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#1
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Hey, you polymer people! I have a question.
I've never done anything with polymer, but have a couple of pieces that I've
either bought or received as a gift. I wanted to try something, where I wanted some silver in the clay. Can I just bake the clay with the silver in it? I'm assuming that after it's done, it's too hard to be able to get a silver wire through the clay? The stuff I have is Fimo, if that makes any difference. Also does it shrink much? THANKS! I have no clue what I'm doing, so this first attempt may be a disaster. -- Jerri www.beadbimbo.com |
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#2
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On Thu, 27 May 2004 16:59:19 -0400, "Beadbimbo"
wrote: I've never done anything with polymer, but have a couple of pieces that I've either bought or received as a gift. I wanted to try something, where I wanted some silver in the clay. Can I just bake the clay with the silver in it? I'm assuming that after it's done, it's too hard to be able to get a silver wire through the clay? The stuff I have is Fimo, if that makes any difference. Also does it shrink much? THANKS! I have no clue what I'm doing, so this first attempt may be a disaster. By silver, do you mean wire? - short answer- yes, wire can be baked directly into the clay. You can also smooth silver leaf (real or immitation) over the clay surface and bake that - but varnish that after baking to protect it. Polyclay has no real noticable shrinkage after baking. Fimo is a good clay, one of the stronger ones - but needs to be well kneaded before using - and can be a bit firm if it one of the older formulations (they recently changed it and it is a lot softer - but these stocks havent reached every nook and cranny of America yet from what I can gather) HTH Emma |
#3
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On Thu, 27 May 2004 16:59:19 -0400, "Beadbimbo"
wrote: I've never done anything with polymer, but have a couple of pieces that I've either bought or received as a gift. I wanted to try something, where I wanted some silver in the clay. Can I just bake the clay with the silver in it? I'm assuming that after it's done, it's too hard to be able to get a silver wire through the clay? The stuff I have is Fimo, if that makes any difference. Also does it shrink much? THANKS! I have no clue what I'm doing, so this first attempt may be a disaster. forgot to add to my last post - if you are using silver wire, it can be baked into the clay, but will not actually bond with it. So, you will need to just remove it and glue it back into place with a little superglue (cyanoacrylate) after baking - unless the design is such that it is kept in place structurally of course. Emma |
#5
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http://www.glassattic.com/
Glass Attic: encyclopedia of polymer clay info ~~ Sooz ------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html |
#6
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I would suggest not using super glue and instead use 2 part epoxy. Supper
glue gets brittle with time. Roxan "E J Ralph" wrote in message ... On Thu, 27 May 2004 16:59:19 -0400, "Beadbimbo" wrote: I've never done anything with polymer, but have a couple of pieces that I've either bought or received as a gift. I wanted to try something, where I wanted some silver in the clay. Can I just bake the clay with the silver in it? I'm assuming that after it's done, it's too hard to be able to get a silver wire through the clay? The stuff I have is Fimo, if that makes any difference. Also does it shrink much? THANKS! I have no clue what I'm doing, so this first attempt may be a disaster. forgot to add to my last post - if you are using silver wire, it can be baked into the clay, but will not actually bond with it. So, you will need to just remove it and glue it back into place with a little superglue (cyanoacrylate) after baking - unless the design is such that it is kept in place structurally of course. Emma |
#7
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On Fri, 28 May 2004 10:26:28 -0400, "roxan"
wrote: I would suggest not using super glue and instead use 2 part epoxy. Supper glue gets brittle with time. Roxan I personally have not experienced any problems with superglue when gluing sterling wire into polyclay - but it is important to use a quality glue and be sure it is fresh too - if your glue is over 6 months old - replace it! Also sand the wire part that will be glued into the bead - that makes the bond even more secure. The trouble with epoxy glue for this particular application is that firstly it is nigh on impossible to physically get enough epoxy glue into the thin hole where the wire has been removed from ( and any glue will only work if it is physically there!) and even if you can get the glue in, it is very difficult do it cleanly. Epoxy is wonderful stuff, but it is darn gloopy ( - technicaly term there!) For larger gluing jobs, fixing clay onto brooch or barette backings for example, I would also use epoxy glue as it has the strength and flex to cope with the heavy handling those items would get. But for wire into beads, I find that superglue gives me the best and most reliable results. Of course - other's milage may vary as they say! Emma |
#8
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Superglue is not recommended for jewelry work, as it is too brittle. In the
long run, it will lose its grip, and even cause threads to crack like ice. HypoCement, a watchmaker's glue, is highly recommended -- and it's easier to place than superglue. It has a needle applicator. You'll be stunned at how good it is. Try he http://snipurl.com/6qdw ~~ Sooz ------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html |
#9
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On 28 May 2004 18:07:51 GMT, uppies (Dr. Sooz)
wrote: Superglue is not recommended for jewelry work, as it is too brittle. In the long run, it will lose its grip, and even cause threads to crack like ice. HypoCement, a watchmaker's glue, is highly recommended -- and it's easier to place than superglue. It has a needle applicator. You'll be stunned at how good it is. Try he http://snipurl.com/6qdw ~~ Sooz That looks interesting, the applicator is very nifty indeed! - is it compatible with polymer clay though? We have to be careful with polyclay and chemical compatibility issues when using different products, so I personally wouldn't use that on polyclay unless it was known to be stable with the clay long term (any clayers out there that can confirm this?) I will certainly get some and start conducting some tests with it though as it looks very interesting. I can only state again - when it comes to gluing *wire* into *polymer clay beads* - I have found superglue to be highly reliable. I have pendants with wire bails glued in that are over 10 years old and show no problems - I would not sell items made that way unless I was confident in that process, I wouldn't recommend it in my books either. I can't speak for other applications and crafts, only what I have experienced with my own work in polyclay - but I think other clay artists also recommend and use superglue with their polyclay quite sucessfully (if memory serves - Victoria Hughes, Sue Heaser and Lisa Pavelka all also recommend it for certain uses in their books) The only real no-no with superglue and clay is that it should not be baked as the bond will degrade with heat. Sorry - I am not meaning to be an a*** here, just respectfully disagreeing with you about this *particular* application. I too, would never use superglue for certain other applications. Horses for courses as they say. Emma |
#10
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is it
compatible with polymer clay though? We have to be careful with polyclay and chemical compatibility issues when using different products, so I personally wouldn't use that on polyclay unless it was known to be stable with the clay long term (any clayers out there that can confirm this?) I don't know about that, but here's the dope on glue from Glass Attic: http://glassattic.com/polymer/glues-Diluent.htm Why is a polymer clay encyclopedia site called "Glass Attic"? I've always wondered. It has nothing to do with glass. ~~ Sooz ------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html |
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