Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

August Polymer Cafe!

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polymer_cafe_31_t The August issue of Polymer Cafe has arrived, with lots of treats to inspire and instruct.  The “Random Layers Pendants” by Christi Uliczny featured on the cover show a fantastic way to use an assortment of both translucent and opaque canes.

If you’re interested in expanding your repertoire to include Precious Metal Clay, the “Fish Frenzy” pendant by Shirley Rufener would be an excellent place to start.

This was an excellent issue for learning new skills, as the “Steampunk Business Card Case” by Eugena Topina also includes clever instructions for working with small amounts of resin as a finish on polymer clay.  Also in the steampunk genre was the “Just the Gears” article by Lisa Heller.  The idea of being able to make my own custom polymer clay “gears” for any Steampunk projects is tickling my muse already.

Other projects include an elegant “Altered Jewelry Box” by Michelle Herren, a stately ” Mayan Necklace” by Jacqueline Josten, and cute as can be “Play-on-Words Pots” by Laura J. Schiller.

Congratulations go out to the winners of the “Touchy Feely Challenge” winners, Cheryl Watt for her “Leafy Leah,” Reanna Bower for her “Twysted Roots,” Jennifer Miller for her “Ocean Tides,” and Cathy Clark for her “Here, Fishy Fishy.”  And as always, the Reader’s Gallery is full of eye candy and inspiration!

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How To Make A Milk Mache Molding Compound

There are some craft projects that feel like they belong on a rainy afternoon kitchen table, and this Milk Mache Molding Compound is exactly one of them. It is part craft, part science experiment, and part “wait… did we just turn milk into something solid?”

This clever little project from CraftBits shows you how to make a simple homemade molding compound using just milk and vinegar. The idea is wonderfully old-school: when the vinegar reacts with the milk, it separates into curds and liquid, leaving you with a soft mixture that can be pressed, shaped, and dried into a hard, stone-like material.

It’s a lovely one to try with kids, especially if you enjoy hands-on STEM-style crafts that do not require a trolley full of supplies. You can use the finished compound to make small charms, beads, ornaments, rustic tags, or simple molded shapes. Just keep the pieces small and thin, as this is not really the sort of compound you would use for large sculptures or anything that needs to be perfectly smooth.

What I like most about this project is how accessible it is. Most of us already have milk, vinegar, a bowl, and paper towel in the kitchen, which makes it a brilliant last-minute craft activity. It also has that slightly magical quality children love — one minute it is liquid, the next it is turning into a moldable material.

A couple of tips before you try it: use whole milk if you can, as it tends to give a better result than skim or semi-skimmed milk. White vinegar is also the best choice, as darker vinegars may affect the colour and texture. And don’t rush the draining stage. If the mixture is too wet, it will be soggy and hard to shape; if it is too dry, it may crumble.

This would be a fun companion activity for our other kids craft ideas, especially if you are looking for something simple, inexpensive, and a little bit educational. It also fits nicely with home crafts and handmade gift embellishments if you want to turn your dried shapes into tags or decorations.

Would I call this a polished, professional clay substitute? No. Would I call it a wonderfully curious, messy, memorable craft experiment? Absolutely.

If you enjoy homemade craft supplies, kitchen-table experiments, or easy projects that make children ask “how did that happen?”, this Milk Mache Molding Compound is well worth a try.

You can find the full project instructions here: Milk Mache Molding Compound