DIY Network

Tips and Techniques on Using Clay Enhance your croppin' pages by utilizing clay. From "Scrapbooking" episode SCB-521

In this first segment guest Judy Ross joins host Sandi Genovese to show you how to create great clay projects that will take your scrapbooking pages to the next level.

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	Judy and Sandi provide tips and techniques for incorporating clay into your scrapbook pages.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	PDF Download the first color charts sheet.
	PDF Download the second color charts sheet.

Project by Judy Ross

Tips and Techniques on Using Clay

• Clay is air-dried, acid-free, non-toxic, lightweight, high definition and pure pigmented clay. You need to store it in an air-tight container (figure A).

• Don't work the clay too much with your hands because the heat from your hands will act as a drying agent.

• You can alter the clay when it is wet with acrylic paints, or you can let it air-dry and paint it afterwards. If you are using a dry agent like chalk on the clay, you need to let the clay air-dry first.

• Make sure you have a clean work surface and clean hands. You need to wipe off the surface and tools when changing colors of clay.

• The three primary colors of clay are red, blue and yellow and mixed with white. You can customize these three colors to make any color of clay.

• Use proper tools that are designated for clay use only. A basic clay tool kit should include a clay roller kit, clay scissors, color scale, and shaping tools.

• The color scale (figure B) has several scoops in it that has different sizes. The scale comes with a recipe so that you can customize and make any color you want.

• Place the appropriate amount and color of clay in the scale (figure C) and then take the pieces of clay out and knead them together with your hands to get the desired color.

• Select the proper thickness of clay for your project. Paper arts projects should have the 1/16" or 1/8" rails in the roller kit, jewelry should be 3/8" to 1/4", and flowers should be 1/16" or thinner.

• Lubricate hands with lotion before making flowers on the palm.

• When impressing images into clay, use a release agent on object. Release agents can be clear embossing ink, pigment ink, watermark ink pad, olive oil or Armor All.

• Allow proper air drying time. Manufacturer's instructions recommend 24 hours. Your project may be dry before then. It will be dry when it feels like soft leather. Turn the project over several times when drying. Do not apply heat to speed up drying.

• Water based paints may be applied as a topical application to clay prior to clay drying.

• Paint clay, remembering that recessed areas should be the darkest, high spots the lightest.

• Dry agents like chalks should be applied to dry clay.

• You can marbleize the clay to make embellishments for your scrapbook pages (figure D) like butterflies, etc.

• Play with the clay. It's about having fun.

Tip from Sandi: If you are going to be working with polymer clay that you bake, you want to start by conditioning the clay. The chemicals separate in the packaging and they need to be remixed. You can use a pasta machine or just knead it with your hands. The thin sheets of baked clay can be used just like paper- they are very flexible. Prior to baking the clay you can color it with paint, ink or powder. If you want to color it after baking the clay, you need to be sure and use oil-based paints or permanent inks just like you would use on plastics.

GUESTS :

Judy Ross
The Mountain Idea
Sun City West, AZ
Phone: 623-584-8698
Fax: 623-584-0414
Website: www.themountainidea.com