Tool Tips

You don't necessarily need to shell out a bunch of cash for polymer clay tools. In fact, you may already own some good tools and not even realize it. Maybe they're hiding in a sewing basket? Needles for poking small holes are very useful, and crochet hooks or knitting needles can be used for blending. Have you checked the kitchen? Maybe you have a spare rolling pin that can be used instead of a pasta machine, or a dull knife for adding little wrinkles and creases to your sculptures, or a scrubbing pad for texture effects. Before you run out to the art supply store, take a good look around your house first-- you just never know what you'll find.

Maybe you've searched all over your house and local craft store for that one perfect tool, but you just can't find what you need. Is it something you can make yourself? Whittling down a bit of wood might be just the thing, or perhaps it's something you can make from the clay itself. There are online tutorials out there that can show you how to do exactly that.

But remember: Once a polymer clay tool, always a polymer clay tool. If you were using that knife to add the finishing touches to your latest creation, it shouldn't go back to the kitchen.

While some of the best polymer clay tools are often inexpensive (or free!), it's best not to cheap out on paintbrushes. If you're going to get paintbrushes at all, make sure they're reasonably good quality, even if you only intend to use them for clear glazes. The reason is because cheap paintbrushes can shed, and picking little stray hairs out of wet stuff isn't much fun. Also, the bristles can splay out in different directions, which can quickly ruin a paint job.