How to Cover a Mint Tin With Polymer Clay

Polymer clay comes in different colors and patterns. It's chief chemical component is polyvinyl chloride, better known as PVC. The clay mixes colors well and is used like ordinary clay. Covering a mint tin takes little time and is a great starter project.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pasta machine
• Polymer clay
• Dedicated board
• Wax paper
• Mint tin
• Kitchen knife
• Craft utility knife
• Needle
• Oven
• Sandpaper

1. Use a pasta machine set to #2 or #4 to roll the polymer clay. Double up the sheets if you want a thicker cover. The lower pasta setting rolls out thicker clay.
2. Place the flat sheets from the pasta machine onto a dedicated board or wax paper.
3. Position the bottom of the mint tin on the clay and cut around the bottom. Leave enough clay around the tin to fold over the edge. Use a utility knife or sharp kitchen knife.
4. Start at the edge of the mint tin and press the clay onto the surface. Watch for air bubbles in the clay as you move across the tin. Eliminate these by piercing with a needle, and then smoothing the polymer.
5. Cut a line at each corner to fold and press the clay evenly around the sides. Cut off excess clay beyond the sides.
6. Take the mint tin's lid and repeat Steps 3 through 5.
7. Close the lid, and then cut off clay close to the hinges. Smooth the clay and test opening and closing the lid.
8. Bake in the oven according to the polymer clay's directions. Typically, bake the clay at 265 degrees for 30 minutes, and then let it cool.
9. Remove rough spots or fingerprints with wet or dry sandpaper. Use 400, 600 or 800 grit.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase all material at a local arts and crafts shop. Some toy and hobby stores also carry the clay. Atlas and Pasta Queen both make inexpensive pasta machine.
• Altoid mint tins work well. Clean the surface with soap and water to remove any finger oils. A clean tin provides a better sticking surface for the clay.
• Premo polymer clay is the softest and most pliable.
• Avoid working the clay directly on plastic and wood surfaces. The clay can damage those materials. Polymer clay won't damage glass, marble or waxed paper.

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