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Question: Polymer Clay!?! Help!?!!?
umm i heard of polymer clay from some people, and they say you can make little objects!. and i wanted to try it out and make something!. but i dont have the materials and the skills!. can someone helps me!? i also heard that when your done it has to be baked!? im not sure!. i dont really know how to make one actually haha!. but is there a step by step that says you can make whatever you want and then you do this when your done blah blah and so on!. if anyone has had any of experience, can you tell me please!? thanks! it would help alot!
and im aslo thinking of making one for my friend so yeah!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Ok, you are a beginner!. I have to correct some information here!. 'Sculpey' is a 'brand' name of polymer clay by the company Polyform!. They make various types of polymer clays!. Each have different properties and should be used for different purposes!. First, SculpeyIII, great for beginners, but just for 'chunky' stuff!. Do not use it for thin areas!. It bakes very brittle!. Sculpey Premo, best there is!. I use it in all of my classes and for my own creations!. Bakes very hard and durable, yet remains slightly flexible in thin areas such as wings or petals or bookmarks!. Studio Sculpey, brand new
clay, suede like finish, bakes extremely hard!. Beautiful colours!.
Baking: 275F for 30 minutes every 1/4" thickness!. You cannot overbake polymer clay as long as your oven temperature is accurate!. That's why you can add pieces and bake again!.
Ovens: I don't recommend a toaster oven because the temperature 'spikes' and will burn your work!.
Armatures: Since you are a beginner, forget the wire and use a rolled up piece of aluminum foil!. Much easier to work with!. You use an armature if you are doing thick pieces!. This cuts down on the amount of clay you use and the length of time you need to bake!.
Painting: Comes in so many colours painting is an option!.
However, if you DO want to paint after baking, use acrylic paints!.
Step by STep lessons: Go to www!.sculpey!.com
They have hundreds of lessons, with pics!. I have contributed to these lessons numerous times!.
Have fun!. MarieWww@QuestionHome@Com
Sculpey is a brand of polymer clay you can probably pick up at any arts/crafts kind of store!. Depending on how big and what you're making you may need an armature(a wire skeleton) this can be made out of a coat hangar or armature wire if you can find it!. Basically if you're making something like 2-3 inches tall you won't need an armature but if your making a figure that's taller it's a good idea to have one!. Here's a tutorial on how this guy makes them http://isculpt!.org/index!.php/all/2008/03!.!.!.
It can be baked and then painted/glazed just avoid overbaking it!. Instuctions for the particular type will be on the back of the box!.
*Edit* It's a good idea to also pick up some sculpting tools when you buy the clay as well, normally they sell a fairly inexpensive (like a few dollars) variety pack of plastic tools with a variety of different head shapes!. Don't waste your money on the really expensive ones though as your hands and some toothpicks can accomplish a lot!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Yep, I agree, Sculpey is the best of polymer clay!. They have some idea books they sell with the clay!. You can get a variety of colors!. You can leave as is or paint it after it's baked!. Yes, you bake them in the oven or a toaster oven (made for crafts) for like 10-15 minutes, for small objects!. Its a fantastic medium to work with, especially for crafts & begginer sculptors!. I'm actually a proffessional sculptor & I use Polymer clay all the time!. Its really great stuff!. The best way to learn is just go buy some & try it!. The more you work with it the better you'll get!. The link below is for the National Polymer Clay Guild, they may have step by step help for you!. You can also use things like eating utensils, nail files, letter openers & just household items to sculpt with but they do have inexpensive kits of tools next to the polymer clay, (in any art supply store or local art shops)!. I know people who create a sculpture then bake them as is & its a finished piece & then there are some who bake solid blocks of it & then carve into them after they're baked with Dremels & sanders, etc!. & make sculptures that way!. Have fun!Www@QuestionHome@Com