| Polymer Clay Pens |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-222 |
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Materials: Fimo polymer clay (colors of your choice)
Pens (use Paper Mate Flexgrip, Pen Pilot BetterGrip or Bic Round Stic)
Nublade (a special razor blade used to cut clay)
Optional: pasta machine Conditioning the clay Polymer clay is very hard when fresh out of the package, so it needs to be softened prior to use. To do this, try keeping each color separate, and begin conditioning Fimo by squeezing it on all sides. The clay is very responsive to pressure and will take on an elastic feel. Roll it into a ball, then a snake. Fold it back on itself and roll a snake again. Repeat a few times, then roll a cylinder. Cut 1/8"-thick slices from the cylinder and roll through the pasta machine on a thin setting. Roll each slice and integrate into the whole. Continue until all the slices are integrated and the sheet feels elastic. The Skinner Blend After conditioning the clay, perform the "Skinner Blend" technique to quickly and easily create sheets of graded color. It works for two or more colors; here's how: - Roll two colors into sheets of the same thickness.
- Stack one color atop the other and cut a right-angle triangle.
- Separate the two sheets and join them along the diagonal edge, offsetting the colors slightly so that the corners don't exactly meet (figure A).
- Fold the two-color sheet in half and roll through the pasta machine. Use the thickest setting on the pasta machine.
- Fold and roll through again. It is important to remember to fold the same way each time -- that is, not to turn the sheet 45 degrees and fold and roll.
- Repeat until the sheet is graded and there are no streaks (figure B).
- Skinner Blend a sheet using a half -package of one color and of gold clay.
- Once the sheet is made, trim the sides to make a neat rectangle or square. Remove the ink cartridge from the pen.
- Place the pen along one side of the sheet, press the clay to the pen barrel and roll to cover. Roll until the leading edge touches the sheet, and then roll back (figure C), exposing the mark from the leading edge.
- Cut along the mark, then reroll the clay around the pen. Smooth the seam with your fingers.
- Trim the clay at the closed end, leaving 1/16" extending beyond the end. Push the clay over the end of the pen, completely sealing the pen in the clay.
- Trim the clay from the open end of the pen and replace the metal tip in the barrel (figure D). The pen is now ready for further decoration or may be baked as is.
- Bake at 265 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely and then replace ink cartridge in pen.
Other embellishments - To make dots, simply make a Skinner Blend sheet with two colors. Trim the sides to make a square or rectangle.
- Roll the sheet through the number 4 or 5 setting (1/16" thick) of the pasta machine to thin the sheet. Make sure the clay is fed into the pasta machine so that the gradation is lengthened, not made wider.
- From one edge, roll tightly to make a cylinder (figure E).
- Depending on the finished size, you may wish to reduce the diameter of this cane in the following manner: With your fingers, squeeze and rotate the cane. As you squeeze, the diameter will be reduced and it will become longer.
- When you have arrived at the desired size, place the cane on your work surface and roll lightly to smooth. Cut and place slices on the pen.
- Bake at 265 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely and then replace ink cartridge in pen.
Products: All products can be found at craft or art-supply stores. The pasta machine can be found at most retail home-supply stores nationwide.
RESOURCES :
Polymer clay
Model: S-III-2
Sculpey III
Polyform Products Inc.
Website: www.sculpey.com
The Art of Polymer Clay
Model: 0823002780
Author: Donna Kato
Watson-Guptill Publications
Website: www.watsonguptill.com
Premo Sculpey Polymer Clay, Texture Sheets, Translucent Liquid Sculpey, Oven Thermometer, Sculpey Clay Blades (Sampler Pack)
Polyform Products Company
Website: www.sculpey.com
Polyform Products Inc.
Website: www.sculpey.com
Polymer Clay, Art Translucent and Fimo (AMACO)
American Art Clay Co. Inc. (AMACO)
Indianapolis, IN 46222
Phone: 317-244-6871
Fax: 317-248-9300
Email: catalog@amaco.com
Website: www.amaco.com
Fimo clay (AMACO)
American Art Clay Co. Inc. (AMACO)
Indianapolis, IN 46222
Phone: 317-244-6871
Fax: 317-248-9300
Email: catalog@amaco.com
Website: www.amaco.com
Sculpting in Clay
Model: 0764301136
Author: Dale Power
The Polymer Clay Techniques Book
Model: 1581800088
Author: Sue Heaser
(October, 1999)
F & W Publications Inc. (North Light and Betterway Books, Story Press, Popular Woodworking Books)
Website: www.fwpublications.com
Polymer Clay for the First Time
Model: 0806968273
Author: Syndee Holt
(March, 2000)
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Creative Ways With Polymer Clay
Model: 0806917458
Author: Dotty McMillan
(October, 2001)
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Polymer Clay: Creating Functional and Decorative Objects
Model: 0873419529
Author: Jacqueline Gikow
(October, 2001)
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
Foundations in Polymer Clay Design
Model: 087341800X
Author: Barbara E. McGuire
(September, 1999)
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
GUESTS :
Donna Kato
Artist and owner of Prairie Craft Company
Florissant, CO
Website: www.prairiecraft.com
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