BEGINNER
Whether or not you’re a full novice or a seasoned clayer, there’s at all times one thing new to study; so in some respects, we’re all inexperienced persons, so take coronary heart and get caught in to your new problem.
Listed below are some ideas that will help you in your means…
JUST PLAY!
Experiment, practise methods, make your self a color reference chart or clean bases and parts – there are many methods to get these artistic juices flowing – and practise, practise, practise! You might have a masterpiece in thoughts (or not) however simply play with none expectation and simply see what occurs. If that’s not for you, get along with a good friend, discover a native group you may be a part of or e-book in a while with somebody with extra expertise or a tutor.
If you happen to can’t get out and about, comply with our YouTube channel in addition to these of different clayers, such because the Polymer Clay Tutor, and in addition learn our previous weblog posts for some easy methods. For these with extra expertise, there are some fabulous free and paid tutorials on-line. The British Polymer Clay Guild even have a pleasant members-only Fb Group the place we share concepts, ideas, methods and showcase our makes. Over the subsequent few months, we can be including new tasks to the web site. We even have a month-to-month members’ raffle to win all types of goodies, from books and instruments, to clay and tutorials.
When you’re feeling extra assured in your expertise, we advocate going alongside to workshops, the place you’ll study extra than simply the venture or approach being promoted, but in addition tips and ideas for working efficiently with polymer clay. Within the UK, Cara Jane Hayman runs Polymania each March. In 2019, we’re trying ahead to seeing Christi Friesen on twenty fifth & twenty sixth Could on the BPCG's Kidderminster department; on 4th, fifth & sixth October on the Anglian Polymer Clay Guild we’ll see Cara Jane Hayman from the UK, Tina Mezek from Slovenia, and from the USA, Ginger Davis Allman. The London Polymer Clay Group additionally maintain common workshops.
BASIC KIT
Getting began doesn’t should be costly. There are many instruments you could have already got round your own home that can be utilized with polymer clay. While we all know that the standard manufacturers of clay are non-toxic, it’s at all times advisable to have devoted instruments for clay and don’t reuse them for meals; cookie cutters, for instance.
High quality polymer clay – as tempting as it’s, don’t purchase low-cost clays from manufacturers you haven’t heard of. They’re typically not very sturdy, the substances might be doubtful and untested, and the standard could be inconsistent. Keep on with manufacturers you’ve heard of and ask round if mates have leftovers you may ‘play’ with. Clay warmed as much as body-temperature is far softer to work with than chilly clay – simply sit on it (lined!) or squeeze it in your fingers for some time. Do not forget that it doesn’t dry out, so that you’re not dedicated to any design till it’s ‘cured’ and even then, you could possibly cowl with extra clay or paint it. There are many issues you are able to do with ‘mud’ colored clay!! Clay could be blended collectively like paints to create new colors, so begin with some primary colors, plus plenty of black and white.
Worksurface – a {smooth} floor is the best. Most individuals use a big ceramic tile or {smooth} glass chopping board. Smaller tiles are useful too for items that should be turned as they’re labored on, and the tiles may also be popped straight into the oven.
Chopping instruments – you can begin with only a sharp knife or scalpel, however in the event you’re having fun with working with polymer clay, it’s value investing in at the least a inflexible and versatile tissue blade to begin with. They’re skinny and VERY sharp.
Curler – ideally you want one which the clay doesn’t stick with. A smooth-sided jar or bottle works okay, however we discover an acrylic rod works greatest. If the clay is sticky, put a chunk of greaseproof paper on prime and roll it out that means.
Oven – clay could be ‘cured’ in an everyday oven however getting the temperature proper could be vital and in our expertise most kitchen ovens lie! Digital thermometers are definitely worth the funding to keep away from baking disasters and are comparatively cheap. We’ll be protecting extra about curing within the subsequent weblog put up.
Different instruments – Greaseproof paper is useful to maintain clay at hand and foil for creating armatures and protecting up work in progress and whereas curing. There’s a ton of instruments mendacity round that can be utilized, from rulers to knitting needles, previous (clear) toothbrushes to previous bank cards, and an entire host of issues to make textures – you’ll have fairly a group earlier than you recognize it!
Query: I’ve seen lots of people utilizing pasta machines – do I would like one?
No. Not less than, not till you assume you wish to dedicate extra time to claying. Pasta machines are helpful as a result of they’ll take a number of the onerous work out of ‘conditioning’ the clay (kneading it to a usable state), but in addition for making sheets of clay at a fair thickness and mixing color blends. However all these methods are doable with out one, they simply take a little bit longer. For even thicknesses, stack enjoying playing cards both facet of the clay to get the thickness you need (make thickness samples so you could have them for future reference). We’ll cowl color mixing and mixing in a later weblog put up. If you’d like a pasta machine, ask mates and neighbours if they’ve one gathering mud or test flea markets, automotive boot gross sales and eBay for cheap choices.
For extra glorious prime ideas and free recommendation, take a look at the Blue Bottle Tree's web site by Ginger Davis Allman:
Have any questions? Do you could have any useful ideas for inexperienced persons? Let’s share the love of polymer clay!
#britishpolymerclayguild #polymerclay #polymerclayforbeginners #polymerclaytutorials #polymerclayworkshops #polymania #polymerclayguild