Cottage Fever's polymer clay tips & techniques

Polymer clay tips and techniques ~ compliments of Cottage Fever

A great way to help in the use of a clay gun, is to place the clay gun that has been loaded with your clay, into a clay warmer. This seems to prevent the warmed and conditioned clay from cooling when it comes into contact with the cold clay gun. Don't have a clay warmer? Make your own by wrapping a hot/cold pack from the pharmacy that can be put in the microwave in a towel. Or use a heating pad set on warm. Allow the clay gun to warm for approximately 5 minutes. Any longer and you can start to bake your clay.
Place your clay gun pusher on a rubber mat on your table and press down on the handles. Your weight helps push the clay out.
Another clay gun tip. Place a washer in your clay gun between the disc and the tube to protect the disc.
Never work directly on a wooden surface, such as a kitchen table; polymer clays will damage the finish.
Keep hands and surfaces clean. Wash your hands between colors, because some pigments may stay on your hands and transfer to the next color you pick up. Be especially careful when wroking with white or light colors.
Don't leave polymer clay in a hot place, such as in your car in the summer. It will start to cure.
Look around your house for items that can be used to impress texture into polymer clay. My favorite is a Scotch-Brite.
Remember to sign your creations if possible.br
Do not store baked polymer clay in plastic bags. A plactic bag will make the polymer clay brittle and may eak.
After much testing, I have found that the secret to successful photo transfers is the paper used. Papers tested and the results link. The technique used was coating the image with liquid polymer clay. Photo transfer technique.

Published Designs

Carol Duvall Show
	Stitchery Box As shown on the Carol Duvall Show. Link to instructions	*Carol's Place* As shown on the Carol Duvall Show Link to Instructions
	Porcelin Vase As shown on the Carol Duvall Show. Link to instructions
Arts & Crafts
	Stitchery Coasters October 2000 Arts & Crafts	Clay Ribbon Pin February 2002 Arts & Crafts
	Pen Set June 2002 Arts & Crafts	Metallic pins October 2002 Arts & Crafts
	Mosaic Cat Scratching Post February 2003 Arts & Crafts	Calla Lily Vase April 2003 Arts & Crafts
	Snowflake Pen Christmas Crafts Preview 2003 Arts & Crafts	Faux Stained Glass Lamp Christmas Crafts Preview 2003 Arts & Crafts
	Clay Roses Wedding Elegance 2004 Arts & Crafts	Name Plaque Wedding Elegance 2004 Arts & Crafts
	Grape wine charm and napkin set Wedding Elegance 2004 Arts & Crafts	Halloween Window Cling Halloween 2004 Arts & Crafts
	Noodle Necklace Beaded Embellishment 2004 Arts & Crafts	Creeping Ivy Personal Pizzazz 2004 Arts & Crafts
	Polymer Fun Christmas Craft Preview 2004 Arts & Crafts
Expression Magazine
	Jade Lamp May 2002 Expression Art Magazine	Toned Vases May 2003 Expression Art Magazine
	Polymer 'Porcelain' Necklaces March 2004 Expression Art Magazine
Craftworks / Create & Decorate
	Mosaic Grapevine Tray October 2002 Craftworks	Leaf Box November 2002 Craftworks
	Rusty Metal Ornaments December 2002 Craftworks	Chatoyant Effect Leaf Votives May 2003 Craftworks
	The Gingerbreads Crafting Christmas Ornaments 2004 Craftworks	Oak Leaves & Acorns December 2003 Create & Decorate
	Clay Creations Ornaments ~ Winter 2004 Create & Decorate	Rusty Clay Pendant February 2004 Create & Decorate
Bead Unique
	Faux Puca Shell BeadUnique #2 ~ Fall 2004 BeadUnique
Crafts
	Swirled Clay Desk Accessories February 2002 Crafts	Celtic Barrette March 2002 Crafts
	Clay Flower Pots Garden 2002 Crafts	Mokume Gane Pendant Jewelry 2003 Crafts
	Painted Shell Pendant Creative Jewelry 2004 Crafts	Punch Beads Choker Creative Jewelry 2004 Crafts
Crafts 'n Things
	Dancing Snowmen Christmas Friends 2001 Crafts 'n Things	Christmas Tree January 2002 Crafts 'n Things
	Dogwood Heart Necklace February 2001 Crafts 'n Things	Snowflake Necklace November 2002 Crafts 'n Things
	Ducky Night Light February 2003 Crafts 'n Things	Iris Vase May 2003 Crafts 'n Things
	Glowing Celebration Flowers Votive Spring 2003 Crafts 'n Things	Guest Book Pen 101 Bridal Ideas Crafts 'n Things
	Clay Bookmarks Favorite Gifts for Christmas 2003 Crafts 'n Things
PolymerCafe Magazine
	Snowflake Ormaments Winter 2002 PolymerCafe	Chatoyant Heart Box Spring 2003 PolymerCafe
	Inkjet Photo Transfers Summer 2003 PolymerCafe	Art Deco Vases Summer 2004 PolymerCafe

Polymer clay tips and techniques ~ compliments of Cottage Fever

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