It was when I started planning another jewellery craft that I got
into working with polymer clay. I am nowhere near mastering to form botanical
forms such as leaves, blossoms, and flowers, making my flower
hoop earrings. For the time being, I will find other solutions to creating them; stay tuned for this craft. Nonetheless, having a big white block of Fimo, I
started playing around creating different shapes and forms.
Working with polymer clay takes some patience. It is by no means
sufficient to just roll it and cut it. The conditioning process is something
you must take seriously if you don’t want your creations to crumble. But when it’s done, the material is soft and mouldable.
You will be able to experience how versatile this material can be.
Granted, what I created today is simplistic and does not even begin
to display what you can do with polymer clay. But, it is a cute start to learn to handle the material and just get a start.
So here is what I made with polymer clay so far:
Earrings and Studs
The first time I played around with polymer clay, I used different
colours and cookie cutters to cut forms. It was interesting to see how
different coloured clays mix. I am most proud of the studs. They have this
pretty marbled effect that came from just a few mixing motions. I folded and stretched
the polymer clay bit only about two or three times and then cut a round shape which
I baked and glued on some stud poles. People who saw me wearing them generally
commented on how pretty the pattern looks.
Using the Extruder
Making polymer clay bows
Working with the extruder and forming shapes with perfectly shape
strings of polymer clay was good fun. Making bows took me a couple of attempts.
These are the best attempts, and they are not quite perfect yet.
Making Pretzels with polymer clay
Making pretzel shapes has been rather tricky. After all, you can’t really
fling around the polymer clay like contestants in the Great British Bake Off do
with the dough. In the end, I just twirled the 2 strands of the string about in
the middle of the line. Then I fold the loose ends over towards the bow that
was under the twirl.
Braided Polymer Clay String.
I saw braided Polymer clay hoops on Instagram. Frankly, I needed
to try it myself. It proved to be trickier than I initially thought. Braiding
polymer clay strings is nothing like braiding. I could have known that, but
well, sometimes you must learn it the hard way. So, the first couple of times while braiding, the string got so thin that it broke. Eventually, I made
it happen. It took cautious and slow
movement. But it worked!
What would you make with polymer clay if you had the chance? What
are your recent (polymer clay) creations?
I am looking forward to reading your comments.
If you created a button necklace yourself, do not
forget your creation on Instagram with the hashtag #craftjournaler
Feel free to roam about and find more ideas on this
blog. How about some more earrings?
Until I see you next time remember: Keep colourful
and craft more :-)
