Polymer Clay Tips - Why Aren't My Stripes Like Her Stripes?

"Clay around" with award-winning mixed media artist Lisa Pavelka as she shares her stripe-making techniques. Here's what she's using to make her striped loaf:
• Shop FIMO® Polymer Clay - www.firemountaingems.com/itemd...
• Shop Poly-Roller Machine - www.firemountaingems.com/itemd...
• Shop Clay Blades - www.firemountaingems.com/itemd...
• Shop for all your jewelry-making supplies at www.firemountaingems.com

[@sage9836]

My stripes are about to be great, and the tips are so simple and effective. Also, great teaching style.

[@klcwarchitect]

Thanks for the tip on using paper in the roller.

[@mellie2189]

Thanks for the tips.Very useful!

[@FireMountainGems]

Our pleasure!

[@carmensol34]

Love all the tips! I have learn so much from you Lisa! Thank you

[@FireMountainGems]

Isn't she just fab?!

[@carmensol34]

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads , yes it is! Thank you

[@orihsenak]

Great tips! Thank you.

[@FireMountainGems]

It's our pleasure, Shanta!

[@jenniperkins4260]

Your tips are Golden thank you

[@FireMountainGems]

So nice of you to let us know that. Thank you for watching!

[@Jen_TheSnail]

Hi! Great vid!

[@yaver999]

Great Tips!!

[@FireMountainGems]

Glad it was helpful!

[@starvingartist1000]

THANK you!

[@FireMountainGems]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching!!

[@melisashahin]

Ive been afraid of stripes and this is so helpful !!!!!

[@FireMountainGems]

We're glad to hear that. Thanks for watching!

[@carlarandall1811]

Good tips! Now I know how to do zebra stripes. :-) Lisa has such a pleasant timbre to her voice, very nice to listen to.

[@FireMountainGems]

So glad you enjoyed this video and thank you for the lovely compliment. We'll be sure she sees this :D

[@FireMountainGems]

That's great! Yes we agree, Lisa has a very easy-going presentation style.

[@brigittemolina7754]

hi I love the videos from the channel. I have a question I dont know why ones I start working the polymer clay it starts getting sticky on my fingers is there any thing I can do for that? thanks for all the info on your videos is amazing.

[@FireMountainGems]

Hi Bianka. It sounds like the clay may be over conditioned. We have a couple videos on our channel that might be helpful in regards to conditioning the clay. They are here: fmg.co/9glBrm and here: fmg.co/unfrA6. If you feel that's not the issue, then using some hand lotion would prevent the sticking of the clay on your fingers. Hope that helps!

[@LisaPavelka]

Clay tends to do this. Baby wipes help to remove residue periodically when handling clay. Hand sanitizer can help remove this as well. Clean hands thoroughly after use with soap and water. I like to use a little pumice based, waterless hand cleaner before to really remove residue followed by soap and water. Happy claying!

[@danacrouch5173]

What mind of polimar do you use for a lace style of mould that can be snapped later

[@FireMountainGems]

Hi there Dana, can you explain what you mean by snapped later?

[@keechawoof4427]

Is there a pasta machine that has that setting too?

[@FireMountainGems]

Hi there, I'm not quite sure what you mean by "that setting too," but Lisa is using a standard poly-roller, which is actually a pasta machine, but made specifically for the craft industry. You can find this machine here at Fire Mountain Gems: bit.ly/2mbxxrX. Hope this helps!

[@christalscott956]

I'm a newbie to polymer clay and I do not understand two things one how much Clay did you use for each project that you made 2 the thickest setting to the thinnest setting on your pasta machine I have not been able to find with that meaning is numbers and things on my pasta machine it's a little confusing can you please explain thank you

[@FireMountainGems]

Lisa says, at 3.23 that she started with half a bar of black and half a bar of white clay to make the stripes. For your pasta machine (since machines vary, as Lisa mentions above), your best bet is to experiment with scrap clay. Make as many blobs as you have numbered settings. Run one blob through each setting, so you have a template of thicknesses. Then label your new sheets according to the setting they went through and you'll have a convenient chart to reference until you internalize what each setting is.

[@christalscott956]

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads thank you love the video, has been very helpful

[@LisaPavelka]

Hi Christal. All machines have different settings some only have 5, others have 7 - 10. Each one is numbered on the dial. On some machines the largest (thickest) setting is the number 0 or 1. On others, it an be 7 or 9. Look down directly over your rollers to see which is the largest size when you dial the adjustment knob back and forth and then remember which number is your "largest" setting. Since the width on all machines varies (even on the same brand machine), keep in mind that recommended thickness is a suggestion. You have to use your judgement to determine the desired thickness.

[@donnarichey144]

Is that pasta machine clamped to your counter?

[@FireMountainGems]

Yes, the rollers that we offer include a table clamp to secure the machine to your work table. Here's a link to them: fmg.co/IfNtaw

[@Marysiewert]

What happens if there is air in between?

[@Marysiewert]

valley

[@FireMountainGems]

Running the clay through the pasta machine pushes the air out.

[@LisaPavelka]

Trapped air will create visible air bubbles on the surface of your clay after baking Mary. A definite no-no.

[@maggiem4734]

HELP!! I have some FIMO Professional Play that is not that old to me. When I opened the package, it was very hard. So I sliced it so that I could condition it and it literally crumbled. It would not stick together in anyway. I tried using a hairdryer to soften it, and that didn’t work somewhat, but is soon as it cools off it got crumbly again. I added some translucent clay and it turned it to a goopy mess, and it was still a crumbly texture. I’m at my wits end! 🤦🏼‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[@FireMountainGems]

Hi there Maggie. You might try adding a bit of Fimo clay softener: fmg.co/RwY4H0 and then condition the clay. Since polymer clays are oil-based, you might also try just a dab of baby oil on your finger tips to work into the clay. Try working a little clay at a time with either of these methods. Here's also a great Ask the Experts from our website that might help: fmg.co/MLP0zC I hope that helps.