Recycle!

Protect your polymer clay works from dust!

Cover your polymer clay work station with recycled plastic.

I used the plastic from the pillow we recently bought. It was luckily ideal because it was thick and big and covered my workstation well.

Freshly Baked

My first batch of polymer clay bakery. =P

23 February 2011

I have molded this a few weeks back already but only baked it recently, very giddy giddy me during the baking. =)

Clay Fest

I went to the Clay Fest last February 26, 2011 and just couldn't resist buying for myself these work of art.

Carmy's Clayworks has the most excellent details! 

Storing Your Polymer Clay

It is best to store your clay in a cool dry place, away from sunlight and heat to prolong its shelf life and keep it from crumbling into flaky pieces.

I store mine inside tight lid tin cans and as much as possible, use the same plastic packaging in keeping it separated from each other. Otherwise, you can use wax paper to keep the clay of different colors segregated. You can also use food grade plastic or Ziploc’s. Clay tends to react badly in plastic containers, according to some books I’ve read so better watch out for that one.

I have just tested my polymer clay skills last night and, well... it's not bad. =)

Pinay Crafter Tip #001

Always keep separate blades, knives, and scissors for your different types of craft projects to ensure optimum performance (i.e. keep its sharpened state and prevent it from being blunt).

A different set for your polymer clay use, another one for paper crafts, and an additional set for your sewing needs. ♥♥♥

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! ♥

Getting Started on Polymer Clay

Getting Started on Polymer Clay

-First, cut your nails. If your the super nail polish kind of girl and couldn’t let go of those posh nails, well, it really is up to you. But if you are like me who does not like anything to get stucked in those nails, clip it. I’d remove those nail polish, too, since they tend to chip off and you would not want those nail polish chips sticking on your hard worked projects.

-Prepare your tools. For me, I’d wash my tiles and dry it off completely first. Dust-off my sculpting-detailing tools.

*I will be updating this post. I just have to go get started on my creative creations right now… ta-ta.

Polymer Clay Tools — Updated

Polymer Clay Tools — Updated. Total Cost of Added items | PHP 809.00

I’m training myself to work on a budget and it’s really hard to choose which tools you need the most. I picked up an acrylic brayer (PHP 316.00) but had to leave it behind and come back for it on the next budget for polymer clay tools. Reeeeaallly hard. I tell you. I just want to buy them all for myself! *.~ But hey, a lady’s got to be smarter than that, and we women are known for our self-control, so I managed to buy just the following:

I went to run some errands at the mall yesterday, and I just couldn’t resist dropping by Deovir to ‘check out stuff’. So, check-out turned to purchase and I am only glad! I now have an | Acrylic Roller (Sculpey for PHP 375.00) | Wood Sculpting Tools (PHP 171.00) | Parchment Paper (PHP 14.00) which I will use for baking | Kato Nu-Flex (tissue) Blade (PHP 249.00) the last one in stock | 

Before that, I went to Stitchin’ Moment to buy headpins. I got it for PHP 36.00. Again, a biiiig deep *sigh*, I find it too expensive. I am sure if I did go to Divisoria and buy it there, it will be a whole lot cheaper. Unfortunately, I can’t right now and I need it to get started on my projects on both sewing and polymer clay.

Before all that, I went to National Bookstore to buy a steel ruler. I don’t know why it skipped my mind, but it did, that Deovir might have one and I can buy it there — or maybe I did thought about it but thinking they would be of the same price, I went to buy the 6” steel ruler anyway, at National bookstore for PHP 23.00. Imagine my shock and regret to find out that the 6” steel ruler only costs PHP 12.00 at Deovir! I am never going to make National Bookstore my first option in buying my art/craft/school supplies! Waaaay oooover-priced. On a positive note, it was a good thing I decided not to buy the 12” steel ruler, which I really preferred but declined on buying it when I found out it costs PHP 69.75 (estimate amount, I glimpsed on the sticker). Again, imagine my relief when I saw that it only costs PHP 26.00 at Deovir! Goodness gracious.

Moral lesson of the story. Do not buy unless you have checked out the prices at every corner of the mall and its shops. LOL. =P

My Polymer Clay Start Up Kit

My Polymer Clay Start Up Kit. Total Cost | PHP 1,202.00 | 05 Feb 2011 purchase date

I did not buy this ‘in kit’ but these were the items I bought, that I figured should get me started on working on polymer clay and just adding the rest bit by bit, or as much as your budget allows for a hobby (which in my case is almost 100% of my disposable income. Huh. =P ).

Items:

Sculpey III (PHP 97.00 each) | Colors: Ballerina (1209) | Lt. Pink Pearl (1102) | Spring Lilac (1216) | White (001) |

 (I opted for this brand since I am only starting, but for the oh-oh-serious projects, I’d go for Premo for durability and if the colors are not available on Premo, Kato Clay.) 

Kato Clay (PHP 110.00 each) | Colors: Black (11) | Beige Flesh (18) |

(My choice of colors are based on the projects I have in mind, which will be posted here once finished. *.~)

(I would have sticked to Sculpey III only. Unfortunately, the store Deovir SM North branch I bought it with, ran out of black and beige on both Sculpey III and Premo clay lines until March.)

Sculpey Clay Tool Starter Set (PHP 328.00)

Sculpey Satin Glaze (PHP 235.00) and Brush (PHP 31.00)

I would have bought more, really. *sigh*

Creative Space

Tiles.

The small one (pink), I am going to use for baking the polymer clay by putting a piece of parchment paper on top of it. The polymer clay creations should be placed on top of the parchment paper to protect it from sticking on the tiles. Tiles are a good choice for baking as it would evenly distribute the heat during the curing time of the clay. I would have preferred a white tile for this size as well, only it is not available. They do have other white tiles but none of which have a smooth texture (which I require in order not to leave any deformations on my clay during curing time as the clay becomes soft some time during curing before it hardens) I will look into Wilcon Depot if they have white tiles of the same or better smooth texture and smaller size.

The big one, I am going to use as my creative space (or work space to some…) and mold and mold and design my polymer clay! =)

I did not enroll to any tutorial classes since I find it too expensive, whereas I can learn by myself. I am a self-taught crafter! Nevertheless, I do intend to enroll once my schedule and my budget (I’d rather splurge on supplies and tools first and learn by myself) can squeeze it. In that regard, I read craft books and magazines, one I would really, really, really, recommend is The Polymer Clay Cookbook: Tiny Food Jewelry to Whip Up and Wear by Jessica & Susan Partain. They really give good advice on affordable polymer clay tools alternatives like tiles instead of the expensive bake pans, and it works better too!

These tiles on cost PHP 39.75 (big tile-PHP 25.00 | small tile-PHP14.75). Whereas, a non-grease bake pan would cost you roughly PHP118+ at a minimum. Cheap alternative isn’t it? =)