Polymer Clay for Beginners: Inspiration, techniques, and simple step-by-step projects for making art with polymer clay (1) (Art Makers) - Softcover

Chen, Emily

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1633226328 ISBN 13: 9781633226326

Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing, 2019

Synopsis

Start making beautiful crafts from polymer clay! Art Makers: Polymer Clay for Beginners is your step-by-step guide to making trinkets, animals, plants, and more using this fun, easy, and kiln-free craft.

Polymer Clay for Beginners introduces artists, art hobbyists, and polymer clay enthusiasts to the versatile, accessible polymer clay medium. Because polymer clay does not require the use of a kiln and needs only baking in the oven, it is an easy, approachable art form for even the most inexperienced artist to learn, as well as kids, families, teachers, and anyone else looking for a fun, boredom-busting hobby or craft.

Professional artist and owner of Cat Bear Express, Emily Chen, demonstrates how to make adorable animal figurines, flowers, cookies, cakes, beads, and more through easy step-by-step projects. Each project features colorful, styled photographs demonstrating how finished pieces can be used, displayed, and gifted. A comprehensive tools and materials section and detailed information on techniques, baking, and glazing guide artists in their quest to become polymer clay pros.

A modern approach to sculpture art, polymer clay is the perfect choice for beginners and crafting enthusiasts.

The Art Makers series is designed for beginning artists and arts-and-crafts enthusiasts who are interested in experiencing fun hands-on mediums, including embroidery and papier-mache.

About this title

About the Author

New Jersey-based Emily Chen is a polymer clay artist, owner of Cat Bear Express, and author of Kawaii Polymer Clay Creations. Her work is inspired by everyday life, from food in the kitchen to the flowers in the garden. She is an advocate of lifelong learning and can often be found reading, learning, and experimenting with new techniques. Emily loves hearing from her readers, whether it’s answering questions about clay or sharing photos of inspired projects! 
 

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Polymer Clay for Beginners

Inspiration, Techniques, and Simple Step-by-Step Projects for Making Art with Polymer Clay

By Emily Chen

The Quarto Group

Copyright © 2019 Emily Chen
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-63322-632-6

Contents

Introduction, 
Tools & Materials, 
Techniques, 
Baking Guidelines, 
Troubleshooting Tips, 
Finishes, 
Projects, 
FOOD, 
Macaron, 
Chocolate Chip Cookie, 
Fruit Canes, 
Fruit Tart, 
Rainbow Cake, 
Swiss Cheese Charm, 
ANIMALS, 
Pug Charm, 
Cat, 
Pig, 
Cow, 
Unicorn, 
PLANTS, 
Succulent, 
Cactus, 
Rose, 
Cherry Blossom, 
BEADS, 
About the Artist, 

CHAPTER 1

FOOD

MACARON

A macaron is a sweet treat popularized in France that now appears all over the world. What's your favorite flavor of macaron? Let's learn how to make it using polymer clay!

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Polymer clay in light green and white translucent

* Rolling tool

* Circle cutter

* Pointed detail tool or sewing pin

STEP 1

Separate the green clay into two balls, making one of the balls about one-quarter the size of the other. Form the translucent clay into a ball the same size as the smaller green one.

Then mix the small balls of translucent and green clay together.

STEP 2

Use a rolling tool to flatten the clay mixture to about 1/8" (3 mm) thick. With a round cutter, cut out two small circles.

STEP 3

Using a pointed detail tool or sewing pin, lightly swirl the sides of the circles to add texture.

STEP 4

Continue swirling all around the edges of the two circles.

Then use a roller to flatten out the light green clay to about half the thickness of the other circles. Place the light green clay in the center of the macaron halves, with the textured sides facing the center.

STEP 5

Bake in the oven according to the instructions on the package of clay to finish making your delicious French macaron!

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE

I love chocolate chip cookies, and these make a fun, easy project for beginners!

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Polymer clay in ecru or tan, translucent, and dark brown

* Rolling tool or pasta machine

* Sharp edge or blade cutter

* Tan and red-brown chalk pastels

* Toothbrush

STEP 1

Start with a 1:1 ratio of ecru and translucent clay. Mix until thoroughly combined and set aside.

STEP 2

Roll out a thin sheet of dark brown clay, and then bake it in the oven for about 5 minutes to harden. Let the clay cool.

STEP 3

Use a sharp tool to chop the sheet into chunks.

STEP 4

Flatten the ecru-translucent mixture from step 1, creating a disc. Place the chunks from step 3 onto the disc, and mix to distribute evenly.

STEP 5

Use your fingers to press up the edges of the cookie and create a round shape.

STEP 6

With a clean toothbrush, add more texture to the cookie.

STEP 7

Shave some tan and red-brown chalk pastels using a sharp blade. Then brush the tan chalk pastels all over the cookie.

STEP 8

Brush red-brown chalk pastels onto the raised parts of the cookie.

STEP 9

Follow the baking instructions on the package of clay, and now you've made a delicious little chocolate chip cookie!

FRUIT CANES

In addition to making three-dimensional pieces like the ones you've already seen in this book, you can try combining two or more colors of clay into a single rod. Cutting the rod into slices creates a two-dimensional pattern that's ideal for making flowers, jewelry, and buttons. This rod is called a "cane," and here, we'll use this technique to create slices of fruit, starting with an orange and then moving on to a strawberry. The slices can be used to garnish the fruit tart shown here.

ORANGE SLICES

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Polymer clay in translucent, orange, and white

* Blade tool

* Rolling tool

* Toothpick or small, round detail tool

STEP 1

Start with equal parts of translucent and orange clay, and mix the two together. Then shape your clay into a thick wheel.

STEP 2

With the blade tool, slice the wheel into 8 equal parts, and set them aside.

STEP 3

Use a roller to roll out a thin sheet of white clay.

STEP 4

Cut a strip of white clay the same width as your orange slices, and lay three of the orange slices on top as shown. Trim off any excess clay.

Cut another strip half the length of the first, and place it between two orange slices.

STEP 5

Continue adding slices of white clay all the way around your orange wheel. Then cut a strip of white clay to cover the sides of your orange wheel.

STEP 6

Wrap the white clay around the orange wheel and cut off any excess. Repeat, using orange clay this time.

STEP 7

Using your fingers, pinch, roll, and pull the orange wheel to create a log.

STEP 8

Use your blade tool to cut a few slices from the log.

STEP 9

Leave the orange slices as they are, or use a toothpick or round detail tool to poke the orange flesh and add texture. Then bake according to the directions on the package of clay.

STRAWBERRY SLICES

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Polymer clay in white, translucent, and red

* Rolling tool

* Blade tool

* Optional: toothpick

STEP 1

Mix together 8 balls of clay, gradated from red to translucent white, as shown.

STEP 2

Using the third-lightest pink color, form a teardrop shape. Pinch its sides to make it thicker and more blocklike.

STEP 3

With the next-lightest shade, form a thick strip, and wrap it around the teardrop shape. Pinch or roll the clay on a flat surface to bind the colors.

STEP 4

Repeat step 3 with the lightest color you mixed.

STEP 5

Pinch and pull the clay to form a thick log. This will be the center of the strawberry. Set it aside for now.

STEP 6

Reserving the red clay, shape the four remaining pink colors into thick rectangles. To mix the colors, we'll use the Skinner Blend technique, which is described here.

Stack the rectangles, and press to flatten them.

STEP 7

Use a rolling tool to create a long strip of these 4 colors. Fold the strip over, placing the two alike colors together, and roll and flatten again.

STEP 8

Fold and roll your clay mixture about 15 to 20 times to create a smooth gradient. Shape the finished gradient into a long rectangle.

STEP 9

Use your blade tool to cut the rectangle into 12 equal pieces. Then roll out a thin strip of white clay.

STEP 10

Cut a piece of white clay to fit between two of the slices, with the end hanging out. Fold the white clay to one side. Repeat with all of the slices.

STEP 11

Cut a strip of white clay the length of the entire rectangular shape, and place it along the side of the rectangle. Wrap the outer layer around the center layer of the strawberry.

STEP 12

Squeeze and pull the rectangle to combine the layers.

STEP 13

With the red clay that you reserved, roll out a thin layer, and wrap it around the strawberry cane. Pinch and pull, maintaining a rounded triangle, until you've created a long cane.

STEP 14

Cut into the center of your cane to find the most even-looking area. It's normal for the ends of the cane to look a bit squished or warped; you can fix their shape if necessary.

Then use a blade tool to slice the cane.

STEP 15

Use a toothpick or your finger to slightly round the bottom of each slice.

STEP 16

Bake the strawberry slices in the oven according to the instructions on the package of clay.

FRUIT TART

Now, let's use the cane techniques we went over shown here to make a beautiful fruit tart! You'll need to create a strawberry cane like the one shown here before you begin.

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Strawberry cane (see here)

* Polymer clay in tan, light tan, red, and dark blue

* Toothpick

* Blade tool

STEP 1

Use the tan clay to form a flat disc for the tart shell. With a toothpick, score the sides of the disc.

STEP 2

With your thumb, create a slight dip in the tart shell. Form a disc of light tan clay, and fill the dip in the shell.

STEP 3

Use the dark blue clay to form many tiny blueberries. Don't worry if their sizes vary; real blueberries come in different sizes too!

STEP 4

Roll the red clay into tiny balls. Roll together about 8 to 10 balls to form a raspberry. Each raspberry should be slightly larger than the blueberries; make 3 of them.

STEP 5

Use your blade tool to slice the strawberry cane. You'll need about 12 strawberry slices.

STEP 6

Arrange the first row of fruit around the edge of the tart, alternating the strawberries and blueberries.

STEP 7

Moving inward, add another row of slightly overlapping strawberries.

STEP 8

Fill the empty space in the center with blueberries.

STEP 9

Place 3 raspberries on top of the blueberries. Bake according to the instructions on your package of clay, and now you've made a beautiful fruit tart!

RAINBOW CAKE

Who doesn't love cake?! This rainbow cake takes a bit of time to make, but the colorful result is stunning and well worth the effort!

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Small balls of polymer clay in white, red, yellow, orange, green, blue, and purple

* Rolling tool or pasta machine

* Circle cutter

* Cutting blade

* Pointed detail tool or sewing pin

* Liquid clay

* Flat modeling tool

STEP 1

With a pasta machine or rolling tool, roll out the colored balls of clay to 1/8" (3 mm) thick. Use a larger circle cutter to cut circles from the clay.

STEP 2

Roll out a thin sheet of white clay to about one-quarter the thickness of the colored discs. Cut circles from the white clay, and place one on top of the purple disc. Then place the blue on top of the white disc, like a sandwich.

STEP 3

Continue placing layers of white clay between the colors to form a rainbow, ending with the red layer on top.

STEP 4

Using a straight cutting blade, cut the cake in half.

STEP 5

Cut the remaining pieces until you have formed 6 equal slices.

STEP 6

With a pointed detail tool or sewing pin, stir up the colored layers (except for the white) using small, circular motions. Clean the tool between each layer.

STEP 7

Continue texturing all of the layers. Bake the slices for about 5 to 10 minutes at the temperature indicated on the package of clay.

STEP 8

While you bake the cakes, prepare the frosting using equal parts white clay and liquid clay.

STEP 9

Mix with a flat tool until all the lumps are gone and you've formed a thick, sticky frosting.

STEP 10

Apply the frosting to the tops and sides of the cake slices.

STEP 11

To make sprinkles, roll out a small snake of each color of clay, making each very thin. Bake the snakes for 5 minutes at the temperature indicated on the package of clay.

STEP 12

With a blade, cut "sprinkles" from the clay. Make them as small as possible while maintaining their circular shape.

STEP 13

Make about 10 to 15 sprinkles of each color.

STEP 14

Place the sprinkles on the tops and lower sides of the cakes.

STEP 15

Bake the cakes for another 5 to 10 minutes, and they're done!

SWISS CHEESE CHARM

This Swiss cheese charm looks delectable when hanging from a necklace, and it is so easy to make!

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Polymer clay in yellow and translucent

* Large round detail tool

* Headpin

* Round-nose pliers

STEP 1

Form a small ball of yellow clay and a larger ball of translucent clay. Then mix the two together to create the shiny, transparent look of cheese.

Create a wedge by pinching the clay with your fingers and flattening it on your work surface.

STEP 2

Using a large round detail tool, create the holes that are typical in Swiss cheese.

STEP 3

To turn the clay into a charm, carefully insert a headpin through the side of the wedge of cheese.

STEP 4

Leaving the headpin in the cheese, bake it in the oven according to the instructions on the package of clay.

STEP 5

Let the clay cool. Then bend and cut the wire to about 1/4" (6 mm) in length.

STEP 6

Using round-nose pliers, twist the wire into a small loop to finish your charm. Now you can carry a little wedge of cheese with you wherever you go!

CHAPTER 2

ANIMALS

PUG CHARM

Whether you're a dog person or more of a cat person, this little Pug is sure to bring a smile to your face.

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Polymer clay in tan, black, and pink

* Round detail tool

* Headpin

* Acrylic paint in white and black

STEP 1

Form the tan clay into a ball, and then use the side of your finger to create an indent for the Pug's legs.

STEP 2

Pinch each corner slightly to pull out the legs.

STEP 3

Turn the Pug right side up to make sure it stands evenly, and adjust as needed. Roll out a thin rope of tan clay that's roughly the same length as the Pug's body.

STEP 4

Coil up the rope to create a curly tail. Place it on the Pug's backside, and smooth down one end of the tail to attach it firmly to the body.

STEP 5

Using black clay, create a small oval disc. Place it in the center of the Pug's face for its muzzle.

STEP 6

Make two small black triangles for the Pug's ears. Place them on either side of its face, above the muzzle.

STEP 7

Using a round detail tool, make indents where you want the Pug's eyes to go. Form two tiny balls of black clay, and place them in the indents. Flatten them with your finger.

STEP 8

Make a small black triangle about the same size as the eyes, and place it on top of the muzzle to form the Pug's nose.

STEP 9

With a small amount of pink clay, make a flat oval for the dog's tongue. Use your fingernail or a needle tool to create a line in the tongue, and place it on the muzzle with the end of the line touching the Pug's nose.

STEP 10

To turn your Pug into a charm, carefully push a headpin through the top, and then bake it according to the instructions on the clay's packaging.

STEP 11

Once baked and cooled, bend and cut the wire to about 1/4" (6 mm) in length. Then use round-nose pliers to twist the wire into a small loop.

STEP 12

Now let's paint your Pug's paws! Turn it upside down, and paint little black hearts with the points facing the front of the dog.

STEP 13

Paint four small ovals around the pointed end of each heart.

STEP 14

Finish up your polymer clay Pug by painting little white dots on the eyes. This will bring your dog to life!

CAT

Cats love to relax, and this little one is no exception! Try adding closed eyes for a cute variation on a sleepy kitty.

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Polymer clay in black and white

* Acrylic paint in pink, green, black, and white

STEP 1

Form the black clay into a large egg shape.

STEP 2

Use your finger to press down the middle and make a bean shape.

STEP 3

On the larger end of the bean shape, create ears by pinching the two sides upward.

STEP 4

To create the cat's tail, form a tapered snake that's the same length as the body.

STEP 5

Attach the cat's tail to the body, and smooth down the area where the two meet using your finger.

STEP 6

Curl the tail along the side of the body.

STEP 7

To make the cat's front legs, roll out two more tapered snakes that are half the size of the tail, and press to flatten each of the thicker sides.

STEP 8

Form two small balls of white clay for the paws.

STEP 9

Place the white balls on the flat side of each leg, and gently roll to attach.

STEP 10

Place the arms on either side of the face. Bake according to the instructions on the package of clay.

STEP 11

Let the clay cool. Then paint a small, pink triangle in the center of the cat's face.

STEP 12

Paint two green circles for the eyes.

STEP 13

Add two black slits and white dots to the eyes to bring your little kitty to life!

ADD A BALL OF YARN

Now that you've created an adorable little black cat, why not add a ball of yarn for a fun pop of color?

STEP 1

Start with a disc of orange clay.

STEP 2

Roll out the disc into a long, thin snake.

STEP 3

Create a coil by wrapping the snake about 2 to 3 times around.

STEP 4

Turn the coil on its side, and wrap the snake perpendicularly.

STEP 5

Turn the coil on its side again, and continue wrapping until you're happy with the size of the ball of clay.

STEP 6

Position the ball of clay under one of the cat's paws, like he's playing with it. And you're all done!

PIG

Now let's make a pig that will stay tiny and cute!

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Polymer clay in light flesh pink or pink, and black

* Round detail tool or toothpick

STEP 1

Start by forming the pink clay into an egg shape.

STEP 2

At the narrow end of the egg, pinch and pull the clay slightly upward to create the pig's snout.

STEP 3

Squeeze the middle of the egg shape with the side of your finger. This indent will form the pig's legs.

STEP 4

Pinch the clay slightly to pull the legs out.

STEP 5

Pinch the clay again to begin creating individual legs.

STEP 6

Repeat until you've created the pig's four legs. Then place the pig upright to check if it stands evenly. Adjust as needed.

STEP 7

Form two small balls into triangles. Attach them to the pig's head to make its ears.

STEP 8

Make another small ball of light pink clay, and roll it out into a snake that's about the length of the pig.

STEP 9

Coil up the snake you just created to form the pig's curly tail.

STEP 10

Place the tail on the pig's backside. Then smooth down the bottom to firmly attach the tail.

STEP 11

Make a tiny oval disc for the pig's nose. Attach it to the head, using your nail to press it down securely.

STEP 12

Use a smaller round tool to make indents where the eyes will go.

STEP 13

Make indents on the snout as well.

STEP 14

Form tiny black balls the size of the eye indents, and place them on the pig.

STEP 15

Use your nail to flatten the balls to fit into each hole.

STEP 16

Finish up your pig by baking it according to the instructions on the package of clay.

COW

Moo! This adorable little cow is sure to delight any animal lover!

TOOLS & MATERIALS

* Polymer clay in pink and white

* Round detail tool

* 1/2" (12 mm) piece of wire

* Acrylic paint in white and black

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Polymer Clay for Beginners by Emily Chen. Copyright © 2019 Emily Chen. Excerpted by permission of The Quarto Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Edition details

• Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1633226328
• ISBN 13: 9781633226326
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128