Things You'll Need:
- Wire and wood tools
- Wipe out tool
- Loop tool
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Step 1
Use 5- or 6-inch wire and wood tools to create fine shapes in your modeling clay. Each of these tools will have a wire head that has a specific shape. To use these tools you will want to gently scoop or scrape the wire head across the area of your modeling clay that you want to shape or remove clay from.
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Step 2
Remove medium-sized pieces of clay from your piece using an 8-inch wire and wood shaping tool. These tools look just like the 5- and 6-inch wire and wood tools--they are just bigger. To use these tools you will scrape, pinch or scoop out unneeded pieces of clay.
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Step 3
Smooth your modeling clay shape using a wipe out tool. This tool has a semi-flexible rubber tip that is used to smooth and blend modeling clay. To use this tool, simply place it on the area of your modeling clay that you want to smooth or blend, apply gentle pressure and brush the rubber tip over the area. Use it just like an artist's blending stick.
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Step 4
Shape the walls of your modeling clay piece using a loop tool. You can use this tool two different ways: use it to scrape thin layers of the clay from the clay wall (this will thin out your clay piece); or use it with a pottery wheel. As your clay spins on the whee,l place the tool on the outside of the clay wall and place your hand on the inside of the piece. Apply pressure with your hand as the tool scrapes and shapes the outside wall.
