Mr Snow Man

I made this last Thursday when I had to stay home due to flu.

I had a hard time getting up from bed but couldn't resist the urge to clay, so I made a little something quick. 

I was thinking of something Valentine related project instead I ended up with a Christmas-sy one. I tried mixing several clay colors to see how it'll turn out. Didn't expect it'll turn out this cute though. I made this cute little one in less than 3 minutes...

My husband, who happens to also be my #1 fan when it comes to claying, loved it! 

I'm definitely going to make lots of 'em! 

Clays used: NENDO Polyclay

What to do with SOFT & STICKY Clays?

After several researches, I found out that there are different ways of leaching soft polymer clays. 

1. You can cool it off by putting it in the freezer; I find this better than the refrigerator because it doesn't develop condensation while in the freezer. 

 2. You may combine it with stiffer clays. Cut the soft clays and flatten it out with the pasta machine, do the same with the stiffer clay. When you have both clays, you may then combine the 2 clays together and mix it with the use of the pasta machine. 

3. If your hands are heating up the clays and making it softer, you can work on a marble surface, which will keep the clay cooler. Or you can periodically dip your hands in cold water to keep them cool. 

4. Work in a cooler area: air-conditioned or a well ventilated room. 

5. Leaching is another option. One reason that the clay is soft is because it may have too much plasticizer, or the clay hasn't settled after manufacturing. Leaching clay will pull out excess plasticizer. 

How to perform leaching?

First you have to flatten the clay out with the use of a roller or a pasta machine, perhaps about half an inch or more. Then take 2 pieces of card stock, the heavy kind of paper you can find in any craft or book store. You may use an ordinary type of paper however card stocks absorbs more plasticizer. 

Then place the clay in between the 2 sheets of paper and press it with a roller. Let it sit for several hours. As it sits, you'll be able to see dark spot on the paper where some of the plasticizer has begun to leach out of the clay onto the paper. 

♥ ♥ ♥

Polymer Clay 101

What is Polymer Clay?

Polymer clay is an oven baked modelling compound. A form of Poly Vinyl Chloride, it remains workable until cured by baking at the specific temperature and time frame recommended for that specific brand of clay. Various brands of clays have different handling and finish properties. I often choose the brand of clay I use by the type of work I want to achieve with the clay. For example, I use stiffer clays for forming repeated patterns which are cut as slices from canes or for my roses. On the other hand, I use softer clays for modelling and blending sculptures. I find softer clays perfect for chibi  or mini-ME projects.

Handling:
However certified as non-toxic, polymer clay is not edible and should not be worked near food or with eating utensils. Use clay specific tools when working with it.

Always clean your hands well after working.

Sanding polymer clays or using metallic powders, should be done with proper dusk masks and with proper ventilation.

Curing:
This type of clay must be baked to set. In the baking process they can give off fumes. Always bake the clays with adequate ventilation and follow the temperature guidelines for your particular brand of clay. Do not burn or overbake the clay. If this happens, immediately ventilate the area. These clays are not safe for microwave.

Storage: 
Polymer clay should be stored in a cool, dry place. The plasticizer in the clay will leach out with time, so use fresh clay if possible. Various additives are available to help recondition older crumbling clays which has less plasticizer. Avoid storing uncured clay in hard containers or plastic wrap.

Store uncured clay in metal or glass containers which are dedicated for clay use and will not be used for food. Once anything has come in contact with the clay, it should NOT be used for food.

Removing excess Plasticizer:
If your clay is too soft when you open the package, you can leach out excess plasticizer by rolling the clay into thin sheets and storing it for several days pressed between sheets of white printing paper. Dispose of the paper safely after the clay has been leached this way.

Curing:
When curing or baking polymer clay use an oven thermometer - don't trust your oven to be accurate. Most ovens are off between 20-25 degrees.

The thicker the items, the longer it must be baked. Small beads may only take 10-20 minutes.

February Projects

In spite the busy schedule at work, the wake we had to attend to, the online orders I had to process and the mommy duties I have at home, I am thankful that once in a while I still get the chance to sit at my little craft-y corner.

So what have I come up so far? Here let me show them to you...

Nendo charts. At last, I was able to find a cardboard store for my charts! The very reason it took me some time to get this thing started.

Doing this wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I am glad I have my husband, Daisy and Rafael to help me out.

Nendo fresh from the oven

Tada! Finished charts!

Now I can't wait to send them to my distributors together with their follow up orders Ü

And some Valentine inspired projects... 

• Pink mini-me - I made this for Cheska. This comes with a name plate designed with sparklers. The hat is by the way inspired by Thina of claythinz. She is one of the great chibi makers I know. Ü
• Bears - looks familiar? But of course! You get to see these bears every time you visit the malls... They are Humor Post inspired bears. 1st attempt on creating bears and so far I am enjoying making them! 

TJC Update: Since I really want to improve on making mini-MEs, I will be having my 1st ever clay sculpting / doll making / cake topper workshop with Jen Cruz of Purpleluggage on Sat, Feb 26. After that another workshop this time with Grays of Poxee Shop, concentrating on chibi and enhancements. I hope, although I am quite positive on this, that the following workshops will help me create better looking mini-MEs, which, in turn, will help me and boost up my confidence so that I don't shy-away or feel nervous every time I give my FOs as gifts to friends and loved ones. 

But after the 2 mentioned workshops, I will probably hold off from taking another workshop, at least for the next 2-3 months... wallet drained. I need to disappear and go on SAVE mode again. hahaha... 

The Beadlady: Clay Fest 2011

I got this in my inbox today... Angeli, The Beadlady, herself sent me this!Ü

You're probably wondering what's making me so giddy.. well other than the event itself which I am about to tell you in a while, I also feel excited every time I get to hear from one of the artsy-craftsy guru I admire so much! Now what can be more exciting that that? 

Oh! here's one... The Annual Philippine CLAY FEST 2011 that's happening this month!

The Annual Philippine Clay Fest is mainly organized by Ms Angeli Sobrepena. This event started last year with the goal of  bringing clay crafters across the country together and to showcase talents of 14 clay crafters. Now thank God because they're doing it again!

This is actually my first time to join the event, nevertheless, I am so excited about the following things:

• Workshop - I will be attending the clay sculpting / mini-doll / cake topper class to be conducted by Jenn Cruz of Purpleluggage. Check out her site HERE to see all her great creations. 
• Free Demos - I feel 50/50 on this. 50% happy because who wouldn't be happier to see FREE demonstration on creating cute creations made of polyclay but 50% nervous at the same time. I dread this part because I am one of the people who will have to conduct free demonstration for Nendo polyclay. And if you know me personally, you'll know just how unprepared I am when it comes to showing how to do things in front of a group of people I barely know. Thank God for friends like Angel of Angel Clay Shop because she'll be with me on this! 
• Exhibits - feast on all the wonderful creations of the event exhibitors...
• Games - now I am a little clueless of what games were prepared but I'm sure that this will be one of the highlights of the event.
• Fellowship - what can be more exciting than meeting and getting inspirations from hobbyists who enjoys doing the same craft as you (I) do - personally?
• Shopping - every girl's favorite... EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT on all the yummy and vintage inspired one-of-a-kind clay accessories and tools you'll be able to see in the event... just make sure to ready those pockets!☺

So all you - boys and girls, whether you're a newbie or already an expert in this craft, clay crafter or not, a clay sculptor or just in search for one of a kind accessories, what are you waiting for? Go mark those calendars... Block the dates - February 25-26, 2011 from 0400pm 'til 12mn, meet us at The Beadlady Craft Cafe and Art Studio, Cubao Expo Quezon City. 

See you there! ♥  

Working with Tin Can + Nendo Clay (Round 2)

Remember last Thursday, January 27th, when I decided to work using only Nendo clay and attempted to decorate a tin can? If not, click HERE to see the post...

Since I wasn't able to finish the project due to lack of creativity that day, decided to put the project down and rest, I went back to it during the weekend and started really thinking how to end the said FO.

And because of my love for sun flowers, I immediately removed the clays I placed earlier on and decided to re-do everything...

working

ah.. I just love sun flowers!

Only this time with Rocky (my clay mentor) and Christi Friesen in mind...

details

Tada!!!

So there goes my 1st attempt on tin cans & working with NENDO polymer clay -- sticky than usual, yes, but definitely beautiful... I love it!!!