Homemade Polymer Clay (that is not Polymer Clay)

This picture, from Curbly, inspired me to look up homemade polymer clay recipes. There is debate on which is ‘better’ and from what I gather that depends on what you are trying to make.  This appeals to my crafty, must-create-something tendencies.

Recipes found include:

Cold Porcelain Clay:

• 1. Combine in a Teflon-coated pot:

1 cup polyvinyl acetate glue such as Elmer’s Glue All 1 cup cornstarch 2 tablespoons Vaseline oil (not jelly) – if unavailable where you live, substitute baby oil or pharmaceutical grade mineral oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

• 2. Cook on low heat stirring constantly for 10 minutes or until dough forms and begins to come away from the sides. If you have a gas stove, you may need to use a heat diffuser under the pot to avoid burning the dough.
• 3. Remove from heat and allow to cool until you can handle it.
• 4. Knead into a smooth clay consistency.
• 5. Store in a cool, dark place at noted in tips above.
• 6. Tempura powder or acrylic paints may be used for coloring the dough.

 

Hmm. I do not have vaseline oil – where do you find that?  Ok, on to Victorian Salt clay; now these ingredients I do have:

Cornstarch modeling clays containing salt are the most porous, so are only suitable for craft projects that have a rough or rustic finish.

• 1. Mix 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan.
• 2. Mix 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup ice water in a bowl.
• 3. Stirring constantly, heat salt combination over a low flame for about 4 minutes. Do not boil. If you have a gas stove, you may need to use a heat diffuser under the pot to avoid burning the dough.
• 4. Remove from heat. Quickly stir in the cornstarch and water. If mixture is too thin, return to low heat and stir constantly until of clay consistency.
• 5. Store in a cool, dark place at noted in tips above.
• 6. Tempura powder or acrylic paints may be used for coloring the dough.

There is also a recipe for Pasta Francesa, which is very popular in Latin American countries – it includes formaldehyde as an optional ingredient. This link will take you to all three recipes.

Marie, of Art from my Heart, creates with ploymer clay – can you shed some light on this?

In other news, we are in blizzard conditions at the moment.  Word has it that in the next county up, if you are on the road in anything other than a 4WD, you will be ticketed.

Stay warm!