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 searching 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 not be instantly in touch with the items because of the excessive temperatures. Earth clays would dry out and be wasted as a consequence of my erratic availability of time (to not point out requiring a furnace to treatment). Even wool felt might be thought-about to have a adverse ecological affect 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 deal with utilizing it with out creating waste till there’s a extra sustainable choice. Unbaked clay isn’t 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 lead to 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 leads to 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 individuals will just like the studs!
The opposite place the place I’ve considerations in regards to 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 elements simply look higher when sanded. I’ve began gathering the mud and dealing it into uncooked polymer clay as you would possibly do with mica powders. As a result of I’m usually sanding beads with blended colors this can lead to 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 a substitute of creating extra.
With all these methods, I believe it’s essential to make one thing interesting. In spite of everything if it doesn’t lead to 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.