February 2002
Volume 3, Issue 2 		Beginners' Corner
by Deborah Hayes

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Editor's Letter | Letters to the Editor | Beginners' Corner | Questions and Answers | Finding Findings | Variations on a Theme | Spaghetti Mokume Gane | Medieval Brooch | Issues in the Crafting World |
Submission Guidelines | Advertising Information | Email Us! | Home 		This month, we welcome Sheila to the world of polymer clay. Sheila has several questions.

1. What is the best way to clean the pasta machine with each change of color?

You can use baby wipes. They work very well for hand cleaning, wiping up the work surface, cleaning off tools, and even cleaning the rollers of your pasta machine. If you can find a wipe with alcohol, even better. I use wipes without alcohol, but drop some alcohol on my wipes before using them on the machine. That way, I have alcohol for the extra cleaning on the pasta machine's steel, but don't have the alcohol drying my hands.
2. Sculpey clay is brittle, but can be mixed with Fimo and Premo for better strength...correct?

Yes, that would strengthen Sculpey III, as would mixing it with Cernit, which is also a very strong clay when cured. Mixing clays will impart properties of each clay into the finished product. I have heard that using about a 60-40 proportion of one of the stronger clays to Sculpey III is the way to go. Mixing clays is also a very good way to custom design your own colors.

3. I'm very limited to clay in my town, so I am limited to mostly on-line ordering, any company you would suggest?

I would suggest Polymer Clay Express, Wee Folk, the Clay Factory of Escondido , or Clay Alley. There are also other craft companies online, and some with paper catalogs, as well. If you run a web search for polymer clay sales, you will have plenty of sources!

4. What magazine for "projects" would be good to start out with?

You're in the right place here! You can access past issues and find projects for making just about anything! On the web, Polymer Clay Central has all kinds of projects and tutorials, as does Polymer Clay Haven. There are also mini lessons available at Polymer Clay Express. These are just a few of the more popular sites. I would suggest a Google search for polymer clay projects. Be sure to take plenty of time, because there are HOURS of reading ahead of you!

Also, many of the craft magazines are now offering polymer clay projects. One is Jewelry Crafts, and another is Bead and Button.

Inspiration can come from many sources; one of my favorites is the Carol Duvall Show at HGTV. This link will take you to her list of projects for each week. Polymer clay projects are abundant there.

5. I hope I have the right e-mail address for this question :)

Sure enough! That's why we're here! If you are new to polymer clay, or have questions at any time, I would love to hear from you. E-mail me anytime at beginners@pcpolyzine.com.

Thanks, Sheila, for writing! So—on to Spring!

Deb