Make Easy Skinner (Teardrop) Blends with no Pasta Machine

Video #487: It takes a bit longer if you only have an acrylic roller, but the end result is the same. More Info: www.beadsandbea... Polymer Clay Tutor.
Topics Covered In This Video:
* Making beautiful and easy color blends.
* No pasta machine? No problem. All you need is a roller of some sort.
* Teardrop Blends or Skinner Blends are color gradients using more than one color of polymer clay, where the colors gradually shift from one to the next.
* My Teardrop Blend is an easier and faster version of the Skinner Blend.
* Choose 2 or more colors to that you want to work with.
* Softer clay is definitely easier to blend when you are not using a pasta machine.
* Shape balls of clay into pointy teardrop shapes.
* Lay teardrops next to each other in alternating directions.
* Flatten the teardrops into a thin sheet with your rolling tool.
* Fold or roll the sheet, keeping colors aligned in one direction.
* Pushing in the ends of the rolled up blend will keep it from getting too wide.
* Flatten the folded/rolled piece again, until it becomes a flat thin sheet.
* Repeat process until colors are fully blended.
* Related Video: Lietz Teardrop Blend - Color Gradients Made Easy... www.beadsandbea...
* Related Video: Polymer Clay Skinner Blend Instructions... www.beadsandbea...
* Related Video: Stepped Graduated Color Blend - Old School Gradients... www.beadsandbea...
* Q&A... www.beadsandbea...
* Polymer Clay Tutor... "Make what you love... Love what you make."

[@daystardanes]

Thank you Cindy. I have been tutorializing my learning over a couple months and I love your videos. I have gotten frustrated with blends and when you showed how you tuck in the ends, that made a lot of sense. Thanks for helping us all learn...You are so delightful to watch and I love your bubbly personality. Keep up the great work... those of us that watch you really appreciate you.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Thank you very much daystardanes for the kind comments! I really appreciate you saying that! :)

[@daystardanes]

No problem, Cindy... its the truth. Sometimes, we never know when a "sweet answer" turns a heart. Your joy comes through in the way you talk to us. You never know what people are going through and a happy cheerful voice can make all the difference.. :0)

[@PolymerClayTutor]

daystardanes :)

[@jbmothweaver]

Thanks for the great tut! Love all your videos!!

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Hi Brianna Dacosta, you can use blends like these for tons of polymer clay projects, including making canes. If you look through my tutorial playlist, you will see several examples of tutorials where I use a Teardrop Blend in them. kzbin.infovideos?shelf_id=6&sort=dd&tag_id=UCHnfmkZSQzXUcy71-VPtMlQ.3.polymer-clay-tutorials&view=46

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Thank you Little Fat Dragons

[@Garcia9827]

thank you very much.

[@singtuu]

I'm new to polymer clay. I've been trying to slice off layers of thicker clay to form uniform beads. I can't seem to slice without the entire piece of clay sliding on my sheet. Is there a tip or trick to keep the clay in position on the tray as you slice towards yourself?

[@janetroth1604]

how do you make dry clay workable...what needs to be done...thanks Rosie

[@unboundbytiffany]

Help please, every time I use my pasta roller for the skinner blends it gets too wide for the pasta roller (the opposite direction of which I'm rolling it ) is there a way to shrink it down width wise? I'm folding in the other direction so I know to not just fold it. :(

[@PolymerClayTutor]

I have a video for Skinner Blends that are getting to wide. You will want to check that out!

[@unboundbytiffany]

+PolymerClayTutor Thank you, im so grateful you already have videos on the questions I've commented on so far, but it's very difficult for me to find them without even a title to search for, you do have alot of videos ;) would you mind including the video titles or links with your responses please ♡

[@erinalex1033]

Goodness gracious. I thought i had to buy a pasta machine. I was saying to mysef "there has to be another way!!!!" Thank you so much!!!!

[@StudyGlassHealer]

I just discovered today that if I steam the clay over a pot of boiling water it softens quickly and I just dry the moisture off of the clay piece. It works really well to soften a large piece of clay.

[@U.cant.see.me69]

You can also put it in the microwave for a couple seconds! 😊

[@Jglabb]

OMG ! THANK YOU SO MUCH! i can now make my avocado (:

[@locke8847]

🤣

[@renlish]

Don't know why I didn't think of that - I was fretting over not having a pasta machine. A friend sent me one but this was just too obvious. :) Great tip.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Don't have a pasta machine yet and still want to make Skinner Blends? This video shows you how to make a Teardrop Blend with No Pasta Machine... #polymerclaytutorials #teardropblend

[@abhmjtheoneeyedbeader9717]

I am pretty new to Polymer Clay and have just ordered a load of Premo, you need a lot of equipment to go with, so for now I will buy a roller and invest in a pasta machine soon! These tutorials are so helpful to novices like myself, thank you!!

[@lauraburston4222]

I love your designs but your face at 5:34

[@leetau8429]

im new to polymer clay also and the only things i have brought are some blades and varnish, any kind works you dont need sculpy brands. i use skewers,stamps, spoon and cutlery handles with patterns anything with texture. i have a bottle as my rolling pin and pulled apert pens for small circles. just look round your house with clay in mind and im sure u will find some useful things. o also soda cans make cuff templates and bend and u can make cutters easy by cutting the cans into strips,fold/bend to the shapes u want and cellotape them down the join but take care when using them as sometimes they can cut. hope this helps and good luck with your clay journey.

[@leetau8429]

i 4got to say that eyeshadow with a shimmer look contains mica and works well

[@MrsLynxx]

Are you talking about used eye shadow or the stuff you get at dollar store?

[@ItsMissRii]

Interested on how you blend colors and turn them into shapes such as round beads as I don't want my colors to become all one colour. Could you do a tutorial on this?? Love your videos! Hugely helpful for a beginner like myself!

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Riana Bell Thank you... I'll add your suggestion to the box!

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Hi +Sleeping Queen my acrylic rod is 25mm dia. And 25cm length.

[@alexisbarrera3621]

Thank you so much for this totorial it was really useful when I was 5 I started doing polymer clay and I was never able to figure out how to blend thanks

[@donutlover1012]

Wow your so good at this!! You deserve 100,200,300,400,500 subs😄👌🏼

[@babolescreation8609]

u are like mu polymer clay mother , u are really helpful

[@LoveLandforChrist]

Thanks Cindy I do not have a pasta machine So I have fav'd this video....I know I will look at it again. Much love!!!

[@SpecialInterestShow]

These are relaxing to watch

[@MyselfMasked]

thank you so much for these videos! they are extremely helpful! I am a beginner in terms of polymer clay (any clay actually o.O) and your videos are by far the best - easy to understand and follow and loads of good tips! thank you!

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Thank you G Bat ... glad you are enjoying the videos :-)

[@MondoinunditoCreations]

This is awesome, thank you so much for being on youtube!

[@wonder246]

Well thank you very much! I almost lost hope of making blends since I have no pasta machine :)

[@CraftyMints]

Well, YES YES YES, it was helpful!! I love the heart shape polymer clay creations in the back!!! Was it resin?????

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Hi Crafty Mints Good eye! The piece you saw was actually a sample heart from my Faux Batik Tutorial with a coating of Magic Glos UV Resin after it was baked. If you want to see more samples from that paid tutorial, watch this teaser: Polymer Clay Batik Technique (Intro)

[@jocelynmachado8127]

"im gonna do a three color blend...um...BECAUSE I CAN!!!" LOL i laughed so hard even though she probably didnt mean to do that on purpose (; (; (;

[@Makeupppbyruthie]

what can u use this for like in charms not canes

[@drooliab]

THANK YOU! Seriously, I shouldn't have to go through multiple videos to find someone doing this without a machine. "How do I make a color gradient with polymer clay?" "Use a machine!" 😑

[@CalicoEyez65]

Cindy, my favorite part of this technique is that you can use smaller amounts of clay! I have a pasta machine (with a motor) but sometimes a smaller quantity of clay is needed for a project. NO WASTE!!! Big giant YAY!! :)

[@cibiraj1275]

Hello Tutor, your videos are great! learning a lot from you. I am using the same rolling pin and my clay ( Fimo soft ) is getting sticky and gets stuck over the rubber cutting sheet where i am working on. I am a very new learner to polymer clay. i dont think its too soft either, because its not getting stuck to my hand when i am making a ball. What am I doing wrong and how how to correct it ? i need ot make really thin sheets of various colour clay for miniatues and its getting stuck to the rubber sheet when it becomes moderately thin. What to do ? The all purpose flour / placing a paper underneath will help ? Thank you so much :)

[@natashamadden1074]

Yay!!!!! Been wondering if this was possible! Thank you! LOVE your videos!

[@sleepysnailsnack]

Wow. This is so useful. I am not "new" to polymer clay, but I dont expand my techniques. So, I needed a video explaining how to do it. Thank you so much! :)

[@COLORPAPERPRINCESS]

PolymerClayTutor so nice video! i will subscribe :)

[@jounnerstall6209]

Thank you for this easy demo!!!

[@marisadavis8140]

Thankyou so much PolymerClayTutor I have not yet got a pasta machine since I am so new to polymer clay. But tgis has helped me so much with some of your designs and other youtubers designs. Once again THANKYOU !!!!!¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡!!!!!

[@TheLPSTeensies]

OMG Thank you for this video!!! It was so helpful and useful! :D Thank you!!!!!

[@dawsie]

Thank you for sharing at least I know what I was doing was on the ball. :-) I have the pasta machine and I love using it for doing my skinner blends but I have been cheating by rolling my blends and flattening them before putting into the machine back at number one and working my way down the numbers to 9 and then I roll it backup and start all over again I have found that it gives me as you say a faster mix but also I don't end up wasting some of the clay due to it stretching all out of shape in places. I found rolling it backup into a roll and tucking in the ends brings it all back square and I have ended up with a far better blend doing this :-) I love watching your little videos and when I finally can afford it I will be signing up so I can do some of your lessons special the one on the sweet peas :-) as I wanted to,learn this one so,I can adapt it to the Australian Sturt Desert Pea :-) which I know will make a stunning pair of earrings :-) Thank you for all of you time that you do share for free :-) it really does help those of use who are really short on pennies :-) Have a great day :-)

[@Gradkitten10]

Thank you so much for doing this video! It helped alot!

[@nessapainter]

Great tutorial. I've a friend who is just starting to work with polymer and doesn't have a pasta machine. This will be a great help! Thanks.

[@Yargo73]

thanks for sharing! It could be even a way to make a cane for example when you need to use small quantities of clay or for simple caning by hand when pasta-machine in busy with other projects!

[@Microplancakes]

I love this video!! Quick and very helpful!! Thank you!!

[@samanthahuynh2132]

Thank you for this tutorial so much! Subscribed and liked. ^_^

[@hollyishere8935]

Hi +PolymerClayTutor I am just wondering, is your clay naturally shiny like that or do u put something in it to make it shiny? My clay seems to be more a Matte sheen to it but maybe it is just my clay... If you do use something to treat it with to make it shiny what is it and where can I get it? Thx, Hollykatecharms

[@kimjones787]

How thick should the clay be when you're finished blending it and are ready to start making a piece of jewelry, like a pendant and matching earrings? Thank you so much for making this video, I just recently started using polymer clay and resin. My son passed away in December and my granddaughters, my mom, and myself really want Pandora style beads, however I also want the pendant and earrings. Do you have any ideas on the best way to add a straight line around the bead, I've tried rolling the bead through a line of ashes, but it seems to roll the ashes out of the line and ends up covering the width of the bead, after baking it, and cooling I added the resin, by putting the bead on a tooth pick and rolling it through the resin that was in a 2 oz cup, then I left the toothpick resting on the cup to let it dry, which was a really bad idea because the resin actually puddled at the bottom pulling a lot of ashes with it. If you have any suggestions please let me know. I really enjoyed your video and look forward to seeing more. Thank you again, I apologize for changing the subject. Kim

[@lesliegulyas148]

Thank you. I don't have a pasta machine so this was very helpful.

[@SuperDivatude]

OKay so I love using this polymer clay to give my crochet hooks a handle/grip. if i use this blending method, how big/thick a piece of clay would i need?

[@gracie7206]

Where did you get the mat you work on? I have the Sculpey mat but I'm looking for something bigger.

[@lisaskillman5515]

Hi, I was wondering if you can give me some advice. I made a pendant using polymer clay, to match the colour of my skirt, only to discover, after I had baked it, the colour changed and didn't match, so can you tell me please, did I do something wrong?, or does it depend on the brand of clay. as to whether it keeps its colour, after you bake it?

[@abbydekker678]

I did a gradient of pink to yellow to lime, but I was halfway through when I noticed that I put it in the order yellow to lime to pink. And the lime and pink just made brown. Oops.

[@susielemin3546]

Warn otrhers not to make the same mistake that I did. I don"t have a pasta machine and loved the tear drop and roller. I used 1/4th of a 2oz bloce and ened up with sore sholders and mud. Too much clay and no machine was a good learning experance

[@caragimenez6614]

Oh i love you...i watched your other video and got frustrated bec. i dont have pasta machine, then i saw this

[@SabrinaHawk]

How do you keep the end play of clay from ending up long and skinny instead of yours where’s it’s a similar size to what you started . I tucked the ends in each roll up. I did end up with a lovely blend either wat

[@hellohellohihey2280]

I like navy blue. . . U

[@WhiteFoxStopmotion]

Wow! I literally can't believe how easy that was! Thank you for another fantastic tutorial. I am new to your channel, but I'm definitely subscribing! :)

[@bonniefaltz9505]

You are one of my go to tutors for techniques and I love this teardrop idea. Works well for me. thanks for sharing. BTW, hope you will be making more videos soon.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Yes more videos will be coming :)

[@courtneylemly2571]

Would this have the same effect just using Fondant for a cake??

[@Carpooltunnel2]

I did this without a pasta machine in the first place cause I don't have one but I also didn't have any polymer clay so I used play dough lol

[@momofmanda]

Camera angle is getting your arm more than the clay....

[@inaya4888]

I was wondering if there is anyway to make your own polymer clay rather than buy it as it is super expensive where I live.

[@yelloworangered]

Very clever. Thank you for this video.

[@lanceleichtle7829]

Cindy you just gave me a new idea I've ben wanting to make skinner blend

[@johnnycollinson3529]

Brill thanx,for some reason I struggle with the skinner blend, have never been able to make a decent one.

[@CraigsOverijse]

Thanks very useful if as me you just want to do a single project not take up the hobby lovely as it is

[@polymerclayinspired7248]

Best way to do polymer clay skinner blends

[@pjshat]

Great video! Thank you!

[@janettegarcia26]

What setting should I use on my pasta machine

[@theartisticpotato2467]

Idk her real name but she gives me like those vibes that her name is like Diane

[@SpecialInterestShow]

What kind of pasta machine do you use?

[@freshcreation1]

Omg thank you so much !!!!!

[@jenniferramsey6130]

Was really struggling with Skinner Blend with pasta machine, Being a beginner it gave me a headache. This process really helped me learn the technique and once mastered I will try again with pasta machine. Wish I had seen this tutorial before I started :-) Thank you.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

You are so very welcome! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with me. It means a lot. Enjoy this crazy polymer clay journey... it's a fun ride! :)

[@r.a.m8821]

I got one. How can one revive old fimo clay?

[@saltae_asian9227]

Omg... you gave us the finger....

[@carolinas6614]

Thank you for sharing this!!

[@spookarinox0]

Thank you for this ;0;

[@joynd]

Great video! Thanks!

[@moniqaf]

Thank you. Just what I needed

[@briannadacosta7240]

What can you use these blends to make

[@chilkakanika1456]

Thank you so much for this

[@Angelikasowul]

Love the video :) Thank You

[@sleepingqueen1952]

how many mm is your acrylic rod

[@shiralichtman]

I like your earrings!!

[@dragicazupancic6293]

Thank you for sharing ☺

[@jokemartien]

Thanks for sharing;-)

[@abiramikrishnan4468]

Hi Cindy! I love ur tutorials! Just 1 favor... Can u please make a peacock feather tutorial? That would be great! Thx! =D

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Hi Abirami Krishnan I have a very beautiful Peacock Feather Cane Tutorial if you are interested in buying it. Here is the link : www.beadvideos.com/back-issues-02/vol-037/ (You have to watch the preview video to see samples of the cane, in the tutorial.)

[@botzees]

I would really like to see a demonstration on making and applying abalone to a project. I have been searching for a KZbin demo but nothing much turns up. This is such a fascinating art form. Thanks.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Donald Anderson I have a tutorial on making a Faux Abalone Cuff Bracelet if it might help you. Here is the link: www.beadvideos.com/back-issues-03/vol-065/

[@dralbertpakin8895]

Can you do a video on different things you can do with polymer clay? I'm running out of ideas, I've done earrings, necklaces, key chains, coasters, wine charms etc.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Here are a few off the top of my head... vases, boxes, fairy doors, pens, sculptures, purses, wall hangings, paintings, light switch covers, dolls, incense burners, doll food, door knobs, Christmas ornaments... I can't imagine running out of things to make with polymer clay. But yes, as soon as I get back to filming on KZbin again, I will be adding tons more things you can do with polymer clay!

[@200ENAV]

Hi Cindy, i love your channel and it has been helpful for me, i'd like to ask you, if i have a wooden roller and i don't want the clay to stick to it as i'm rolling, can i maybe brush some glaze on it? Will it be smoother and won't stick? I'm using triple thick glaze. Thank you so much!

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Hi Einav Galil thank you for your comment. I don't think that glazing your roller will work very well. I think a glaze like Triple Thick will still stick to the clay and it might even flake off into your clay. Of course you could always test it, but it might not be worth it. Cornstarch on your roller, would probably work better, but you would find this type of roller will do a much better job for you: Essential Polymer Clay Tools - Acrylic Roller

[@chilkakanika1456]

Thank you for this

[@larainejohnson8105]

I've done that before

[@zaileyfernandez3009]

oh I tried it amazing

[@sandrahenry3050]

Thank You Cindy teaching my Granddaughters 9 & 7 how to blend clay. great video. thanks for sharing. Sandy

[@TheEMC99]

Thanks! I don't have a machine and I don't think I can afford to buy one at the moment. A lot of the reviews for the more affordable one seems to hit both ends of the spectrum so I guess I'll need the more expensive ones at some point. This video was a great help. Thank you!

[@jenniferahough4983]

Erin Carter I have a really cheap basic pasta machine for my clay as I upgraded the one in my kitchen. But to be honest I've found they both work pretty much the same. Not found any problem with either of them. Try looking on ebay/amazon etc for a cheap 2nd hand one. Have fun whatever you're doing with clay :-)

[@emylie10]

what do you do with it?

[@stellagirl7625]

Wow! I'm glad I found you. Nicely done tutorial!! Thank you, I'll be back!!!

[@-tricia-channel3429]

ha. mini toot

[@MegaAnezia]

I have pasta machine, but I use it only for tagliatelle, for the skinner blend I use a empty vine bottle!

[@PolymerClayTutor]

LOL

[@genevievesuzi1549]

I love this! I have a pasta machine for my clay but when my husband is sleeping I can't get it out so through the day I just use your technique! Thank you ☺️✌️ much love from Tennessee

[@Sopisacat]

Thanks for this video. I am just getting into polymer clay & don't want to get a pasta machine just yet. But I do love the look of the skinner blends. So, pretty. Thanks again.

[@rocket7770]

thank you so much, I've only just started experimenting with polymer clay, and so far I've only made handles for my crochet hooks. but I've really been envious of all the amazing skinner blends I've seen (there's no way I can afford a pasta roller in the near future) and now I can give it a go by hand :)

[@elovien]

THANK YOU i loved the video its was very informative, i am a newb at polymere clay and you showed me how to do a blend in a simple and understandable way.. and i really like your personality and voice.. you have a new subscriber right here. Cheers :)

[@melissalee3645]

Thanks! This was so helpful! Before I was panicking that I didn't have a pasta machine.

[@chelseapeterson35]

Why tear drop shape?... Could it not be rectingle shaped ?

[@abbynormal4740]

+Chelsea Peterson I think teardrop/triangles allow different colors to blend into each other better to create a more subtle gradient in less time. With rectangles, you'd get some blending between the 2 colors at each seam, but no mixing of all the colors. Great if you want stripes, but not a true Skinner Blend : )

[@angelinaboni1223]

That's so helpful, I usually end up with brown sludge but I will give this method a try and maybe I will master the technique at last! Beautifully demonstrated, thank you.