My affair with polymer was shortlived. It wasn't because we didn't like each other, only we didn't get along very well. He was unpredictable and I was impatient. Used to getting the results I wanted, he ended up in need of refinement.
It all started with a purchase online. The seller was nice and accomodating, but wasn't able to deliver the goods according to my specifications. Actually did the one thing I specifically said I didn't want. I guess she just doesn't work well with customizations because the other accessory I bought from her was very pretty.
Call me obsessive or controlling but I decided to do it myself. As the old saying goes: If you want something done properly, better do it yourself. So despite time constraints I scoured Manila and Cubao and then coming up empty, turned frustratingly to the net for suppliers. I needed to buy them locally. It was not an easy task. Who knew, with all the polymer products online, that finding the raw material would be so hard?! There was even a store in Cubao whose online store boasted of classes in their actual store, only to find out after waiting an hour for their store to open that the owner doesn't keep to the store schedule they posted online. And to date I have not received an answer to my inquiries I sent her email. Very professional.
So discouraged and feeling like I'd never get this project done on time, I turned back to the net and finally found the store I needed. Again I braved the mall where the store was located. I say braved because the mall isn't known to be a nice one. Yes, in third world countries, some malls are not meant for leisure strolls and window shopping. But the trip was well worth the hassle. Not only do they have the clay, they also have the tools which I totally forgot about in my quest for the clay.
The clay, unlike your usual kid's clay, are hard. So knead like a baker I did. Shaping them and stamping the letters in, I baked them in the oven. And also used the 'tenting' technique I read about to even out the baking. Yes, I followed the instructions I found online to a T. TING! The oven announced that it was done! I eagerly went to get them and ofcourse there were bubbles! What the hell?! But I didn't panic, I came prepared. The artist said that in cases like these I can polish them with sand paper. So polish I did, the small pieces one by one. They were small so it was easier to rub them against the sandpaper instead of rubbing the sand paper on them. Surely you get the difference. So scrub-a-dub-dub I went until I felt a stinging sensation on my index and thumb fingers. Ahh the horrors of making things. I didn't realize I was rubbing my fingers on the sand paper as well and chafed my own skin. It was painful as hell! I was so intent on sanding that I didn't feel my fingers rubbing against the paper.
But I went on with it. Using my left hand, the sanding and polishing was slower but I didn't have much choice. I finished the project and was able to use it for the intended purpose. But after all that I went through, I decided to let my tools rest until I've had time to fully educate myself on how to make those gorgeous polymer beads I see online. It's been two years since and I have yet to pick up those tools. Hopefully, next year? yeah, right! In the meantime, I have the utmost respect for polymer clay artists, knowing the amount of hardwork and skill it takes to create each piece. ;)
BTW, I was able to find what I needed at a shop called Deovir. Here's a link to their website: http://www.deovirarts.com/
It all started with a purchase online. The seller was nice and accomodating, but wasn't able to deliver the goods according to my specifications. Actually did the one thing I specifically said I didn't want. I guess she just doesn't work well with customizations because the other accessory I bought from her was very pretty.
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| Putting sticker paper on it. Really? After I specifically said I didn't want stickers. |
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| This ones a beauty. Bought as a gift for my sister. |
Call me obsessive or controlling but I decided to do it myself. As the old saying goes: If you want something done properly, better do it yourself. So despite time constraints I scoured Manila and Cubao and then coming up empty, turned frustratingly to the net for suppliers. I needed to buy them locally. It was not an easy task. Who knew, with all the polymer products online, that finding the raw material would be so hard?! There was even a store in Cubao whose online store boasted of classes in their actual store, only to find out after waiting an hour for their store to open that the owner doesn't keep to the store schedule they posted online. And to date I have not received an answer to my inquiries I sent her email. Very professional.
So discouraged and feeling like I'd never get this project done on time, I turned back to the net and finally found the store I needed. Again I braved the mall where the store was located. I say braved because the mall isn't known to be a nice one. Yes, in third world countries, some malls are not meant for leisure strolls and window shopping. But the trip was well worth the hassle. Not only do they have the clay, they also have the tools which I totally forgot about in my quest for the clay.
The clay, unlike your usual kid's clay, are hard. So knead like a baker I did. Shaping them and stamping the letters in, I baked them in the oven. And also used the 'tenting' technique I read about to even out the baking. Yes, I followed the instructions I found online to a T. TING! The oven announced that it was done! I eagerly went to get them and ofcourse there were bubbles! What the hell?! But I didn't panic, I came prepared. The artist said that in cases like these I can polish them with sand paper. So polish I did, the small pieces one by one. They were small so it was easier to rub them against the sandpaper instead of rubbing the sand paper on them. Surely you get the difference. So scrub-a-dub-dub I went until I felt a stinging sensation on my index and thumb fingers. Ahh the horrors of making things. I didn't realize I was rubbing my fingers on the sand paper as well and chafed my own skin. It was painful as hell! I was so intent on sanding that I didn't feel my fingers rubbing against the paper.
But I went on with it. Using my left hand, the sanding and polishing was slower but I didn't have much choice. I finished the project and was able to use it for the intended purpose. But after all that I went through, I decided to let my tools rest until I've had time to fully educate myself on how to make those gorgeous polymer beads I see online. It's been two years since and I have yet to pick up those tools. Hopefully, next year? yeah, right! In the meantime, I have the utmost respect for polymer clay artists, knowing the amount of hardwork and skill it takes to create each piece. ;)
BTW, I was able to find what I needed at a shop called Deovir. Here's a link to their website: http://www.deovirarts.com/
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