Polymer Clay Message Board - Polymer Clay Forum - The Clay Store

mbeerman · Starting Member Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 5

Hello:

I am fairly new to the clay world and was wondering what the best polymer clay would be to make miniature things including beads. I have tried using the sculpy but feel it may be to soft. Also, how do you not leave finger prints on our creations??

Thanks in advance!

Brookies Rae · Clay Commander Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 38

I use sculpey. They also have other types and colors. You can make it harder by putting the clay inbetween 2 peices of paper and flatten it inbetween. This gets some of the oil that makes it soft.

As far as getting the finger prints off. What I have done is sanding it. I got out my old electric manicure set that was hidden lol. But this is after it was baked. I have heard of using gloves but I don't like wearing gloves.
I wonder if those liquid bandaids work?

Also, if you cool the clay before you work with it, it might make it stiffer.

mbeerman · Starting Member Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 5

Thank you Brookies, that info is very helpful. I have thought of useing the gloves too but not sure if I would be comfy wearing them.

I was also wondering if the bead maker they sell that makes the smaller beads is worth the money and if it really works or not. Was thinking of purchasing it so I can make rounder beads easier.

Thanks for the reply.

Brookies Rae · Clay Commander Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 38

I want one also. I also need to get those small wooden things that look like long tooth picks. Those make it easier to bake with holes, and it keeps it off the pan so there isn't a flat spot. Which I haven't seen.

I looove this book.
polymer clay techniques

mbeerman · Starting Member Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 5

I have the Polymer Caly Techniques book...just got it. It really has some good pictures in it. I also have The Sculpey Way book for making scluptures of animals and alot of different things...that is a good book too.

catlady13 · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 3:51 pm Post subject:

The Clay Store has the long metal pins for baking beads...and Poly-Tools.com or 1800-397-5201 has the rack and it holds 27 bead piearcing pins...the clay store may also have..not sure or price...I want one of these too...oh and by the way... you can use a no. 2 or no.4 sable filbert paintbrush to stoke the clay and even it smooth...make the bristles slightly siff by grooming a little raw clay into them stroke in the direction of the bristles to keep smooth....you can then smooth this into tiny cracks and corner...as the bristles become clogged and stiff clean them with waterless hand cleaner.....this is as per hot to make clay characters by maureen carlson....another north light book1-800-289-0963 or maybe through clay store....bye Smile

mbeerman · Starting Member Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 5

Thank you Catlady13...great tips! Actually, I just got done with my first two beads and I think they turned out pretty good, I finally wound up using my fingers and a bit of water to smooth off fingerprints, that seems to work ok but I may try your tip. This is getting really fun!

catlady13 · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 8:24 pm Post subject:

you are welcome..it just keeps gettin better and better too....clay on!..Kathy Wink

christinelwolfe · Starting Member Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 5

I'n very new to polymer clay and just yesterday tried out a bead roller by Amaco. It makes sm. round, oval and small beveled beads. I am very happy with the results. If your focus is bead making, the bead rack mentioned above that is listed on The Clay Store site as well as others I'm sure. Seems like an excellent tool, I've beem eyeing it myself.

mbeerman · Starting Member Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 5

I just purchased the poly-tools small bead roller from TCS today! It does the round beads from 8mm to 3mm. I am excited to get it...I just can't seem to roll a perfectly round bead that is satisfactory to me so shall see how the bead roller does! I am also going to try out the bead pins...can't wait to get my order!

catlady13 · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:58 pm Post subject:

I haven't tried the bead roller but it sounds great...my round beads tend to look like mismatched peas...tee hee Embarassed