Which clay for modeling is suitable for beginners. What are the easiest clay figures to mold

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

Unfortunately, in some territories of the post-Soviet space, many types of needlework and craftsmanship were lost, in addition, the significance of primordially female occupations was almost completely lost. However, at present in our country there is a positive trend in the increase in the number of needlewomen and craftswomen. Today, a hobby is not only an opportunity to usefully spend a few hours of leisure, but also a chance to stand out in the team with exclusive handmade jewelry, as well as earn some extra money. One of the most popular areas of female creativity has become work with thermoplastics, or, as it is also called, polymer clay. Let's see what it is and how to work with it.

What is polymer clay?

This is a product of the modern chemical industry, combining the properties of plasticine and plastic. Modeling clay is an ideal substance for modeling all kinds of products: it can be both jewelry (bracelets, pendants, earrings, necklaces or hair clips) and figurines. The modeling of dolls from this plastic mass has recently gained great popularity. As you can see, there is a lot of space.gives material such as clay! The price of a regular package weighing 56 g fluctuates around 120-150 rubles. In general, the cost of the material depends on the manufacturer.

Types of clay

Polymer clay can be divided into two main classes: baked and self-cured. The first category is the most common. Its main drawback is the need to bake finished products in an oven to harden the material. However, it is more than offset by the ability to redo elements or details that the master did not like an unlimited number of times.

Self-hardening clay for modeling in this respect gives less space, and at first it is better not to use it.

In addition to this classification, clay can also be divided by manufacturers. In this article, we will look at the most popular types of clay produced under the Fimo brand in the world:

• Fimo classic is a rather hard type of thermoplastic, difficult to work with, but perseverance and work will allow you to create a rich range of combined patterns.
• Fimo soft is, on the contrary, a very soft material, suitable for creativity with children and for beginners.

Dangers of working with clay

Starting work with new material, each person must understand certain nuances for himself. Since modeling clay is a product of the chemical industry, it is foolish to believe that it is completely safe for humans, as some unscrupulous manufacturers assure. In the case of using baked clay, the release of substances hazardous to humansoccurs during heat treatment. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize their impact on the body if the following simple rules are followed:

• Firstly, you need to bake in an oven that is not used for cooking.
• Secondly, you should thoroughly ventilate the room during the heat treatment of products.

The situation with self-hardening material is much sadder. Vinyl chloride is released during clay handling. You can minimize damage to the body by using gloves, working in a ventilated area and drying the finished product for a week and a half in the open air.

Basic tools

So, having understood the safety rules for yourself when working with this material, you need to find out what tools you will need for full-fledged creativity.

1. Tools for rolling. It can be either a rolling pin made of special acrylic or a fairly expensive pasta machine.
2. Cutting tools: knives with a smooth and wavy blade.
3. Surface to work with. In principle, any smooth surface will do, whether it's a sheet of parchment paper or ceramic tile, but a glass cutting board is best purchased from the home improvement department.

Remember the important rule: all of the above tools must not be used for cooking!

In order to perform heat treatment, clay figurines will need to be baked. For assembly of finished productsyou will need fittings, pliers, round nose pliers and wire cutters. Without this minimum set, you will not be able to create.

Auxiliary tools

1. Forms. Sold in sets and by the piece, used to ensure that polymer clay for modeling is cut in the same way.
2. Stamps - devices for giving texture to blanks.
3. Molds - devices for creating the texture of leaves and flowers.

You may also need:

• acrylic paints;
• ink;
• potal (for creating gold-like elements);
• powder;
• varnish and more.

Polymer clay. Modeling for beginners

So, the workplace is ready, all the necessary tools are in sight, which means you can start sculpting. It is worth starting the development of the material with the simplest elements. Beautiful and symmetrical clay figurines are unlikely to work for you without training and mistakes.

Let's start with beads. Thermoplastic gives us the opportunity to make amazing jewelry with our own hands - a little imagination and the most ordinary beads will become your calling card. In order to mold beads of the same size, it is necessary to cut off an equal amount of plastic. This can be done by evenly rolling out the layer and cutting out pieces from it in any factory shape.

Striped beads

To work, you will need clay for modeling several colors (four colors for stripes and black as a base).

Roll outsome plastic with a rolling pin, fold the resulting plates and cut them in half. Roll out the resulting "turrets" again with a rolling pin and cut into pieces. Next, you need to fold all the parts in a column, laying them in black. Gently squeeze just to let out excess air and connect the edges. Ready poles should be cut into thin slices. Pull each plate along the pattern and twist a little. With the resulting petals, it is necessary to wrap a black bead in a spiral - the base. Roll in your hands. Use a toothpick to make holes for the thread.

At first, when making crafts using a material such as polymer clay, keep a photo of the finished product taken as a sample in front of you.

Thermoplastic Crafts

Having mastered the basic elements, you can begin to conquer more complex forms and patterns. Being engaged in this kind of creativity, never forget that the best is the enemy of the good, and do not overload the product once again with small details. By experimenting with different patterns and textures, you can create a bright decoration from a very banal shape. So, for example, a pendant made of transparent plastic with the addition of colored material will look more advantageous in a rhombus or circle in water.

In closing

As you can see, it is very exciting and interesting to create masterpieces from such a supple and pleasant material as polymer clay. Photos of finished products can be displayed on special platforms forsales. And it is quite possible that your hobby, in addition to aesthetic pleasure, will also give you the opportunity to improve your financial situation - both by selling works and by not having to buy gifts for loved ones.