Tipid Polymer Clay Tools

Tipid Tools.

Tools on a tight budget.

Okay. Now that I have started working on polymer clay, I have realized some money-saving tips on buying your 'start-up polymer clay tool kit'.

I know, that I did buy the 'Sculpey Clay Tool Starter Set', which cost me PHP 328.00, as one of my starter tools, not knowing any better. Anyhow, I am going to make a rundown of the really necessary things to get you started working on your polymer clay project even on a budget.

-Sculpey III (PHP 97.00) or Premo Clay (PHP110.00)

I've worked with Kato Clay and really, I prefer Sculpey III and Premo polymer clays (aside from the fact that it is cheaper, I like its plasticity. Also, Kato clay tends to be too sticky.). Still though, the choice of brand is up to you.

-Acrylic Brayer (PHP 316.00)

I would recommend getting this first instead of the 'Acrylic Roller' (whichever brand you might like, Sculpey [PHP 375.00] or Kato [PHP 559.00]). That is because, you can use the 'Acrylic Brayer' for the same purposes as with the 'Acrylic Roller', but you cannot use (or maybe it is just difficult) the 'Acrylic Roller' for some purposes of the 'Acrylic Brayer' — like smoothing the surface of your millefiori canes among other examples. Other than that, you would find it compelling to buy that 'Pasta Machine' after some time (in my case, after my first time working with clays). Pasta machine would save you time conditioning the clay, and gives you an even thickness for your clays. That being said, if you buy an 'Acrylic Brayer' and buy the 'Pasta Machine' later, you'll save money skipping on the 'Acrylic Roller' since the 'Acrylic Roller' and the 'Pasta Machine' are used for the same functions.

Super tipid tip: You may use the aluminum bottles of your body spray, nivea or L'oreal. Watch out for chipping paints that may stick on your clay, though. Or that PVC pipe lying around in your home. Anything round, actually. =)

-Safety Pins (you can buy these for as low as PHP 0.50)

Instead of buying the 'Sculpey Clay Tool Starter Set', I'd recommend buying yourself a good stash of safety pins of various sizes. Or if the budget ir really tight, one medium size is good. You can also make your own pointed tool using these safety pins and your clay. Just cut off the pointed shaft of the safety pin and attach it to a cylinder formed clay of your chosen length. Voila! You got yourself a new and customized polymer tool.

-Wooden Modeling Tools (as low as PHP 0.05 each)

I would recommend using wood modeling tools instead of plastic, since plastic has these ugly lines which may leave unwanted marks on your project and wood definitely works better on adding detail on your project. Though plastic tolls are cheaper, U-Art Modeling Tools Plastic 7 Piece Set will only cost you (PHP 83.00), I would still recommend that you go for U-Art Modeling Tools Wooden 6 Piece Set (PHP 171.00).

Super tipid tip: You can use wooden toothpicks in alternative to the 'U-Art Modeling Tools Wooden 6-pc Set'. It comes really cheap and is good for fine detailing. I keep a stash of these, even if I have the U-Art Wooden Tools already. =)

-Tiles (as low as PHP 10.00)

I have 2 types of tiles: The big one (approx 1 sq. m.), I use for my creative space (work station), and the small one, (depending on your oven size or just your preference — I prefer 4x4) I use for baking.

Super tipid tip: You can work on any flat, even surface — emphasis on even — and just cover it with white cartolina or white bond paper. Preferably, the surface is of marble, glass, or tile make. A note of caution however, paper tends to absorb the plasticizer in the clay.


-Parchment Paper (the 20x30 costs PHP14.00)

Excellent for baking. Place on top of your tile before baking your clays to prevent dents and keep your clays from sticking on to your tiles. I buy the parchment roll instead of the ones that are already cut like A4 papers, gives me more option on the sizes I would like, cheaper, too.

Super tipid tip: Your regular supply of bond paper will do, just cut it into the sizes of your preference. You can also use the bond paper as work surface for modeling clays.

-Kato NuFlex (Tissue) Blade (PHP 249.00)

You need this. Period. =) Other brands are more expensive, and this one is flexible, too. So you can use it either ways, curved or straight.

Super tipid tip: You can opt for the regular blades that can be bought on you 'suking tindahan', which would cost you somewhere around PHP 3.00 - PHP 5.00 at the least. It would be better if you can find one which is not double-blade, safer. So far though, I have not found one on my local store.

-Craft Knife (PHP 158.00)

Definitely a must-have for that fine and detailed pattern cuts on your clays and paper cuts, either for patterns for the shape of your clay or for the transferring images on clay technique.

Super tipid tip: You can just use your regular paper scissors for cutting the paper patterns but for clay carving, you can use the pointed tip of the safety pin, albeit it leaves rough and uneven edges on your work, you can smooth this with your fingers however.

-Head Pins

You might already have these at home, so you can use that instead. But if you don't have any, you can buy one pack at your local notions store. I bought mine at Stitchin' Heavenly Moment for PHP 36.00. I still find that expensive really, but better than National Bookstore, which sells it for PHP 44.00. I'm not sure where our local notions store is, if ever there is one. First choice for me is Divisoria in buying these things, but for prompt needs, this would have to do. =)

What's this for? You can use it as charm holders.

Enjoy creating! ♥