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Club members are eligible to use the 20% discount code in the shopping cart. When your club account is set up, your shopping cart account will be changed to club member status and your discount will automatically be applied as long as you log into your account before shopping. |
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Kemper Needle Tool |
We carry this great
tool...look under Kemper Kutters. Almost every project
calls for a needle tool. |
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Clay Blade |
Every project uses a clay
blade. You can purchase these through Poly Clay Play or at your local craft store. |
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Pasta Machine |
Poly Clay Play
carries Makin's Ultimate Pasta Machine. If you don't want
to invest in this tool just yet, read instructions for making
clay sheets
http://www.polyclayplay.com/TipsTools/pasta_machine.htm. |
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(PM1) |
When you see (PM1) it is referring to
the setting used on the pasta machine for that piece of clay.
In this case you would run your clay on the #1 setting (the
largest on my Makin's Machine). |
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*Kemper 3/16".... |
In the Supplies List on each project
page, the star tells you we carry the item(s) and you can use
your 20% discount to purchase them. |
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Conditioning your Clay |
You need to knead or
squish your clay until it is soft. This mixes the PVC and
the plasticizers back together making the clay workable again.
If you don't condition your clay, it may be brittle after
baking. Some clay brands need more conditioning than others. |
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Clay |
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Clay Brands
I usually use Pardo and Prēmo! made
by Sculpey™.
They are both amoung the stronger clays but still
easy to work with. Poly Clay Play carries Pardo. |
Don't eat while
working with clay. Wash your hands after
use. The clay is nontoxic but you
shouldn't ingest it.
DO NOT use tools for food after
you have used them with clay! |
|
DO NOT use a microwave |
Use an Oven Thermometer
Clay will not cure properly if it is not baked
at the correct temperature making it weak and
sometimes brittle. |
Baking Instructions
Always follow baking instructions on the
package. Baking longer at a lower
temperature will not achieve the desired
molecular bond necessary for durability and
strength. Baking at a higher temperature
will burn the clay and can cause toxic fumes. |
Work Surface
DO NOT work with uncured clay on fine furniture.
The plasticizer in the clay will ruin wood and
some other finishes. I work on a ceramic
tile. |
|
Clay Storage Store your clay away from
light and heat. Otherwise it should last
for a very long time.
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Crumbly Clay
- Mix it with the same color of
softer clay.
- Mix in a little Liquid Clay.
- Don't toss it.
Get a mini food processor
or an old blender.
Crumble the clay into the bowl.
Add a few drops of mineral oil and
pulse it until it looks like cottage
cheese. You may have to add more
oil. When the pieces begin to stick
together you can take the clay out and
work it.
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Varnish |
I recommend either
Future Floor Finish or Varathane Water Based Clear Gloss Floor
Finish if you aren't using the new Spray Varnish I am carrying. Be careful what you use. Some products will
make your clay sticky immediately or sometimes months after you
have put it on your clay pieces. |
| Spray Varnish |
I now am carrying a wonderful Spray Varnish that works with Polymer Clay. It is so much faster than using any of the others... just spray, wait only a couple of minutes and it is shiny and protected! |
| Makin's® Professional Extruder |
Many projects call for an extruder. Please take a look at the Extruder Discs Guide. Until you decide you can't live without an extruder, you can roll snakes by hand. |
