A new addiction

**BoomerangInfo** · 19th November 2009, 04:52 PM

OK well I've done it, made my first Polymer Clay pen. Quite happy with the results. It was made with generic Polymer Clay from the $2 shop and has a fairly matte finish. I wanted a Christmas theme, and also wanted to do as little finishing as possible out of the oven.

This pen was sanded on the ends to straighten out any PC hanging over, then Micromesh'd and polished with Brasso. No turning was involved. It's a little proud of the kit and slightly out of round at the nib end, and rounded down a little at the cap end. But considering that's from hand rolling, I'm reanably happy. Next one I'll take the gouge to and see what happens. When my wife first picked it up, her comment was "bit bumpy!"

This was actually my second tube. I mucked up the first one by running white through the never been used Pasta machine, and it came out with black streaks from the mechanism. Tried yellow instead to make a candy cane type blank, but didn't like the end result, so I didn't finish it.

So. The mind boggles at the possibilities. Technique needs some work, and I need some decent clay. It takes longer to do than resin (and wood, but everything is longer than wood) but there's no messy gluing involved at least. The ability to make exactly what you want as opposed to mixing and hoping with resin makes up for it I feel.

And if you do it economically (there is quite a bit of "wastage" of the clay initially) the actually clay needed for a Sierra blank weighed in at about 3 grams, which comes in at about 15 cents

Of course the fact I used up all my white and a couple other sticks means the actual cost if you don't reuse the waste was more like 53 cents, but who's counting?

I've got Ebay clay on the way, and more from the US. It's great being able to do most of the work comfortably in the house, and just having to go down the shed to do the final finishing, which is a 10 minutes job.

Stay tuned (once I get more clay) for more Polymer Clay goodness

Russell.

**wheelinround** · 19th November 2009, 04:55 PM

I can see Tea Lady getting on this act making Clay pens to match her Tea cups n saucers

Looks very Christmas like with those colours

**Rum Pig** · 19th November 2009, 04:58 PM

Looks good and Christmas

But my addiction needs more lathe time

Well done I do like the look

**corbs** · 19th November 2009, 08:42 PM

Nice first try, have seen some pretty impressive ones around (not locally) so will be interested to see how things progress for you Russell

**tea lady** · 19th November 2009, 09:31 PM

Very interesting.

**BlankBrain** · 19th November 2009, 09:55 PM

That is really unique! There is a guy on Paradise that did one recently (Papaturner) I will be heading to the hobby shop tomorrow, for sure. Gotta try this. Thanks for posting!

**artme** · 19th November 2009, 10:04 PM

Great post Boomer. Thanks for all the detail.

Not a bad pen either.

Often wondered about that stuphph. How will it stand up to rough treatment? Perhaps a few drop tests are in order.

**gawdelpus** · 19th November 2009, 11:59 PM

Good stuff Russell

I am already over-extended with projects hehe,so may give this a miss for a while ,certainly sounds like it has great possabilties though , cheers ~ John

**BoomerangInfo** · 20th November 2009, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by artme

Great post Boomer. Thanks for all the detail.

Not a bad pen either.

Often wondered about that stuphph. How will it stand up to rough treatment? Perhaps a few drop tests are in order.

This one or another of my early attempts will be a test pen just for that. I'd been interested about 6 months ago, but saw a few posts about problems with long term durability. Howvere some more research and discussion seems to indicate that may be from imporper curing or using the wrong type of clay more than anything. Those that do them regularly on IAP seem to report they are fine. Time till tell.

Russell.

**peterpiper** · 20th November 2009, 06:59 AM

Local craft shop will be getting a visit this weekend, will be great for using in the house over winter, better than a cold garage!!
pete

**tea lady** · 20th November 2009, 08:36 AM

Might benefit from a finish of some sort. Polymer clay can get a bit grubby from handling I think.

CA?

**munruben** · 21st November 2009, 09:06 PM

I like it.

**rhossack** · 22nd November 2009, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by BlankBrain

That is really unique! There is a guy on Paradise that did one recently (Papaturner) I will be heading to the hobby shop tomorrow, for sure. Gotta try this. Thanks for posting!

Ed ... head to Michael's instead with the 40%-50% coupons they have weekly ... where I've been taking the wife all week for 'specials'

**artme** · 22nd November 2009, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by rhossack

Ed ... head to Michael's instead with the 40%-50% coupons they have weekly ... where I've been taking the wife all week for 'specials'

Some peolpe are just too witty!

**Ligget** · 22nd November 2009, 05:37 AM

Looking good, I like turning polymer clay it turns like butter!

Mark

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