Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Meet ColtPixy

by

This Wednesday, I’d like to introduce you to Star aka ColtPixy. ColtPixy runs the ArtFire Polymer Clay Guild known as the Smooshers. It’s an inclusive group and it has a whole line up of clayers from new-to-clay to old hands.

1. So, introduce yourself!

Hi my name is Angelina Star Edwards. In person everyone calls me Star and online most people know me as ColtPixy. I currently reside in beautiful, rural Tennessee.

2. Why do you work with polymer clay?

For many years I made my living creating stained glass mosaics but as a hobby I sculpted with polymer clay. Several years ago I severely injured a tendon in my hand and my orthopedic surgeon suggested I do that the other way around.

3. What’s your favourite technique in clay?

From then on my main focus has been sculpting and I could not be happier. I am so lucky to be doing what I love.

You can see more of Star’s work here:
http://ColtPixy.com
http://ColtPixy.artfire.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/coltpixy

What’s up with Wednesdays? Well, Wednesdays are going to be my day to Meet People, where by “people” I mean polymer clay artists and polymer clay art enthusiasts. If you’re interested in a bit of a spotlight, email me at [email protected] and I will shoot you a couple questions.

Next Polymer Clay Idea:

Comments

  3. ColtPixy creates amazing items with polymer clay, she is such an inspiration. Added to that she is one of the nicest women I know and I am proud to call her my friend.
    Congrats on your feature Star.

  5. Hi Cat!, and Star it’s been awhile. I’ve always enjoyed your work though. Hope all is well with you. Thank you Cat, Star is a wonderful choice for this forum, and I love the piece you’ve featured. I remember when Star was creating it. …Hugs Ladies!! <3

  7. This is so well deserved! Not only is Star uber talented (LOVE that passion flower!) but so generous and giving of herself, she is the backbone of the Smooshers =)

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