Polymer Clay DIY - all you need to craft ⋆ Kajgam

Polymer clay is a curable plastic mass, which before processing is reminiscent of plasticine. There are many varieties of modelin that are curable under temperature, light or air. Thermosetting is most often used. Polymer clay is a derivative of polyvinyl chloride or PVC.

Polymer clay

Polymer clay is on the one hand a toy from which children can independently make figurines, and on the other hand is a material used by professional artists to produce sculpture and jewelry.

Few tips at the begining

For polymer clay to be plastic, it must be warmed in the hands by kneading.
It’s worth to wash and grease your hands before starting to work (no hair or pepper will stick to it, cream will facilitate modeling)
You can make a (frosting) coating by mixing fimo liquid with dry pastels or modeling clay
Putting the mold with the polymer clay in the middle for a moment into the freezer will make the pattern will not be damaged when removing it.
If you use some tools (knives, needles, brushes) for polymer clay, you should not use them for other purposes, modeling is chemistry and you should avoid contact with food or hygiene products.
Be sure to wash your hands after finishing.

Materials

Polymer clay – thermosetting mass, to choose for color.
* FIMO – The most popular modeline brand is FIMO. They sell polymer clay in three types of classic (harder, for people dealing in handicrafts), soft (soft, good for starters or for younger ones), effect (metallic, brocade, shining).
* Astra – Cheaper, sticky to hands, in several colorful sets, From experience only white after baking changes color (it gets more yellow). We can choose: four types of 6 colored sets (basic, fluorescent, confectionery, with glitter) or a set of 12 colors (I bought, you can see in last year’s post shopping).
* CERNIT – 70 colors are available, cataloged in 5 series: Nuber one (porcelain in 34 colors), glamor (12 pearl and 6 metallic), translucent (semi-transparent in 6 colors), neon light (6 fluorescent colors), nature (6 colors giving the effects of earth and stone)
* PREMO (Sculpey) – similar to cernit
Fimo liquid – or some other method for coating, some use nail varnishes (advise), acrylic paint, adhesives (eg magician), creams or silicone. You can read about the differences on the Be Artful blog.
Dry pastels – for shading, toppings, sprinkles – decorations
Tools – needle, safety pin, brush, roller, blades, straws, toothpicks and various tips after closing
Molds – mostly from silicone, sometimes from plastic or metal (cutters) (available in online stores, eg the most popular store-for-you, as well as all kinds of handmad sales groups, for example on Modeliniarizers.
Semi-finished products – wire or wires with small wheels for driving (or screwing in) before baking;) plus basic: earwires, links, rings, ties – everything you would like to finish your miracle with, so do not hurt, chains and sticks
Glue – a droplet or two-component glue for gluing, for example sticks (from experience I know that the droplet crumbles)
Cream – cream or olive, help in creating, or save the old and crumbling polymer clay (on the water may be lumps), a little bit on your hands and we make;)
Dexterity – in the end, we have to do everything with our own hands.

Step 1 – What will you create?

Polymer clay gives you unlimited creation possibilities – because you choose form, color and a way to detail. Looking at the work of older friends, you wondered how they create such nice things? In addition to talent, there are certain ways for certain forms 😉

Let yourself be inspired and take a model challenge today;) Create perfect and unique accessories for your loved ones and yourself;)

Step 2 – Prepare the workplace

Modelin not only needs some space, but a bit of order. If you used olives or cream for work, there is a chance that the olive will mark its spheres of influence. Prepare a newspaper or glass, as a last resort, a piece of clean top. Prepare the necessary tools and space for finished products.

It is always necessary to form a modeling clay, that is, to crumble it until it is as plastic as a plasticine.

We make, we combine, we end up! and what?

Step 3 – Heat up!

Thermosetting, i.e., cures under the influence of heat. Depending on the brand of modelin, we bake our products differently. This moment can not be omitted, and the wrong time or temperature can affect the final color.

FIMO: Place the item on the aluminum foil or glass plate for 20-30 minutes at 110 ° C. The product is hardened after cooling to room temperature.
Astra: Cure in the oven at 100-140 * C for 10-15 minutes. Finished models smeared with vegetable oil take on more vivid colors.
Sculpey: (PREMO): Heat 130 °C for 30 min for every 6mm thikness of mass
Cernit: Bake in 110-130 °C for about 30 min

Know how? Well, it’s time to see it;)