands or tools, leaves finger prints or edges or irregular surface or holes. for a perfect final result, we need to smooth the edges or patterns , to clear and and every details , modelling clays tools play this role. A set of modeling tools will give your polymer clay project the texture you want in even the smallest nooks and corners.
5. Sandpaper
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| sandpaper |
Sandpaper is used after the polymer clay final piece is baked and cooled down. Sandpaper is used to rub away any imperfections in the polymer clay final piece by leaving a smooth surface behind and by giving a professional-grade creation. One of the best tools to do rubbing the clay project is sandpaper sheets. It will get rid of things like fingerprints or air bubbles or any extra edges or parts on the clay project without damaging the project. Always be sure to have a wide range of grits for the best results.
6. A Slicing Blade
A slicing
blade is one of the most useful tools
for cutting polymer clay. A slicing blade was used to cut strips from the polymer
clay blocks and make straight cuts where needed. A slicing blade also gives a
nice, smooth cut on the edges of items. This tool has a very sharp blade.
Be careful while working with the slicing blade to avoid cutting yourself with the sharp edge.
7. Small scissors
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| scissor |
A
small scissor is used to cut very thin layers of baked
polymer clay easily, if you wanted to cut out your
designs from a rough shape that way and then sand them with sandpaper, rather
than using polymer clay cutters on unbaked clay. It completely depends on how
you want things to be done with less
effort for better results, but a good set of
small scissors is good to have even if you are afraid
to use the blade for such work.
8. Zipper bag
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| zipper bag |
To
keep safe your polymer clay projects like earrings, necklace or rings you need
a bag. The zipper bag is my favorite for this part. available in various sizes and
not a burden to our pocket. The zipper bag keeps safe the project for use when
needed. we can keep the unbaked polymer clay also as it keeps it safe from dirt
and away from toddlers.
9. Oven
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| oven |
Make sure you have an oven! polymer clay needs to be baked after completing the project. polymer clay remains soft till it is baked. it is recommended to use 110 degrees and 10 minutes to bake the clay. baking for a long time may burn the clay. You can use your home oven for baking the polymer clay project. If you want, your baking plate not to get stamped from the clay piece, it is best to use the parchment paper.
10. Varnish
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| UV Resin |
Adding a thin uniform layer of varnish to a baked design can provide an extra waterproof and hardened layer over the clay, adding a professional and sturdy finish. for this, uv resin or epoxy resin, or mod podge can be used which is easily available nearby.
11. Piercing tool
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| toothpick |
Use a toothpick, skewer, or our Needle End Pointer to pierce holes in the polymer clay project. A toothpick also helps to remove air bubbles from baked polymer clay projects.
If you make a buying deal via the links available in this article, I receive a little commission as these are affiliate links, that help support this site.
If you want to purchase complete kits for beginner then you can go with this kit
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| clay tools kit |
visit my tutorial https://theblingon.blogspot.com/2022/02/how-to-make-easy-diy-polymer-clay.htm
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