Want to make buttons

Hi, I am interested in making my own buttons for my handmade clothes.
Which type of poly clay would be best? I have a large block of cernit,
but it's white, & turns a flesh color when baked. I plan on using the
cernit to make molds. Should I restrict it to just the molds, or could
I mix it with another type of poly clay to make custom colors?
Thanks
Kathy

I think Cernit is one of the strongest clays. No problem tinting it with
Premo or Fimo--they are also very strong. Sculpey and Sculpey III are
relatively brittle, so I wouldn't use them for buttons, but Super Sculpey is
OK for inexpensive molds.
If you are going to apply surface treatments, make sure you test the
finishes in your washing machine, or however the garments will be
washed--Future comes off in the washer or dryer.

Georgia

"Kathy" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi, I am interested in making my own buttons for my handmade clothes.
Which type of poly clay would be best? I have a large block of cernit,
but it's white, & turns a flesh color when baked. I plan on using the
cernit to make molds. Should I restrict it to just the molds, or could
I mix it with another type of poly clay to make custom colors?
Thanks
Kathy

Check out this resource: http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/buttons.htm


Barbara


"Kathy" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi, I am interested in making my own buttons for my handmade clothes.
Which type of poly clay would be best? I have a large block of cernit,
but it's white, & turns a flesh color when baked. I plan on using the
cernit to make molds. Should I restrict it to just the molds, or could
I mix it with another type of poly clay to make custom colors?
Thanks
Kathy

Kathy, one was flesh and one was white due to the baking temp--get
yourself an oven thermomenter and be really observant about keeping the
temps even. Theres more info about button making at my page
www.polyclay.com/buttons.htm

have fun!

oh--the other thing about colors---waxier (translucent based) clays
like Cernit darken when baking. You can add white to colors to help
avoid this. Also, what looks to be white could well be the porcelain
shade---it darkens. Cernit is more used by dollmakers because of its
waxier-looking, more flesh-like finish. Try a clay like Premo or Fimo
for your strongest results that are more matte too.
sarajane

Thanks to both of you. I made some test buttons & molds from plain
white cernit to see how it works. I baked them in 2 separate batches,
& I'm confused because the first batch came out flesh color & the 2nd
batch came out white???
I stopped off at Michaels & got a 10 color pack of Fimo yesterday, so
once I figure out more about the baking, I'm all ready to start.
Kathy

On 10 Feb 2005 18:01:05 -0800, "Kathy" wrote:

Hi, I am interested in making my own buttons for my handmade clothes.
Which type of poly clay would be best? I have a large block of cernit,
but it's white, & turns a flesh color when baked. I plan on using the
cernit to make molds. Should I restrict it to just the molds, or could
I mix it with another type of poly clay to make custom colors?
Thanks
Kathy

I've noticed that the temerature directions on sculpey are too hot, the
white will burn like that if you follow the directions. I wonder why
they don't change that? I've never tried cernit but it sounds like the
same problem.