BEGINNER
Whether or not you’re a full novice or a seasoned clayer, there may be all the time one thing new to study; so in some respects, we’re all newbies, so take coronary heart and get caught in to your new problem.
Listed below are some ideas that can assist you in your method…
JUST PLAY!
Experiment, practise strategies, make your self a color reference chart or clean bases and elements – 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, observe 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 strategies. 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, strategies and showcase our makes. Over the subsequent few months, we will likely be including new tasks to the web site. We even have a month-to-month members’ raffle to win all kinds of goodies, from books and instruments, to clay and tutorials.
If you find yourself feeling extra assured in your expertise, we suggest going alongside to workshops, the place you’ll study extra than simply the venture or method being promoted, but additionally methods and ideas for working efficiently with polymer clay. Within the UK, Cara Jane Hayman runs Polymania each March. In 2019, we’re wanting 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 must be costly. There are many instruments chances are you’ll have already got round your house that can be utilized with polymer clay. While we all know that the standard manufacturers of clay are non-toxic, it’s all the time 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 could possibly be doubtful and untested, and the standard might be inconsistent. Stick with manufacturers you’ve heard of and ask round if buddies 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 (coated!) or squeeze it in your arms 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 might cowl with extra clay or paint it. There are many issues you are able to do with ‘mud’ colored clay!! Clay might be blended collectively like paints to create new colors, so begin with some fundamental colors, plus numerous 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 helpful too for items that should be turned as they’re labored on, and the tiles may also be popped straight into the oven.
Reducing 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 very least a inflexible and versatile tissue blade to start out 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 finest. If the clay is sticky, put a chunk of greaseproof paper on high and roll it out that method.
Oven – clay might be ‘cured’ in an everyday oven however getting the temperature proper might be crucial and in our expertise most kitchen ovens lie! Digital thermometers are well worth the funding to keep away from baking disasters and are comparatively cheap. We’ll be overlaying extra about curing within the subsequent weblog put up.
Different instruments – Greaseproof paper is helpful to maintain clay handy and foil for creating armatures and overlaying 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 already know it!
Query: I’ve seen lots of people utilizing pasta machines – do I want one?
No. At the very least, not till you suppose you need to dedicate extra time to claying. Pasta machines are helpful as a result of they will take a number of the laborious work out of ‘conditioning’ the clay (kneading it to a usable state), but additionally for making sheets of clay at a good thickness and mixing color blends. However all these strategies are attainable 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’ve got them for future reference). We’ll cowl color mixing and mixing in a later weblog put up. In order for you a pasta machine, ask buddies and neighbours if they’ve one gathering mud or test flea markets, automobile boot gross sales and eBay for cheap choices.
For extra glorious high ideas and free recommendation, try the Blue Bottle Tree's web site by Ginger Davis Allman:
Have any questions? Do you’ve got any helpful ideas for newbies? Let’s share the love of polymer clay!
#britishpolymerclayguild #polymerclay #polymerclayforbeginners #polymerclaytutorials #polymerclayworkshops #polymania #polymerclayguild