How to Use Polymer Clay for Mosaics
Mosaics are identified by their ability to transform individual pieces of painted clay into a beautiful picture. Mosaics are often created using broken pieces of ceramic plates or colored glass, but can also be created using basic craft materials, such as polymer clay. Polymer clay is a soft, plasticine-like clay that can be purchased at any arts and crafts supply store and baked right in a standard oven. This allows polymer clay mosaics to be both convenient and efficient.
Things You'll Need
- Rolling pin
- Clay knife
- Cookie tray
- Acrylic paint
- 2 paintbrushes
- Acrylic glaze
Instructions
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Roll out 1 lb. of polymer clay using a rolling pin to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Select any color of polymer clay.
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Cut the sheet of clay into different tiles. Make the pieces as large or as small as you prefer. Cut out uniform pieces that are each the same sizes, or cut out pieces of varying sizes.
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Arrange the cut-out tiles of clay onto an aluminum cookie tray, and bake the sheet in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Allow the clay pieces to cool for 30 minutes.
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4
Paint one side of each clay tiles using colorful acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry for 20 minutes. If the paint appears too thin on the tiles, paint on a second layer of acrylic paint then allow it to dry for an additional 20 minutes.
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5
Cover the paint on each tile using clear acrylic glaze. The glaze will prevent the paint from rubbing or chipping off, and will give the tiles a shiny appearance. This will make the tiles look like they are created from ceramic clay. Allow the tiles to dry for 30 minutes before using them for your mosaics project.
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Tips & Warnings
Polymer clay will be very hot when it comes out of the oven.
Keep hot clay out of the reach of children until it is completely cool.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
