I have been reading the threads about the tools the lampworkers are working with to musch glass into bead shapes. Has anyone tried these with polyclay, or is it just overkill. (Like using a hammer and nails on clay).
.Stephanie.
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Any tool is fair game on polyclay. When I started sculpting with it I used my fingernail file. Dental tools would be great. If it looks useful it probably would be. (I have no idea what tools lampworkers use) Diana
When Diana says Anything--she means it. I use a cut up State of California MediCal benefits card to square up my canes, or to let my roses sit on until I have enough to justify heating up the whole house by curing them.
Hi Stephanie.
I don't see why you couldn't use them but I would think that they're kind of expensive since you could probably make your own molds right out of polymer clay or something cheaper. That's my opinion though...I haven't done clay in over 2 years now.
It's that squeeze action of the glass molds that appeals to me... I wonder if I could find a cheaper alternative. Hey, maybe when you beadmakers have used them up for glass work they would still be viable for polyclay? Does anyone have any old squeezers you don't use and would want to sell?
.Stephanie.
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Those dang squeeze molds are expensive. First you have to have the base, either $110 with lentil press or close to that for one that will hold four presses. Then the press itself is around $65 I think. They are fairly new but if you want to try one look in the swap shop on Wetcanvas and you might find one for sale or trade.
I'm thinking of ordering the tiny lentil masher. What appeals to me is the cut-outs for putting in holes.
I wrote to tapcraft and asked if they'd be suitable for polyclay. He (she?) wrote back, asking how hard is the clay; said they may go out of alignment if working something too hard.
I think clay may be soft enough where it won't be a problem.
Cheers, Carla
Stephanie wrote:
Hmmm...I was thinking of the ones that look like tongs.
Cheers, Carla
starlia wrote:
The tapcrafts should be ok. Since they wouldn't be hot, you could press with your fingers right on the cups and even trim around the edges. You don't have to use the handles if you don't want to.
Those sound great. Also the Onieda ice cube tongs are great for lentils. I purchased some for another RCBer lately and adjusted them just so.
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