Perhaps every person in his childhood picked up plasticine. It is understandable: modeling exercises remarkably develop fine motor skills. But why not already in adulthood return to such a fascinating occupation? Especially if the material for modeling can now harden! Polymer clay is indispensable for beginners who are just getting to know these amazing materials.
About the material and its properties
The main ability of polymer clay (plastics) is the ability to harden at certain temperatures. That is, a stuck together product can be easily turned from soft to hard, for this you just need to bake it in the oven. Polymer clay for beginners often seems like a mystery. The fact is that it consists of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the so-called plasticizers. When exposed to high temperatures, plasticizers disappear, soaking in PVC.
It is thanks to this property that she is so loved by many needlewomen. From it you can create various jewelry: earrings, bracelets, pendants, or make small souvenirs. It is even used for making dolls and nail designs.
Safety precautions
It is important to observe certain precautions when working with various chemical compounds, which include polymer clay. For beginners it will be useful to learn some safety rules:
- Remember to wash your hands after sculpting.
- Have separate tools for your hobby that will never be used as kitchen tools.
- Never bake polymer clay in the microwave.
- If the products are overheated, then you need to quickly open the windows and doors wide open, and then leave the room and wait for the harmful fumes to leave the apartment.
- If you sculpt products with children, then make sure that clay does not get into their mouth.
Be sure to pay attention to the recommendations that are indicated on the plastic packaging! It says baking temperature. The fact is that for different types of polymer clay it can be different.
Instruments
So, when working with plastic, you will need the following tools: a knife, gloves, a needle or a needle to puncture holes. We also recommend that you get sandpaper - it will help make the product perfectly smooth. If you are planning a difficult creative move, then here you can not do without templates of details. Do not forget about the decor: sparkles, beads, rhinestones. This minimum will already allow you to create unique jewelry made of polymer clay. For beginners, the above will be enough. A little later, you can purchase a special set of tools.
From polymer clay for beginners, for example, you can make small beads that can turn into earrings or become part of another piece of jewelry. In general, there are many techniques for mixing different types of clay with each other. Using them, you can create a wooden or glass structure, even come closer to imitating gold and precious stones. For example, to make jewelry look like marble, you need to mix several colors with each other, but not completely. You just need to twist together several different strips together - and the multilayer drawing is ready.
Polymer clay for beginners is a great opportunity for self-expression. And with some experience and zeal for things made from this material, there simply will not be a price.