Have you ever tried to capture the delicate patterns of lace on polymer clay, only to be disappointed in the poor quality of the impression? Maybe the lace was too delicate or you ended up with lace fibers clogged with clay and a rough impression.
Here's a way to reinforce delicate laces and minimize the thread lines of thicker laces. Applying several layers of craft glue will make delicate lace impressions bolder. It can also fill in the areas between threads in thicker laces, giving you a smoother impression. It is also possible to trim most of the connecting threads in laces, giving an airier look to the impressions.
The next time you want to capture the intricacies of lace for one of your polymer clay projects try this:
MATERIALS:
a piece of lace
water soluble, flexible craft glue like Aileen's
a 1/3 to 1/2 inch medium firm artist's brush
a small container for mixing
a small amount of water
a popsicle stick or plastic spoon for mixing
a sheet of waxed paper or silicone coated parchment to use as a work surface
1. Lay your piece of lace flat on the paper work surface.
2. Estimate the amount of glue you will need to coat the lace on one surface only. Put this amount of glue into the small container.
3. Add 1/3 that same amount of water to the glue in the container. (3 parts glue to 1 part water)
4. Mix well with the popsicle stick.
5. Use the artist's brush to coat the lace with the glue and water mixture.
6. When the lace is completely coated on one side; make sure it is soaked into the fibers of thicker laces, lift the piece of lace up and reposition it on a clean and dry area of your paper work surface.
7. Let it dry completely.
8. Wash the brush, mixing container and spoon.
9. Turn the lace over and repeat the process on the other side.
This works best if you put at least 3 or 4 coats of the glue and water mixture on each side of the lace. It isn't an exact science. Put as many coats as you feel necessary to reinforce very thin lace and/or minimize fiber lines on thicker laces or achieve the results you want. Be careful to let each application of the glue and water mixture dry completely. Don't over brush and remove the previous application of the glue mixture when applying additional coats.
You should now have a piece of lace that can go through your pasta machine easier , because it is now flexible instead of floppy plus, very thin, delicate laces are now reinforced, thicker and will make a better impression.
A brushed on coat of glycerin makes a great mold release on the lace.
Happy claying,
Ardie
Here's a way to reinforce delicate laces and minimize the thread lines of thicker laces. Applying several layers of craft glue will make delicate lace impressions bolder. It can also fill in the areas between threads in thicker laces, giving you a smoother impression. It is also possible to trim most of the connecting threads in laces, giving an airier look to the impressions.
The next time you want to capture the intricacies of lace for one of your polymer clay projects try this:
MATERIALS:
a piece of lace
water soluble, flexible craft glue like Aileen's
a 1/3 to 1/2 inch medium firm artist's brush
a small container for mixing
a small amount of water
a popsicle stick or plastic spoon for mixing
a sheet of waxed paper or silicone coated parchment to use as a work surface
1. Lay your piece of lace flat on the paper work surface.
2. Estimate the amount of glue you will need to coat the lace on one surface only. Put this amount of glue into the small container.
3. Add 1/3 that same amount of water to the glue in the container. (3 parts glue to 1 part water)
4. Mix well with the popsicle stick.
5. Use the artist's brush to coat the lace with the glue and water mixture.
6. When the lace is completely coated on one side; make sure it is soaked into the fibers of thicker laces, lift the piece of lace up and reposition it on a clean and dry area of your paper work surface.
7. Let it dry completely.
8. Wash the brush, mixing container and spoon.
9. Turn the lace over and repeat the process on the other side.
This works best if you put at least 3 or 4 coats of the glue and water mixture on each side of the lace. It isn't an exact science. Put as many coats as you feel necessary to reinforce very thin lace and/or minimize fiber lines on thicker laces or achieve the results you want. Be careful to let each application of the glue and water mixture dry completely. Don't over brush and remove the previous application of the glue mixture when applying additional coats.
You should now have a piece of lace that can go through your pasta machine easier , because it is now flexible instead of floppy plus, very thin, delicate laces are now reinforced, thicker and will make a better impression.
A brushed on coat of glycerin makes a great mold release on the lace.
Happy claying,
Ardie
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