Showing posts with label bling on. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bling on. Show all posts

Mastering the Art of Polymer Clay: A Comprehensive Guide


 Introduction:

Polymer clay is a versatile and enjoyable medium that allows artists and craft enthusiasts to create intricate and detailed sculptures, jewelry, and decorative items. It is a type of modeling clay that remains soft and workable until baked, resulting in a durable and long-lasting finished product. In this article, we will explore the various aspects of using polymer clay and provide step-by-step instructions to help you get started on your polymer clay journey.

  1. Choosing the Right Polymer Clay: Polymer clay comes in different brands, colors, and formulations, each with its own characteristics. When selecting polymer clay, consider factors such as firmness, flexibility, and color range. Popular brands include Fimo, Sculpey, and Kato Polyclay. Experiment with different brands to find the one that suits your needs.

  2. Essential Tools and Materials: To work with polymer clay effectively, gather the following tools and materials:

  • Polymer clay in desired colors
  • Work surface (glass, ceramic tile, or acrylic sheet)
  • Clay-dedicated tools (roller, knife, clay shapers, sculpting tools)
  • Oven or toaster oven for baking
  • Non-porous surface (parchment paper or ceramic tile) for baking
  • Sandpaper or emery boards for sanding and smoothing
  • Acrylic paints, varnishes, or sealers for finishing touches
  • Brushes, toothpicks, and cotton swabs for painting and detailing
  1. Basic Techniques and Tips: a. Conditioning the Clay: Polymer clay needs to be conditioned before use to make it soft and pliable. Knead it thoroughly until it becomes smooth and free of lumps. If the clay feels too hard, warm it up in your hands or use a pasta machine or clay conditioning machine to soften it.

b. Sculpting and Shaping: Use your hands, sculpting tools, or molds to shape the clay as desired. For intricate details, use tools like needle tools, ball styluses, or dental tools. Remember to keep your hands clean to avoid transferring dirt or oils to the clay.

c. Baking the Clay: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for baking times and temperatures. Typically, polymer clay is baked between 230°F (110°C) and 275°F (135°C) for 15-30 minutes per 1/4 inch (6mm) thickness. Place your creations on a non-porous surface and monitor the baking process closely to prevent overbaking.

  1. Advanced Techniques: a. Millefiori Technique: This technique involves creating intricate patterns and designs within the clay. It involves layering and compressing different colors of clay, then slicing the resulting "cane" to reveal the pattern. These slices can be used to decorate beads, pendants, or other items.

b. Texturing and Stamping: Texture sheets, stamps, and texture-making tools allow you to add texture and patterns to your clay. Press them gently onto the clay surface to create interesting designs and effects.

c. Liquid Clay and Transfers: Liquid polymer clay can be used to create translucent layers, faux enamel effects, or to transfer printed images onto the clay. Experiment with different techniques such as image transfers, marbling, or creating faux stained glass effects.

  1. Finishing and Curing: After baking, allow your polymer clay creations to cool completely before handling them. If desired, sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper or emery boards to smooth any imperfections. Apply acrylic paints, varnishes, or sealers for a glossy or matte finish. Attach findings, wires, or other components to complete your jewelry or decorative items.


Conclusion: Polymer clay offers endless possibilities for artistic expression. Whether

you are a beginner or an experienced artist, mastering the art of polymer clay opens up a world of creativity. By following the steps and techniques outlined in this article, you can create beautiful and unique sculptures, jewelry, and decorative pieces that showcase your skills and imagination. So, gather your tools, let your creativity flow, and enjoy the journey of working with polymer clay.



follow me on my youtube channel





POLYMER CLAY TOOLS FOR BEGINNER

 

polymer clay tools
polymer clay tools for beginner



 To get your work done with polymer clay in a professional way or you planning to sell your polymer clay projects on an eCommerce site or in your own shop, even if you have just started using it or you're an expert, all you truly gone need is some polymer clay basic tools. Polymer clay is wonderfully resilient, pliable, and easy to mold into any shape. When the polymer clay is baked, it becomes strong and firm but not that hard means it can be broken. Tools are needed to make your polymer clay work easy and look more professional. Whether you are making earrings or patterns or necklaces or any sculpture out of polymer clay, tools help to smooth out the edges for a clean look, add texture lines for pattern-making tasks that give your project a beautiful finish, and more! Just imagine a good project of polymer clay having fingerprints, rough edges, circles, or not-so-sharp square edges as you needed? would it be appreciated by anyone?

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

silicon mat
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.

SHOP CLAY MAT

2. Acrylic Roller

acrylic roller
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.

SHOP CLAY ROLLER

3. Sharp Knife Tool

polymer clay tools
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. 

SHOP CLAY KNIFE TOOL

4. Modelling Tools/ shaper tools


clay tools
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.

SHOP CLAY MODELING SET

5.  Sandpaper

sandpaper
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.

SHOP CLAY  SANDPAPER

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.

shop slicing blade


7. Small scissors

polymer clay tools
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.

You can buy a set of small scissors anywhere, or you may use one that is already in your house!  but make sure that if you are using that scissor for clay part should not be used for another purpose. it is available both online and in nearby craft stores, you’ll have no trouble getting your hands on some.

shop scissor


8. Zipper bag

zipper bag
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. 

Shop zipper bag


9. Oven 

baking oven
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.

shop oven


10. Varnish 

uv resin
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.

Shop varnish


11. Piercing tool

polymer clay tools
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

clay tools kit
clay tools kit


shop kit



visit my tutorial https://theblingon.blogspot.com/2022/02/how-to-make-easy-diy-polymer-clay.htm

How to make steampunk jewelry

  

Steampunk jewellery or you can say vintage technology looks like the jewelry world. The fashion and accessories for this style are continually growing in popularity. So here are more steampunk jewelry tutorials to inspire

Steampunk jewelry got its name from steam, the Victorian era of the 1800s, the invention of steam power, art, romance, and much more. Steampunk jewelry ideas grabbed popularity from science-fiction writing that was set in the steam age of the Victorian Era. steampunk jewelry cultivates DIY flavor.

Steampunk is a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction.  steampunk jewelry is all about industrial and mechanical kinds of stuff like gears, nuts springs, metal stampings to be assembled to form a romantic piece of art like bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, and pendants not only for women but also for men. so one can say that steampunk jewelry is more incongruous with jewelry.

Steampunk jewelry ideas feature mechanical primarily and industrial components unlike other jewelry components like- metal gears, and old watch parts which are soldered, riveted, stacked, and wired. this jewelry doesn’t require any costly materials just waste or junk or old bits of metal ephemera beautifully arranged or soldered or wired to make a steampunk accessory. Cast-iron and wood instead of aluminum. Silk and linen instead of polyester. Brass and glass and rubber instead of plastic. Welding instead of superglue. Rivets instead of injection molding. Leather belts and buckles instead of Velcro. One more fantastic thing is you can use polymer clay, resin, or air dry clay with these metal components to finish your steampunk jewelry.

It is an ideal jewelry style for those of us who love collecting all those little pieces, from our old friends, family members, or from our loved ones. The goal of Steampunk is to fashion and inhabit a unique way of fashion sense.

A world where the awe and romance inspired by humanity’s pursuit of scientific knowledge is reflected in our tools, furniture, architecture, literature, art, and fashions.

Here Are A Few Steampunk Jewelry Making Materials You Can Collect

1. Metal Finding And Chains: An important component in steampunk style jewelry. available in different colors and designs in shops. for steampunk jewelry, dull-colored chains are preferable to me.

2. Glass: glass can be your old hand watch glass or small glass pieces or glass beads to make your steampunk jewelry more attractive. one can use these pieces with fabrics for necklaces, hats, or bracelets.

3. Stones: stones like opal, ruby, sapphire. amber, freshwater pearl, jasper, coral, and turquoise used in steampunk art make it look luxuries. Using stones in steampunk work related to trade route history. more you are creative with your art, and more ideas will be there to use these materials.

4. Found Objects: It's my favorite materials things when comes to making steampunk work.  found object means time traveling pieces of stuff like an old watch, a used purse or your one lost shoe or heels,  your old denim, rusted keys, and other mechanical types of equipment.

5. Charms: components in steampunk style jewelry include keys, skulls, wings, snakes, flowers, name printed tags religious symbols, dragons, festival symbols, and message metals tags. These charms are found in different sizes. some use polymer clay or resin to make light weights or glowing charms.

6. Beads:- Available in different shapes and materials of crystals, glass, porcelain, metals , clay, or woods.  An important part of ornaments and easy to find.

7. Eyelets:- Two-part brass findings. lend a smooth metal lining to a hole in metal or leather.

8. Fabrics: talking about fabrics for steampunk jewelry, used to give a romantic effect to our finished piece of work. netted fabric, faux leather, denim, or leather pieces to make bracelets or necklaces. It's better to use recycled leather from used boots or coats or old purses.

9. Threads: to string beads and stitch fabrics and even stitch metal apart from the fabric.

10. Filigree

11. connectors, jewelry tools, lobster lock, jump rings, clasps, and lock beads.

Designing Your Own Stunning Eye-Catching Steam Punk Jewelry

when comes to making your own DIY steampunk jewelry collection, one does not need to go to the shop to buy beads or heavy stones or some other kinds of stuff. so, what are

we going to need to make it? your old alarm watch, random typewriter key, a bunch of loose buttons, an old purse or shoe for leather, old denim for jeans. yes, you need to have to use these odds stuff to get into work.

get started with your creative designer mind for some steampunk ideas to work with all the gathered stuff. just be creative and experimental with your steampunk work and capture your styles and taste in your DIY steampunk art.

for making steampunk jewelry, you need to first collect all your findings accordingly to your design. start with the basic and a simple idea of jewelry.  remember when it comes to steampunk, the more eclectic and unusual, the better!

this is the steampunk pendant we are going to make today

Materials We Needed For This:-

1. nail foil( some vintage) or just old newspaper cutting

2. brass one-sided open pendant holder

3. some mechanical parts

4. chain

5. lobster locks

6. epoxy resin or UV resin

steps:-

1. cut the nail foil or old newspaper according to the size of the pendant and place it inside of it. if you are using old newspaper cutting, use mod podge to seal and coat the paper.

2. now arrange the gear or mechanical equipment as your wish. no need to use glue or any other sticking material

3. pour resin over the piece. here, if you are using uv resin so just pour a thin layer of it and place it under uv light to dry and repeat again and again to fill the pendant.  Now if you are working with epoxy resin, the need to be careful with the instruction given with the resin bottle. mix accordingly and let it dry in a dust-free area.

4. ta-da your steampunk pendant is ready. put it in a chain.

5. using plugger and jump ring, attach a lobster lock to one end of the chain and one more jump ring to the other end of the chain

6. here. your own creative charming DIY steampunk necklace is ready for you.

you can watch the complete tutorial on youtube.

https://youtu.be/jRpImV2p49I

Are you looking for some inspiration? here are some works of steampunk jewelry ideas from a google search.

Applications

many steampunk artists explore themes of form and function, so a lot of steampunk art serves a dual purpose. not only are they objects of art in their own right, but they might be made with objects that once had a function, remade, and modified to have a new function.

Mastering the Art of Polymer Clay: A Comprehensive Guide

  Introduction: Polymer clay is a versatile and enjoyable medium that allows artists and craft enthusiasts to create intricate and detailed ...