Ron Swanson Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 DD is keen to get into miniature polymer clay crafting, Does anyone do this for a hobby, and what tools do you recommend? It's her birthday coming up soon, so I might make her up a kit with supplies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary McGregor Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 I used to do this as a kid in the 1980s! I used Fimo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbulent Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 I loved FimoMy boys love to make mini clay models.They just use a couple of sculpting knives and tend to raid my kitchen for bits and pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbulent Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 Tooth picks get used a lot for support Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Bicycle Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 Watch Aussie Youtuber Creative Rachy, she has some starting off videos.Sculpy is the main clay used nowadays, available at Spotlight plus online supplers like Polymerclay.com.au.Basic tools are dotting tools, a straight razor blade for cutting, a small rolling pin, silcone tipped shaping tools, toothpicks or skewers. You can buy the Sculpy tool sets but they are a bit expensive. I brought most of mine off Aliexpress for much cheaper. You also need aluminium foil and a tray for baking on, But don't buy clay off Aliexpress, it's not great quality. Sculpy also do a product called Bake and Bond. It's a liquid clay you use like a glue. You can also colour it with chalk pastel shavings to make a chocolate like sauce for food charms. So a box of chalk pastels are also worthwhile.Umm yes, I have fallen into the polymer clay craft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenflea Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 I bought DD some plastic clay making tools from the local $2 type shop. She uses those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Swanson Posted March 13, 2021 Author Share Posted March 13, 2021 Thanks for the replies everyone!I am trying to support local businesses, so will hit Spotlight, and the cheap stores. I need to find her a nice storage box to hold all her supplies, but it needs hinges that don't break.What is the polymer clay from Riot Art and Craft like? Is this any good, and good value?https://riotstores.com.au/products/clay-studio-polymer-clay-57g-white Watch Aussie Youtuber Creative Rachy, she has some starting off videos.Sculpy is the main clay used nowadays, available at Spotlight plus online supplers like Polymerclay.com.au. I will watch those videos, thanks. There are so many great ones out there! Basic tools are dotting tools, a straight razor blade for cutting, a small rolling pin, silcone tipped shaping tools, toothpicks or skewers. Thanks. Sculpy also do a product called Bake and Bond. It's a liquid clay you use like a glue. You can also colour it with chalk pastel shavings to make a chocolate like sauce for food charms. So a box of chalk pastels are also worthwhile. DD was telling me yesterday about the liquid clay and chalk shavings!! Can you recommend a brand?Now I am thinking this is something I might also take up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Bicycle Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 It's Sculpy Bake and Bond and chalk pastels, well they don't have to be high quality, so Monte Martre brand that you find in $ 2 stores and the like would be fine.I know Riot ( pre having business difficulties) stocked Sculpy clay but stopped. I guess it doesn't hurt to order a few blocks ( white, black, red, yellow and blue for instance), and give it a go. Just I know all the experienced people like Sculpy or Fimo ( which used to be sold by Officeworks, not sure now) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenflea Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 Off topic but I refuse to buy from Riot after the shocking way they treated their staff last year. Telling them (when stock was ridiculously low) that Covid had affected supply but still expecting them to make the same sales targets, then closing the stores with no warning, staff were emailed the day before the stores were closed. And you might find drawers better for storing than a box that might be harder to keep organised. I have a 3 drawer unit from Kmart that's about A4 that might work, or similar from officeworks might do too. Can organise tools in one drawer, clay by colour in another etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Swanson Posted March 13, 2021 Author Share Posted March 13, 2021 Thanks [mention]Kiwi Bicycle[/mention]. Might stick to the one brand then, so now heading towards sculpey.[mention]Jenflea[/mention], that's awful about having to still meet sales targets.I spent around $300 in my local store during the first lockdown, to support local business, plus another DD needed supplies as she was doing a Year 11 VCE Arts subject. There was very little supplies in store, and my items were 50% off, but the staff were fantastic in giving me suggestions. I was going to go in another time and spend up, but decided I'd go the next weekend. They closed down a few days later. I am thinking of getting DD1 this set.https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/sculpey-iii-modelling-clay-30-pack-rds3301 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Bicycle Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Just in case my naming of tools was confusing, the coloured double ended tools are dotting tools ( they have different sized ball ends) and also known as ball styluses. The brown handled tools with the blue silicone ends are shapers and are great for spreading glue as well unlike a paintbrush in which glue ruins the bristles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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