For some time now I’ve been distressed that polymer clay is plastic and questioning whether or not I must be including extra of it to the world. Whereas on the lookout for eco pleasant choices for polymer clay, I discovered this article by Wendy Moore the place she discusses her personal concerns on the accountable use of polymer clay. Despite the fact that I don’t depend on my creations as a livelihood (as the ladies of Samunnat do), I’ve found that making issues is significant for my psychological well being.
I’ve thought-about whether or not there are alternate options that I’d discover equally satisfying, however I haven’t considered something but. Making lampwork glass beads would require fixed burning of gasoline whereas I’m working and I’d now not be immediately involved with the items as a result of excessive temperatures. Earth clays would dry out and be wasted because of my erratic availability of time (to not point out requiring a furnace to remedy). Even wool felt may be thought-about to have a unfavorable ecological impression when contemplating the manufacturing of dyes (I don’t know if pure dyes may get the brilliant colors I’d need).
There doesn’t appear to be an ideal answer, simply relative enhancements. Since I have already got a inventory of polymer clay, it appears higher for me to give attention to utilizing it with out creating waste till there’s a extra sustainable choice. Unbaked clay is not any drawback (generally I don’t have sufficient) as it may be infinitely reused as a base with ornamental veneers on prime. Nevertheless there are methods e.g. carving that I actually like which end in baked polymer clay scraps. (I additionally gather the scraps produced when drilling beads.)
I’ve beforehand used the baked polymer scraps decoratively by rolling them into the floor of unbaked clay to make “frit” beads. I’ve additionally used scraps as inclusions in skinny sheets of clay that I bake and use for creating mosaic items. Since making the mosaics ends in extra tiny offcuts I made a decision to check how far I may push the cycle. I used tiny items to make stud earrings after which used the offcuts from that to make a brand new sheet prepared to make use of in future mosaics. Since I would like to make use of contemporary polymer clay to make use of up the offcuts, I hope folks will just like the studs!
The opposite place the place I’ve issues concerning the waste produced, is the sludge left behind after moist sanding beads. I’m not very eager on sanding so I don’t all the time do it, however some parts simply look higher when sanded. I’ve began accumulating the mud and dealing it into uncooked polymer clay as you may do with mica powders. As a result of I’m usually sanding beads with combined colors this may end up in some impartial shades. I made a decision to make a few of my favorite patchwork beads utilizing these shades of impartial*. I even ended up mixing them with some extra vibrant items as a result of I wasn’t very eager on the colorful combine on it’s personal. I don’t sand the beads once I use this system, so this technique closes the loop as an alternative of constructing extra.
With all these methods, I believe it’s necessary to make one thing interesting. In spite of everything if it doesn’t end in one thing that somebody will treasure it’s going to finish up in landfill.
* In fact if I didn’t like the color of the mud combine, I may additionally use it in the identical means as unbaked scrap clay with an ornamental veneer on prime.