Guide to Modeling with Plastic Molds
Polymer clay, Victorian salt clay, cornstarch modeling and cold porcelain clay are only a few types of clay that work well with plastic molds. Plastic molds are useful for creating texture, adding dimension and creating uniform designs on clay.
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Using Push Molds
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Plastic molds come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Push molds, also called extruder molds, are used for creating shapes by pushing clay through a shaped die. This mold is similar in appearance to a cookie press, and can be used to make star-shaped designs as well as flower designs with ease.
Texture Sheets and Stamps
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A texture sheet mold is another type of mold that is widely used. To use a texture sheet, simply lay it against the clay's surface and press it into the surface with an acrylic roller. Texture sheets can be used in conjunction with a pasta machine.
Rubber stamps are similar to texture sheets; however, designs are pressed into the clay by applying the stamp mold to the top of the clay and depressing it into the clay by hand. Rubber stamps make a relief design in the clay.
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Curing the Sticking Problem
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To prevent clay from sticking to your molds, apply a small dusting of cornstarch to the mold before use, or lightly spritz the mold with water. Bendable molds can be placed in a freezer for easy clay removal, and silicone molds can be baked with the clay project for ease of removal.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit wood beads, colored beads image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
