Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

It’s Beaker!

by

by EdelC

by EdelC

How cute is this?  I remember eagerly anticipating those familiar strains of  “It’s time to play the music…” every Sunday evening as a child,  so this project made me squeal with glee.    Craftster member EdelC sculpted him over her slightly damaged memory stick to protect it.  You can read about it here. You can also find her blog here.

(Of course this isn’t a project one could sell because of the use of a trademarked character, but it sure is cute for a personal project!)

[tags]beaker, memory stick, polymer clay[/tags]

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Comments

  1. I am so pleased that you like it and very chuffed that you reported on it. I have to say that it works really well, i am a lecturer at a university and I am so not leaving him behind in any of the lecture room computers, he looks at me sorrowfully if I try..

    plus he has my phone number inscribed into the back so he can always be returned home to me

    Thanks
    Edelc

Have you read?

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