Learn the Secrets of Making Polymer Beads

re: Learn the Secrets of Making Polymer Beads

Gyspy Mary — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:53:58 GMT

http://www.polyclayplay.com/Invitation.htm "Not a Free Site", The books listed gives me some place to start with Polymer clay. Thanks everyone.mary

re: Learn the Secrets of Making Polymer Beads

Flowermouse — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:07:20 GMT

Polymer clay is often known as a difficult medium to work with in the beginning. You can struggle a lot before you get the right result. I´ve been working with polymer clay for a year and a half now - and I love it. Best thing I´ve ever tried because you can do anything with it. And you can make wonderful things in any level with simple techniques. I also recommend this book - it´s really something for a new beginner. I also recommend looking up tutorials online. There are A LOT of free tutorials for all levels. Also: A pasta machine is a must. And with a clay gun you can easy make wonderful beads in a very easy way. Just check this out: http://paroledepate.canalblog.com/archives/2009/09/28/15190504.html Best advice: Don´t give up and have fun. Check out Flickr for jewellry made of polymer clay - that was a new world to me!! Good luck!!

re: Learn the Secrets of Making Polymer Beads

MarieG10 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:17:15 GMT

I agree Leslie. This is the best book I've ever found on polymer clay. If someone is new to polymere clay, it will open your eyes to the possibilities and walk you through every step. Fabulous book. Tips: When working on a project, I roll sheets of paper towel through my pasta machine between colors to pick up any clay or color from the rollers before rolling my next color. I also use round clay cutters of different sized to make uniform sized beads. Roll the clay to a uniform size with a pasta machine, cut out a bunch of circles, roll them into balls and you will have uniform sized beads.

re: Learn the Secrets of Making Polymer Beads

Agnes@13 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:50:58 GMT

I am so excited - i want to learn and have bought carol blackburns book and it is so easy to read and she explains everything....i just got my pasta machine today and plan the day after thanksgiving to try my hand at it. Wish me luck - i think I am ready to get hooked.....

re: Learn the Secrets of Making Polymer Beads

ALantain — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:27:42 GMT

I don't usually work with polymer clay, but through experimentation I came up with an algebraic system for mixing primary colours. I select the colours I want to combine and I roll peices of the clay into tiny balls. I then add a certain number of balls of each colour and combine until I get a secondary colour. The algebraic system refers to each new colour. 1Bl1R means 1 blue ball and 1 red ball. 1Bl2R means 1 blue ball and 2 red balls, and so forth. It's rather like mixing drops of food colouring for decorating easter eggs.

re: Learn the Secrets of Making Polymer Beads

Christine Damm — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:59:14 GMT

I started reading books on polymer clay a few years before I actually started playing with it. So many pc pioneers have made the mistakes so you don't have to make them yourself! You can learn technique from these books and still end up with your own unique style but books like Carol Blackburn's are SO valuable for basic technique and ideas for the huge range of possiblities that polymer clay offers. Then, just trust your intuition, play and lot and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Also, books like Maggie Maggio's latest on color are invaluable for color mixing and theory.

re: Learn the Secrets of Making Polymer Beads

gilsma — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:25:53 GMT

The most critical thing a beginner needs to know is that all polymer clay, even the very soft ones, must be fully conditioned before you try to make anything with it. Conditioning is necessary because the components of the clay can settle out after manufacturing, and they need to be remixed right before they are used. You just knead, roll, ball up, knead some more (or use a pasta machine) until the clay is smooth, glossy and elastic, With experience, you will know when this happens. Clay that is not properly conditioned will never develop its full strength and durability, and may be subject to breaking or shattering after it is cured. You can test clay for proper conditioning by rolling it into a "snake" and bending the snake tightly in half; if there is any cracking or breaking at the fold, continue with your conditioning until the cracking or breaking doesn't happen any more.

re: Learn the Secrets of Making Polymer Beads

TrishH@11 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:17:41 GMT

If you purchase a clay machine (pasta machine), you will not burn as many calories but you will save lots of time and effort and get to the playing much faster. I work with polymer clay throughout each month designing, producing and writing the tutorials for at least 12 projects every month for the Poly Clay Play Club. I love my job. Warning!! Polymer clay playing is addictive! *´¨) .·´ .·*¨) ¸.·*¨) * (¸.·´ (¸.*´ ¸.·´ `·-* ~* Trish ~ Find the magic in art! Happy Poly Clay Playing! http://www.polyclayplay.com/Invitation.htm Join the Poly Clay Play Club! Join the Fun!