Making and Covering a Polymer Clay Pen from Scratch

[@angelahopson9604]

Thank you for a very clear and easy to follow and understand tutorial. So many expect that we already have experience. But for those of us who are just starting out. Having those first tutorials to show us everything helps us to better understand what we are doing.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am very glad it was helpful, thanks so much, and have fun on your clay journey 🙂

[@missmeadowjewelry6216]

That rose was so effortless. You really are the GOAT of polymer clay

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you ;)

[@desireemarana4997]

I’ve watched just about every tutorial on making pen covers. This one is the best! ( no surprise there!) IMHO😊

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much :)

[@desireemarana4997]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals thank you! The time you dedicate to these tutorials I’m sure is a chunk of your day! I’m sure I speak for all when I say we appreciate you

[@lesleywarner499]

You make me smile - I watch completely perplexed thinking to myself how can this work and then something beautiful emerges. I’m nearly hooked 😀

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

awwww, thank you so much :)

[@loreleihash]

Thank you VERY much for this tutorial and all that you do for your fellow polymer clay artists. Your channel is by far my favorite. 💜

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Awwww, thank you so much, I am so glad you enjoy the videos :)

[@penelopepennington3838]

Thank You …it’s lovely!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I'm so glad you like it, thank you 🙂

[@penelopepennington3838]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals fantastic! I want to make loads🤣🙏

[@runawaybead]

Awesome ❤️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much 🙂

[@gerilynne1955]

When you sliced the flower after you got done getting all the petals together. All I could say was "oh wow!" That's so beautiful. Thanks for showing us.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

so glad you enjoyed that, thank you :)

[@christinebartleson3838]

Very nice, thank you so much. I am so glad that I watched the entire video. I was going to make one for my daughter and I thought that you just pull the ink part out and leave the plastic. I am very new to canes and love making them. After I finish I will send you what I have come up with. Thank you again, you are a fantastic artist ❤️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Christine, have fun with it :)

[@Dosbomber]

Not what I was looking for, but couldn't stop watching. Beautiful pen!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much :)

[@shopping2scale]

Your an amazing artist, I was so mesmerized by your talent, I would like to try your method on hooks when I get a moment to play. thank you very much for sharing

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Oh yes, it will work fabulously on hooks, have fun and enjoy :)

[@GlendaMcCallum]

Absolutely awesome video you teach amazingly…..how long did you bake each layer for at what temperature please many thanks

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Glad you liked it 🙂 As I normally say in my videos, bake the clay according to the manufacturers instructions for the brand of clay you are using. That is because of course I don't know whcih brand the viewers may be using, I use FIMO Soft which says it should be baked at 110 degrees, Sculpey Premo is 130 degrees, Kato is 150 degrees for example 😉 I do however generally bake mine at a slightly, just a few degrees, higher than said, and I do bake for longer, so about an hour per bake. That way I know that the clay will be properly cured. You can bake for as long as you like, as that will not hurt the clay, but don't go too high on the temperature as the clay will burn or miscolour. That is why I always tent my tile/clay work, in foil when I bake/cure. I hope that helps 🙂

[@BritKnits]

You are amazing. I am totally New and basically have been watching videos for the past three months to figure out which techniques to try. I can see this might be one of my firsts! Thank you you are both creative and generous. Brit in Texas!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

That makes me so happy to hear, thank you. Definitely give it a go, you will have such fun :)

[@dunerose7996]

What an amazing video tutorial!!! Just what I was looking for to make Roses! Thank you very much!!!! 🥰🙏

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You are welcome, I am glad you liked it :)

[@artiejohnson703]

Thanks for sharing this beautiful pen cover. I love the roses, so beautiful. ❤️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Artie :)

[@lisablatcher7314]

This is a a game changer. Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

So happy it was helpful, thanks Lisa :)

[@marilynabbott4978]

I'm very new to polymer clay work, ( waiting for my first delivery of clay) and I love the idea of making a pen. You have explained each step so clearly that I feel confident enough to try it as my first project. Fingers crossed that I will be able to get the knitting needle out. Thank you for your video.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks so much Marilyn, and I will keep my fingers crossed for you :)

[@liletteautrey8481]

Stunning Fiona, I really enjoyed watching you making this beautiful pen. Well done! Bravo

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks so much Lilette :)

[@anitadavidson1249]

Fiona, fabulous video filled with extremely clear, concise instructions. It never occurred to me to simply make my own casing rather than worry whether I've bought a suitable pen, so thank you for that! As for that rose cane, simply beautiful... I shy away from making canes at my current skill level, but when I do make one, I will make sure you know all about it, and have the photo to match! xx

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Anita, and your current skill level, as you put it, is just fine, so don't put yourself down, and yes, I would love to see you do some roses !! :)

[@bonniefaltz9505]

Ingenious solution for loosing the outer cover of the pen to heat. Amazing how the rose cane came together; looking a bit messy but turning out so beautiful! Beautiful finish to the pen!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Bonnie :)

[@boats1993]

An A++ tutorial and a great inspiration to get to work. Fantastic! Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you very much :)

[@CPC-Wanda]

I am truly amazed!! You have single handedly made me understand how to make this. I've been a year trying to make one but it always didn't look like I really wanted it to. Thank you so much!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Wanda, you have made my morning, I am so glad to have been of some help

[@HolyJonsonhi]

I love and respected these hands 👐 .

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thank you so much Holy Jonson :)

[@lizrichardson3309]

Thank you Fiona. Lovely clear demo and it is nice to see the rose cane tutorial as a bonus!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Liz :)

[@rebekahaurie6252]

Thanks very much!😊🕶

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You're welcome, thank you :)

[@johng0908]

Oh my goodness,I think KZbin analytics are tracking me. I've been looking at how to cover pens with polymer clay, the last few days, and then this video of yours popped up tonight. Fantastic tutorial! Thanks for posting.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

yes, that happens to me all the time, it's spooky isn't it when that happens. So glad you enjoyed the video though, thanks John :)

[@gatanegracreations]

Wonderful tips all the way through! Thank you for this great tutorial Fiona!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thank you for such a lovely comment Amy :)

[@lordofchaos-t2e]

Great idea! I did make your rose cane from your older video and it came out really nice! Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

So pleased it came out well for you, thank you Monika :)

[@ronieGirl327]

that was amazing. thank you for showing us how to make our own pen casing! thank you thank you thank you.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You are very welcome, I am very happy it was of some use. Thank you :)

[@EllenJB]

I got the pasta machine, it's a 2010 model, and I love it! Thanks so much for the links below. I found it on Ebay for a good price, and it looks brand new.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Wonderful :)

[@EllenJB]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals The seller is MCC_2005, if anyone is interested in getting one; I think if you contact this shop, they'd probably help you get one. They were very pleasant to work with.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@EllenJB Good to know, thank you, I can point people to your comment if they ask in future :)

[@bonniekonjevich7574]

I want a crochet hook cover. Doubtful mine will look like this but the layering is key ,so enlightening. Thank You X 1,000++++++

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Bonnie, and yes, a crochet hook looks wonderful veneered in polymer clay, have fun :)

[@Uniquely-You]

I can’t wait to do this! Your the best teacher, really!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so ,much Tatum :)

[@Uniquely-You]

I really think your great! I just did a skinner blend for the rose. Also tried kaleidoscope like you instructed for my first time. Let’s just say I have to watch that video a few times! ❤️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@Uniquely-You Thank you so much Tatum, and yes, the great thing about having the videos there, is you can watch them as many times as you want. Don't forget as well, we are all our own worst critics, so something you may think didn't go as well as you hoped, to anyone else will look simply amazing !! have fun :)

[@Uniquely-You]

Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals yes mam I know that’s all the truth... thank you for sharing your talents.

[@eileenmaschal9505]

Such an enjoyable tutorial, I learned so much. Your pens are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your talent.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Eileen :)

[@dawsie]

I too found the same problem of finding the right pens that I could bake onto, like you I worked out that the nib is all I needed 😊 then as I had the Lucy extruder I was able to make my tubes this was using the Sculpy insert that helps to make hollow tubes which they had a 4mm insert to create the hollow in the tube. Because of this it allowed me to use a disc that could give me the same shape as the BIC pens 😸 I love how you made the Rose it has been the best tutorial on making the Rose and so simple 🙀😸and the finally reduction of the Rose was great you used the imperfections a plus for the finally rose and it looked far more natural at the end.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Angela, yes I didn't have an extruder when I first started, but that would be even better still :)

[@dawsie]

Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals lol I love the extruder saved up and bought the Lucy one as I had bought the walnut one but I wore it out within 6 months of buying it 😳 the Lucy has lived up to is branding now I’m saving up for the Lucy extra large pasta/polymer clay machine 😹

[@marionmathews9852]

I’ve really enjoyed this tutorial. You have another new subscriber! I’ve only been doing polymer clay about 4 months, and I’ve just recently started covering pens. I love the rose cane and will certainly give this a try. TFS.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Marion, so glad you enjoyed it :)

[@carrie7209]

That's such a good idea! Lovely video, thank you, Fiona.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Caroline :)

[@lizhummer1280]

Another great video! Thank you! I am much more of a geometrical person than floral, but I love how your rose cane turned out and you explained the process of making the cane so well that I think I need to try a rose cane! Maybe I’ll become a flowery girl yet!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Liz, and go for it, if you are not happy with it, just turn it into a geometric shape ;) xx

[@JIC7146]

Absolutely beautiful work wow I wouldn't have thought of that I enjoy watching your tutorials keep up the good work:)

[@kristibbradshaw]

I love the raised edges. Is that wrong????

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

No of course not, you can make yours however you like 🙂

[@nikkinikki4403]

Amazing. What a great tutor 🇬🇧

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Nikki Nikki :)

[@Dawnybros]

That is lovely and something I will definitely do as soon as I am able. Thank you for a lovely clear tutorial :)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Dawn :)

[@silverguardiancreations2014]

Thanks for the video I have pushed some slim line pen kits from Amazon can't til I can cover the barrels. Liked the rose cane

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@helenjoy6316]

Really inspiring, thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Helen :)

[@marystoddard9138]

Very nice video. Have made a few pens,but used the pen casings. Tried to make the rose but it didn’t go well. With this video will try again. I love the rose. Thanks

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Mary, I hope this time the rose works perfectly for you :)

[@RameyRocks]

Wow 😲 that’s beautiful Fiona! You have a new subber now. You made that cane look so easy! I would love to make this. It’s been a long while since I covered a pen. And I’ve never made one like that. I’ve made very few canes because they never seem to turn out. I love your voice too, by the way.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much :) I hope you have a go at the cane, and wish you every success xx

[@lalagamma4452]

Beautiful and excellent tutorial Fiona!! So smart! XO❤XO💘XO❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@denisettm4958]

This video had some great tips! Thank you for sharing.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Denise :)

[@marqitvalyoue311]

Absolutely loved your video. I’m now a subscriber ❤️💕

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much MarQit :)

[@stineke3021]

Great idea!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks you :)

[@sherryscreativeniche1858]

Fantastic video! Thank you very much!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Sherry :)

[@lilaalabed2527]

So pretty! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Lila :)

[@runawaybead]

So beautiful ❤️🌹

[@louoliver4885]

This was great. Thank you so much from us Texas galls.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You are very welcome :) Thanks so much Lou :)

[@TinTeddyVideos]

Thank you very much, that was fascinating.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you so much :)

[@mlisaacs4514]

Beautiful!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@shyamalaganesh2792]

Love the tutorial

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@melissamiew4056]

Need to make one of these for my diamond painting pens.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Sounds great :)

[@Shutupredditnarrator]

Can we refill the ink .like when refill is finished and to change one

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Yes :) Generally with this type of pen you can buy refills :) Just have a search around, or of course, buy more of the original pens, and just remove the inside :)

[@Shutupredditnarrator]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals Thankyou . Yess .I will try this .

[@runawaybead]

It seems like it would be easier to add the design to the skinner blend before adding it to the pen

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You can of course do that, and with other deisgns I have and will do that, but for this one, where I wanted an even spacing of the flower heads and petals around the whole pen, you won't get the same effect if you create the veneer first. 🙂

[@caroleades5827]

Thanks so much for this tutorial amazing

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You are welcome, thanks Carol :)

[@delabud8978]

Brilliant!! Is it possible to make a cover as well for the pen for people who would keep them in their bags so they dont leak?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Not as such, although you could have a go at engineering one ;) When I used to sell them, I made hand made felt pen pouches for people to store them in, but it was a bit labour intensive, which is why I would only make these now for personal, home use etc. If I want to sell pens, then I use the retractable pen kits, such as in my Covering Pens Tutorial on my Etsy Site, PolyOriginals :)

[@millieo.5325]

Love it! Thank you!!! 😊💗

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Millie :)

[@aishamohammed7406]

Really nice beautiful peace of art thanks Can I ask how long you can keep the remaining of the can before it gets dry🌹🌹🌹

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Hi Aisha, the cane doesn't 'dry' as such, as it needs to be baked to become cured. So if you keep it out of the sun, away from dust and stored in a suitable container, it can last for months/years. We keep the canes large, before we need to use them, so that when you need to use it again, making it smaller, helps to re-condition and vitalise the clay. I hope that helps :)

[@rachele7398]

Awesome work. Is there a particular reason you used a different method to add the designs then what you used on the eggs (cutting out the one layer) like, can you use both ways to add stuff?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

This is an easier way, but you have less control over how the top layer of clay will spread. It makes it a good technique for any design which has a 'natural' motif (flowers and leaves) as any spread can give a different look to each petal, flower and leaf. It is also good for beginners, and is a quick method. Inlaying is time consuming and much more complex, but gives a more controlled finish, and is good for complex designs. I hope that helps, and yes, you can absolutely use both ways on the same piece to get the effect you want :)

[@ivonepereira4806]

Do you always have to sand a pen or can you avoid this process? Thanks 😊

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

No, you never have to sand polymer clay, it is a choice :) I like the way it looks and feels so that is why I do it, but many people leave it unsanded :)

[@ivonepereira4806]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals thanks 😊

[@scrapraquelnavas2059]

Como se hace la tapa del bolígrafo

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

La parte interior del bolígrafo proviene de un bolígrafo comprado en una tienda, donde se puede quitar la parte interior. Lo uso como guía para el tamaño y luego hago la carcasa exterior a su alrededor. No tiene una tapa para cubrirlo, pero a la mayoría de la gente no le importa eso. Solía verlos con un estuche de fieltro hecho a mano para proteger el bolígrafo 😉🙂

[@jenniferlawson3847]

Love this idea! What did you use to sand & polish the pen?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Jen, I use wet/dry sandpaper, 240, 600, 1000, 1500 and 2000 grit, then polish on a buffing wheel using a unbound cotton polishing mop :)

[@jenniferlawson3847]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals Thank you!

[@spicybeantofu]

I really wanna try to make the roses.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Great, just go for it, and have lots of fun :)

[@jokemartien]

Oh thats nice!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@stephanieschaefer3037]

I am just getting started with polymer clay, and I absolutely LOVE your tutorials. I would like to try a pen, but I have some questions. These seem like the finished product would be very thick. How thin could you make the blank skinner blend to create a slightly thinner finished product?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Stephanie :) You could go much thinner if you wish, and also go thinner with the inside barrel. You can make a skinner blend really thin if you wish, just take it down one setting at a time on the pasta machine and experiment, till you find a thickness that gives you the finish that you need. I go thicker in this sort of project as it is easier when you do the first one, and I also know people with arthritis in their hands often find a thicker pen easier to use so I try to have some thicker barrelled pens in my stock for them to use. :)

[@rickilieberman2136]

Where can I buy your pens? So beautiful. Thick for arthritic hands but I hold it down low by the one placer so it has to be light and short., Because I hold it so low. Do you understand? I want to. Order if you still sell. Ricki 💙💎💙💎💙💎💙💎

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Ricki :) Sadly I do not have any for sale, and I do not make them to sell these days, sorry :(

[@jackierespass9774]

I have made several pens using your technique. I must confess to having terrible trouble getting the center piece off the needle to bake without destroying it. Any further advice?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Try baking it on the bigger needle, although you then have the problem getting it off after baking. This is what I used to do - With an oven glove on, try and twist it gently off when it is still fairly warm, but please protect your hands. I also used, (when I first started doing them and still baked them on the big needle, and hadn't moved them onto the smaller one), a little block of hardwood with a little indent in. I put the point of the needle in that so it was secured, then pulled down hard, again wearing an oven glove, till it started moving, then I could usually get it off. I hope that helps a bit. The way I show in the video is better, but this older way may be useful for you :)

[@johannapearse1709]

Love the way you make your pens as I haven't been able to find the one someone recommended. I was going to try putting a few in the oven then came across your tutorial and like this idea better. Problem is that I find that there is a little gap all the way around the knitting needle where the nib will be. How do I stop that?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Johanna, is the gap in the finished, decorated top layer? In which case, just before you bake it, after taking the knitting needle out, pop your pen insert into the raw clay, and press it gently to fit the pen. Then very, very gently twist the pen out, without distorting the clay, and after baking, you should have a perfect fit. Hope that makes sense? That should solve any gapping problems.

[@charlottemc2391]

Ive tried this but my clay is sticking to the needle for the first part. What can i do it wont twist off without clay getting ruined

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

That's a difficult one, as it is a knack that takes practice, when I first started I baked them on the knitting needles, but they are difficult to get off, I used pliers to hold the end of the needle, and rubber gloves to twist the clay, and it worked, but it was hard, and it ruined my needles, which is why I don't do that in this tutorial. But possibly that may be an option for you? You could also try adding a 'release' agent onto the needle, bake in situ, and then the clay should slide off. Kato Polyclay do a Repel Gel, that stops the clay sticking to what you have added it to, that may be of use, I hope at least some of that was helpful?

[@charlottemc2391]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals we dont have kato products in New Zealand that i have seen. Are there any other alternatives?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@charlottemc2391 No, not that I know of. You could try coating the needles in cornstarch/cornflour, that may help.- Oooh just had an idea, wrap a layer of paper around the needle, sticky tape it tight, add the clay. Bake on the needle, then when cool the paper should pull off the needle. If it is difficult to remove from inside the clay, soak in a bowl of water and gently pull the paper away with tweezers. that may well work!! Fingers crossed 😉🙂

[@marjimiller3985]

Wow!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Marji :)

[@lornasaner1130]

The purple color shifted? Or was the finished pen made previously?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Well spotted Lorna, no the colour didn't shift, this was a finished pen I had made earlier with a slightly different coloured rose :) This was one of my early videos, when I didn't have an editing suite, and did the whole video in one take. I didn't have time to sit and wait for it to bake, so had to have one ready to show :)

[@mickruhdorf9916]

hi did the roses change colour when they baked or am i going blinder lol

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Hi Mick, no you are not going blind, but I was using the one I had made earlier, and already sanded and polished as an example at that point, so you are indeed right, the roses had changed colour because it was a different pen ;) Sorry for any confusion :)

[@ohlacoquette]

*Bravo 👌🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽*

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Merci :)

[@EllenJB]

I think I know what my daughter is getting for Valentine's Day! This is lovely, Fiona. Also, I wanted to ask, what kind of pasta machine do you have?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so glad you liked it Ellen :) The pasta machine I use is an Atlas machine, at home I use the 180 (a wider machine) and when travelling or on workshops, I use the 150. I have always used the Atlas machines and I find them very good for Polymer Clay. However, there are other very good makes, such as the Imperia machines, and of course those made specifically for use with Polymer Clay. Ginger Davis Allman, from The Blue Bottle Tree has a number of articles on Pasta Machines - thebluebottletree.com/?s=pasta+machines which may prove helpful in choosing a machine. Here is a link to an Atlas machine, (for reference only, as obviously there are many other places both online, and in stores where they can be found), and it is worth searching around till you can find a good deal on one. I hope that is of some help. www.amazon.com/Marcato-8320-Machine-Cutter-Instructions/dp/B0009U5OSO/ref=sr_1_3?crid=BPH5K7P26RQT&keywords=atlas+pasta+machine&qid=1556786279&s=gateway&sprefix=atlas+pasta+machine%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-3 I hope that helps :)

[@EllenJB]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals Sorry this took so long; I didn't check off to get notifications in email. Silly me. Well, I just found one on EBay that I made an offer on. I have a cheap little machine that is driving me to drink; anything thinner than setting 4 just sticks to the rollers and goes around and around. I'm waiting for some smart person to invent a machine with silicone-coated rollers. Addendum: I started a pen cover, and finished the inner lining part. All the while I was doing it, I was thinking, "Fiona's brilliant! It's so simple." I carefully inserted the pen cartridge to make sure the fit was secure, before I baked it. My husband is really impressed! Thank you for all your wonderful ideas, and your beautiful imagination. The world is a bit more beautiful with you here. God bless.

[@MadebyaBEAutifulqueenBea]

That was SUPER AWESOME!! Now I REALLY want to learn how to play with clay. Lol. (Do I have my Joann's coupon?)🤔 lol 💙🐝💙

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks so much :)

[@craftylittlerthings]

Love this. Where can I get a huge bottle of liquid clay like you were using. I’m in the Uk. Thank you for your tutorials x

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks Ann :) There are loads of places in the UK to get the Liquid Clay from, either the Sculpey one, or the Fimo equivalent. Try searching online, as various websites stock it but some are cheaper than others, and some charge P&P etc, However, as a general go to, Penny Vingoe of www.clayaround.com generally has everything you need for polymer clay in the UK. I hope that helps? :)

[@craftylittlerthings]

Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals Thank you very much, I’m off now to go look on the site you advised.

[@lisavigus-brown8247]

Why can't the first clay that went on be the colour one? Don't all the layers make it a "fat" pen which is uncomfortable to hold?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Give it a try Lisa :) I found it easier doing it this way. You may be surprised to know that a 'fat' pen is particularly comfortable for anyone who has arthritic hands. The fat ones were always my best sellers because of this.

[@lucinda2329]

❤️ ~✿~❧~🌿~❧~✿~ ❤️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you :)

[@Soletv]

Very nice but i used a bic pen!

[@kimber5929]

I followed a tutorial whereby you put the clay on the plastic pen shell. Guess what? It shrank and cracked my clay. 😂 will do it your way rather ❤️

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Hi Kim, sorry I was trying to find your earlier comment to respond, but it wouldn't show it to me :( I was going to ask if you used a polymer inside, that way it shouldn't crack or shrink at all. I hope that is now working okay for you with the polymer insert, and that you have no more problems :)

[@cesarleylim]

I just stop to see at what temperature she bake and she completely left it out a very good piece of information This is useless for me

[@nelliekeating440]

My polymer clay keeps sticking to my needle, and no matter how gentle I try to be, it gets completely mangled by the time I can get it off. Should I just try baking it in there and prying it away? Should I oil the needle a bit? Anyone have advice?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You can try baking it on the needle, however it is VERY hard to get off. To do so, (and I am using a metal knitting needle, not plastic) while it is still warm, almost too warm to touch, but not burning, get an double, or two oven gloves and very gently twist the clay and see if you can release it from the needle. You will then need to have something to rest the point of the needle on, a stack of paper or something like that, so that you can pull the clay down to the bottom of the needle, once it starts moving you can normally then slip it off. The other thing I would suggest is the repel gel from Kato, which as it suggests, stops clay sticking to itself, but may (and I haven't tried this, so am not certain) stop it sticking to the needle too. I hope that's of some help? :)

[@nelliekeating440]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals Thank you so much! I kept mangling the blanks, room temp or burning hot, so I tried putting the clay on the needle in the freezer for about 20 minutes, which firmed it up enough to get it off before baking - not perfect, but effective. Your videos are a great inspiration to me (and my 10 year old son who has started making rose canes!) 🥰

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@nelliekeating440 using the freezer is a great idea Nellie, I hadn't thought of that, so glad it works, so glad you are both enjoying polymer clay too. thanks so much for letting me know about the freezer method, good to know for future use :)