Craft Test Dummies

I’ve been spending a lot of time lately with liquid polymer clay, this time playing with stained glass effects. In my previous tests of liquid clay, I checked to see which brand cured the clearest. Consequently I determined Kato Liquid Medium was really the best product for this set of samples.

I really lucked out two years ago, and ran across a sale on the suncatcher forms. They are glass, shaped like stars and circles, and already have a hole drilled in the top. They were on discount at Pat Catan’s, so I snapped them up. (My motto is buy now, figure out what to do with it later!)

I smeared a thin layer of liquid clay on the glass, and then used black Premo that I extruded for the “leading”. I baked this first step to make sure it would stay put without distorting. Then I mixed up my LQ and alcohol inks (I used Pinata, but you could use Ranger) and filled the areas using a toothpick. Remember, Kato liquid is runny- so you have to be careful. Really TLS would be easier to manage in this application, and I think I’ll use that in the future. So I filled up the little areas, and baked it again.

The treble-clef example I did on memory glass, and made a “frame” from another piece of extruded clay.

The “forever” hearts piece was done on white clay instead of glass, but constructed the same way. I added some micro beads for interest, and then framed out the piece with extruded clay. I added about 3 more layers of liquid clay to fill the entire frame, and made it look more like it was under glass. Fun!

(I’ll be teaching this technique at Stamplistic in May 2008. For more information, check out my “Craft Classes with Jenny” link.)

Well, I’m thrilled to say that we are going to be making these fab-oo bracelets at Grand River Beads in the merry merry month of May. The first class will be offered on May 1 (Thursday, 6 PM) and the on the last day, May 31 (Saturday, 1:00PM.)

I’m stoked to do this one because A) I love to make beads to match my outfits, and B) this is a simple way to learn how to use Artistic Wire. It come in a rainbow of colors, and it very high quality. Eva is going to teach the part using the coiling gizmo while our beads bake. I think folks will be amazed at how quickly this bracelet comes together. Fun, fun, fun!

If you are interested, just check out the GRB site… they now have it set up that you can register and pay online. How easy is that?

So, my friend Eva is showing my some new goodies she bought in Tucson - large focal components with glass enameling. As always, my snarky comment is “I bet we could do this in polymer clay.” Go figure.

I’ve been playing in the studio, trying to find the right combo of pigment, glazes, inks, paints, and liquid PC to get the effect I want. I’ll be doing another set of more “scientific” experiments comparing 3-4 liquid clays and how they perform. In the meantime, here’s just a sampling of some of my experiments.

This is phase two of comparing the three major brands of liquid polymer clays: Fimo Deco Gel, Kato Liquid Polyclay, and Translucent Liquid Sculpey (TLS).  Phase one consisted of checking out viscosity, odor, and results after one layer was applied and baked in the oven.

Since I’m interested in building up multiple layers for dimension, I thought I should test the 3 products and cure them by hand with a heat tool. For reference, I have one that has only one heat setting. (And I don’t even know exactly what that is!) To compare, I used small tiles I made by running the clay through the thickest setting of the pasta machine. I added mylar to the raw clay and stamped on it with pigment ink, and them cured them before adding liquid clay.

The first photo shows cured tiles with the liquid clay spread on. To recap, TLS is thick and opaque, Kato is thin and opaque, and FDG is thick and traslucent. The second photo show how they turned out after curing with the heat tool , about 5-10 minutes each. The last photo here is with a flash so you can see the “gloss factor.” Round one really didn’t show any discernible difference in the result.  (For discussion on viscosity and odor, read my post on Test #1.)

ROUND TWO!

After 2 layers, (here seen with and without flash) I noted that the TLS took longer and more effort to clarify. I had to really heat it intensely for a while to make it glossy. Kato and FDG both cured easily and were very clear.

ROUND THREE: Stamping with Archival Brilliance Ink

For this round, I stamped on the cured liquid clays with Archival Brilliance ink (it’s that pink-ish spiral) and then heat-set it just for a minute before spreading on the liquid clay and curing again. Again, no real discernible difference between how the ink looked on the clays. But it did start to make a very dimensional effect! The TLS one is starting to look cloudy, and I actually scorched it on the top left area trying to get it to clarify. The Kato and FDG are both doing well with multiple layers. (Photos shown with and without flash to show surface effect and “gloss factor.”)

ROUND FOUR - Micro bead inclusions

So this time I spread on my layer of liquid clay, and then sprinkled some glass micro beads into the liquids. I then cured with the heat tool as before. Because the TLS and FDG are thicker, the beads stuck on easily, and moved only a little during curing. However, the Kato is so thin that the beads actually started to slide off with the force of the heat tool. I had to quickly change my approach, and use a circular motion around the perimeter to set the outside edge of the clay, and then work in toward the middle. Again, the FGD and Kato cured easily and clear. The TLS is getting cloudier, though, and it’s harder to see the designs on the tile.

ROUND 5- Last layer

This is the last layer, just one final coat to seal in the micro beads. So here’s where the proof is in the pudding. The TLS has gone opaque, especially where there are beads. The Kato looks clear and shiny, and the FDG has also held up OK, but the clear winner for this technique is the Kato. I probably wouldn’t regularly use the micro beads because it’s so thin, but maybe a base coat of TLS to lock down the beads and then Kato on top of that to keep it clear. 

I  still don’t like the Kato odor, but I can put up with it for these results. I’ll still use FDG when I want to use one thicker coat, but use Kato for multiple thinner ones. And I’ll still use the TLS for bonding and holding down bigger inclusions, when I need that viscosity. 
I guess there are very salient reasons to have all three on your worktable. After all, one  glue won’t serve you for every application you might need, so why expect that from your liquid clay?

Recently I’ve heard alot about the three main polymer clays - Kato Liquid PolyClay, Translucent Liquid Sculpey (TLS), and Fimo Deko Gel. What are the pros and cons of each one? Well, in true Craft Test Dummies fashion, I decided to do a little comparison and check them out.

I did look and find one person who compared the three brands by making a structures and then filling them up with the liquid clays and then analyzing the results. Well, that’s not the application I would use them for anyway, so my not-so-scientific study was to use them the way I’m most interested in: as a high-gloss top coat that mimics glass. So for my first round of tests, that’s what I did. Here’s how the first round went.

I made a big batch o’ samples, using Premo Translucent clay with some flake inclusions. I added a layer of mylar foil, and then stamped on top of that. Just to make it interesting.

My first test set (Test Set #1) went into the oven to cure. I used a standard 275 degree oven, and put them all in for 15 minutes. I know this isn’t exactly to manufacturer’s specifications with the Kato clay, but I’m kind of testing it like most folks would use it… without adjusting their oven temp after curing their clay.

Also following conventional wisdom, I applied the liquid clays with my fingers. You probably could more precise or scientific with this part, but again, I’m practicing conventional wisdom. Why use a brush when a finger will do?

Here are a few pictures…

So after 15 minutes the TLS scorched pretty badly. The Kato version yellowed a little, but Deko Gel came out clear and glassy. Hmmm. I’m not sure why the TLS burned, because it was on it’s recommended temperature. Something I’ll have to watch.

Some notes about the three brands and general notes:

• Translucent Liquid Sculpey - Very thick, almost a ketchup-y consistency. It’s sticky quality makes it good for rounded surfaces, or for holding inclusions, such as micro beads. Will get nice and clear in thin layers, but needs to be hand-cured with an embossing gun (in my opinion) for best results. Of the three, it’s the most prone to burning/scorching. Good for 1 layer to add gloss, and works great as a clay “glue” holding pieces together. The odor is distinct, but not too bad.
• Kato Liquid PolyClay- Thinner consistency, almost more like heavy cream. In other words, kinda runny! I found that it slid right off of my cabochons. This did not make me happy. However, on flat surfaces I got up to eight layers that all remained clear. Really the bets for glass-like applications. But then there’s the smell. It’s like a brand-new red rubber ball plastic smell. Not pleasant at all! But I’m willing to put up with it when I get those great glass-like results!
• Fimo Deko Gel - Also very thick, maybe the hardest to use out of the bottle. It’s the same consistency as honey when it’s all but crystallized. But it goes on fairly clear, and cures clear. Since it’s so thick, I’ve used it as one thick layer to encase pieces, and it worked great. Probably the least stinky of the three, too. Works great on curved surfaces due to it’s high viscosity. A little rubbery when it’s thick (and it stays flexible) but that doesn’t bother me.

I have reasons to keep all three on my worktable, depending on what the application is. I’ll be posting again on my test set #2, which is hand-curing multiple layers. Stay tuned!

In the meanwhile, Glass Attic has some good info on the liquid clays, too. if you’re interested!

Yesterday I attended my first-ever Ohio Beaders Yahoo Group Gathering.

Wow. These wild women blew me away - with their talent, generosity, and big, big personalities!

I had the fortune of facilitating the make-and-takes, and I did a version of polymer clay nametags. This is what 6 fearless beaders come up with:

They belong to Cat, Evelyn, Jody, Shelley, Laura, and Diane respectively.

We also had a swap, and I got a fabulous green and copper wire bracelet from Tanya. Thank you, thank you! It’s fabulous!

And here are some pics of me taken my Eva and Signe….the first I call “Jenny as Vanna!” and the the other is in full-on teaching mode. Note how the hair HAS to go up in a bun! (Some sorta rule…..)

I taught a class at Stamplistic today - of ONE! I had only expected two, but then….well, life happens. So it was just Sue and I and a bunch o’ clay.  We made happy pieces (sorry, I forgot my camera!) but I did take a snap of the class sample I made last week.  It’s going to be for little surprises for my son, when he has a good behavior day at school. The other one borrowed from MaryAnn’s design from the pendant class a few months ago.

So, I’d mentioned to Sue there are quite a few places I go for polymer clay inspiration, tips, and info. I thought I’d share those here.  There is so much info out there, but it’s good to have a few places bookmarked.

•  Polymer Clay Central  There are blogs, tutorials, facts and tip, and lots of photos for inspiration. You could spend oodles of time here!
• Crafty Goat’s Notes She does some tutorials, reviews, and news of the PC world. Excellent info!
• Desired Creations  Desiree is an amazing artist, and I really hope I get to study with her one day. Her site is very comprehensive. Her gallery is awe-inspiring, and she’s got a vast array of tutorials from caning to sculpting to basic stuff like Skinner blends. Bookmark it, you’ll go back often!
• Polymer Clay Polyzine is another site with loads archived information and tutorials.
• Donna Kato has a blog with a killer gallery. She has a small tutorial section, too… and a blog of her clay travels, and a new political one, too. Who knew?
• Glass Attic bills itself as a “polymer clay encyclopdia.”  So if you haven’t found it anywhere else by now, try here!
• Clay-Polymer Yahoo Group is also a compendium of info. And the members regularly share news, tips, and show and tell. A very supportive bunch! Newbies are welcome!

So those are some of my go-to’s .  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

I got notified last night that I am the first place winner of Poly Clay Play’s Monthly Challenge for March. The theme was to make a  green (naturally) pin, and I entered my shamrock pin. Hooray for me!

I have won a book, and I selected Recycling with Polymer Clay. Sounds right up my alley, doesn’t it? Well, I’m anxious to see what kind of projects and ideas I can pick up.

I must have done OK with this design, because I also sold one of these on Etsy. (Which, if you need one for next year, I have one left at my Etsy Shop!)

Ok, enough self-congratulations. Back to claying!

Ever since I was introduced to polymer clay, it’s been labeled as “non-toxic” and that’s been a major selling point for me. You can cure it in your home oven with no ill effects, your kids can use it, it’s appropriate for institutional use, it’s safe.

But is it?

Recently on one of my PC groups, one of the members - Jai - noticed that she was experiencing symptoms that included dizziness, skin irritation, and feelings of confusion or lethargy. You can read about it on her blog. Come to find out, polymer clay is really a form of Poly Vinyl Chloride, or PVC, and contains phthalates, which are present in many house hold items. But they are not considered risk-free.

The major concern with phthalates as been inhaling vapors, like during curing. However, there is some concern that you can also absorb phthalates through the skin. Yikes! Is my love affair with polymer clay over???

Well, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that not everyone is highly sensitive to phthalates, and few folks experience symptoms of toxicity like Jai. (She, by her own admission, has also had previous sensitivities.) And, lo and behold, many clay companies are voluntarily re-formulating their clays to remove phthalates entirely, and find new ways to soften their clays. (Kato clay has been reformulating, and the new version is due out soon.)

Bottom line: be mindful. Pay attention to what your body is telling you when you work with polymer clay. Read the label, and follow best practices to minimize your exposure to fumes.

For another look at the topic, read this down-to earth treatise on the subject Polymer Clay Central.

No fear, my friends, and happy claying!

As I’ve mentioned before, I am a magazine junkie. Especially bead and papercrafts magazines. Well, right now I have a subscription to Bead Style Magazine, and usually I just leaf through it. This month, though, I saw the “Razzle Dazzle Bracelet” designed by Caroline Conley, and I knew I had to test it out!

I love to make my polymer clay beads, and I’ve been working in sets. I’ve wanted to use them in bracelets, but wanted to make a more cuff/bangle style instead of just stringing them. I hadn’t found a design I really loved. Until I saw this one!

I got out my Coiling Gizmo, my box of Swarovskis, and my polyclay beads and got to work. This was my first attempt:

I really liked the bead combination, and the way it fit together, but the coil seemed to be out of proportion. I then realized I needed a smaller coiling mandrel - duh! And after a quick consult with Eva at Grand River Beads, I needed some smaller wire for the outside coil as well.

So I got it all straighted out, and got on a roll. No pun intended! I love the way they are turning out, and I’m all jazzed up to do this as a class for GRB. If you are liking the design, I encourage you to pick up the May 2008 issue of BeadStyle and try it out for yourself. The instructions were clear, easy to follow, and easy enough for an experienced beginner. You need a Coiling Gizmo and need to know how to make it work, as well as crimping and wire wrapping.

(The original design was for lampworked beads as the focals, but the polymer works just as nicely. And if you don’t make polymer clay beads, you can pick some up at my Etsy Shop for a song!)