Fimo and clay tips and tutorials
It’s time for a giveaway! I’ll be giving away the August 2009 issue of Polymer Cafe.
Leave a comment on this post telling us about one of your creative goals for the year, and I will draw a winner in one week on July 15. Good Luck!
(Be sure to include some form of email address so I will be able to contact you!)
[tags]polymer cafe, august issue, giveaway[/tags]
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
My creative goal is to learn more techniques and come up with a few of my own to share.
coltpixy.gmail
I have two goals for this year:
1. Make my beaded jewellery business a success.
2. Improve my skills in other crafts (e.g. sewing).
I want to start working with felt. It looks so easy and fun!
Thanks!
My creative goal this year is to make special treasures for special people.
Ironically given the giveaway, one of my creative goals is to master polymer clay since I can’t seem to get anything to look the way I want. I know time and patience are big keys to this so I have decided that this is my next goal to achieve.
My goal for this year is to play! I’ve been working at (emphasis on working) selling some pieces online and in a local shoppe, but I find myself relying on techniques and colors that I’m comfortable with just to GET IT DONE! I plan to make more time in this second half of 2009 to experiment and play and find more things that I can be comfortable with next year!
I think you are right; time to “play” more, at least until it is time to make gifts for Christmas!
This year a creative goal is to try a little more whimsical work, a little more sculpture. I’m hoping to tie that into my holiday lines.
just to cool
This years creative goal is to learn quilting and make to one! I’ve wanted to do this for a while but never had the time. Now I’m able to take up some of the crafts I want to learn. And ploymer clay’s one of them. Thanks for this giveaway.
My creative goals at the mid point of the year is to learn more about polymer clay and the possiblities with making beads. Also, to BE creative!
My goal for this year is to create as much art as I can. I have been dorment in my creativity due to small children. They are now 15, 10 and 7. This has given me a little me time to get back to my passion.
This year, my intention is to get a bit more “open” with my expression- alot of times I hold back, I think I’d like to let it flow- let out all of me, instead of just the traditional creations.
Become more crafty.
to make a polymer clay pendant that meets my rather stringent requirements as “good enough” to give as a gift. 🙂
My creative goal is to get in the studio EVERYDAY for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Not only would my creativity benefit, but so would my sanity!!!
My goal is to simply have fun at whatever I do, and currently that involves: steam punk, portraits, guitar lessons, knitting, book reviews, jewelry designs in clay, piano lessons, poetry, horseback riding and more…. =)
to start a business [email protected]
My creative goal for the summer is to make my little “studio” (spare room)more functional so I can access all those recyclable/upcyclable raw materials and work some magic!
My goal is to teach this year to children and adults. It’s time to share the fun!
Starting in July!
One of my creative goals this year is to design a quilted wallhanging.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
This looks great….I WANT IT….PLEASE?
My goal is to make several polymer tree ornaments of white snowmen or white artic foxes to put inside of box Christmas tree ornaments I made from my Christmas Cards I received last year. I want to give these to people in the Church I attend this Christmas when we exchange cards. See, alot of them will get their cards back in the form of a Christmas ornament, as well as an additional polymer clay ornament inside the recycled Christmas card box ornament.
My goal is just to work more with polymer to get better at my technique.
One of my goals this year is to learn to knit. That and create some of my own crochet patterns for a change.
My goal is to take the beads I’ve been collecting to a bead shop and learn how to attach the findings to make them into jewelry.
My goal for the year is to learn how to make my jewelery into a way to make some extra money.
My creative goal for this year is to master the art of stain glass. Have always been interested in this and am ready to try it.
I’ve put away my clay for awhile, and my goal is to get it back out! I want to create jewelry. I love the beads and buttons I’ve seen here!
My creative goal for this year is to get some ideas to make special items for gifts.
My creative goal for this year is to learn to can.
This year my creative goal is to create a scrapbook of my old pictures.
My goal is to improve my skill in working with polymer clay and to explore new designs.
My creative goal this year is to spend more time with my crafts and less in front of the TV!
I would like to sew more for my family and try to carve out more time for my other crafts.
My creative goal for the year is to develop more inexpensive but attractive packaging. Everyone likes to open their “present” when they order online, but it’s hard to keep prices low enough to compete and still make my goodies look pretty.
I want to learn more techniques and sharpen my skill.
My creative goals are to leran how to make decorative pillows and clothes for my granddaughter.
i would love to start doing crfts with my kids i just need some good ideas
My creative goal is to do new and interesting things with decoupage, including some decoupage jewelry!
My creative goal is to make a jewelry collection and be able to display it on QVC. Its a huge goal but I believe I can do it.
I would like to take on quilting for this year.