How to Use Polymer Clay Push Molds
Once molded and hardened in an oven, polymer clay shapes can become detailed and durable accents for jewelry, handmade greeting cards and home decor projects. Plastic "push molds" will help you make the dimensional embellishments out of polymer clay--an artist's medium that combines polyvinyl chloride particles with a plasticizer to create versatile clay sold at art supply and craft stores. Use the proper tools and technique to ensure your clay shapes have eye-catching detail and dimension.
Things You'll Need
- Scrap paper or newspapers
- Push mold
- Corn starch, baby powder or flour
- Paintbrush
- Polymer clay
- Plastic knife
- Oven
Instructions
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1
Prepare your work surface by covering it with scrap paper or newspapers to protect the table from clay or powder residue.
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2
Dust the push mold shape that you wish to use with a light layer of corn starch, baby powder or flour, using a paintbrush. Tap the mold upside down to remove the excess powder.
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3
Determine the amount of polymer clay you will need to fill the push mold by using a plastic knife to slice a portion from the block of clay. Cut a piece that appears to be the same width as the push mold.
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4
Knead the clay in your hands to warm and soften it. When the clay is soft and pliable, press it into the mold. Fill the mold's shape completely and flatten the top of the clay so it is flush with top of the mold. Use the knife or your fingertips to remove any clay that hangs over the edge of the mold.
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5
Remove the clay from the mold with your fingertips.
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6
Create the actual clay shape by re-dusting the mold with a layer of corn starch, baby powder or flour. Tap the mold to remove the excess powder.
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7
Roll the clay into a smooth ball between your palms. Press the clay into the mold, flattening the top with your fingertips and pressing down gently to ensure the clay reaches into the crevices of the mold's design.
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8
Insert your fingernail or the tip of the plastic knife between the edge of the mold and the clay to lift the shape carefully out of the mold.
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9
Harden the shape by baking it in an oven. Most brands of polymer clay--such as Fimo, Jonco, Sculpey III, Formello and Premo--harden in a 275-degree F oven for 20 minutes.
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Tips & Warnings
If the polymer clay will not come out of the mold cleanly, remove all the clay from the mold and add additional corn starch, baby powder or flour to the surface of the mold. Press the clay into the mold and flatten the top. Press a second piece of clay onto the mold, use it as a "handle" to lift the shape out of the mold and then peel it from the clay shape.
Bake polymer clay in a well-ventilated area since it will emit strong fumes.
If you bake polymer clay in your kitchen oven, let the oven cool and wash the inside thoroughly to remove any traces of the clay residue that can release fumes when you use the oven later.
