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Imagination is all you need, along with findings from
around the home plus many of the materials from this
web site. Newspaper and wall paper paste make excellent papier mâché
as does paper pulp combined with CMC (Methyl Cellulose)
paste or Silk Paper Medium.
This Newclay Dragon was made by 11 year old Liam
Farlow
Newclay
is a nylon reinforced modelling clay which can be left
to air dry, offering satisfactory results, or fired
in a kiln at 1000°C-1250°C. The nylon content
helps to reduce brittleness and increase strength.
The modelling clay can be used to make models, embellishments
such as beads and for making blocks for printing. The
dry clay can be painted with any paint and the Dragon
model above was painted with Jacquard
Lumiere acrylic paints.
Larger models can be made by scrunching up paper to
use as a former and covering with clay. This will make
models lighter once they have dried. If the clay begins
to dry out while it is being modelled, the surface can
be dampened with a sponge and components of a model
(such as ears and arms) can be added by wetting the
modelling clay with water and smoothing the joint together.
If pieces do not stay adhered, PVA glue offers an adequate
solution. Dry Newclay models can also be glued to other
surfaces with PVA, making it ideal for decorating box
lids or even book covers.
Modroc offers a robust, permanent modelling medium. It is a
gauze strip impregnated with a special resin based plaster.
A superb product for creating three dimensional work.
Models can be created by adding Modroc in layers over
a wire framework, mold or former. While wet the surface
can be textured or embellished with fibres such as Angelina,
skeleton leaves, silk, cotton or wool tops. It also
has the capacity for fine detail and can be easily reworked
when wet. Once dry, it is hard wearing, rock hard and
lightweight.
 Polymer clay is a highly versatile modelling material
that can be hardened by baking in the home oven. Once
baked it is permanent and can be cut, sawn, glued,
painted and more. It is available in every colour of the
rainbow and lends itself well to jewellery making, doll
making, miniature model making.
This tiny giraffe was fashioned from polymer clay by
Sophie Scanlon.
The magical medium of
Art Clay Silver clay consists
of finely ground pure silver mixed with non-toxic
binders and water. Presented as an off-white putty, this
malleable clay can be easily worked into unique and
personalised jewellery or ornaments. Items can be made
as thin as 1mm thick. Once fired, the binders burn away
leaving pure, 99.9% silver which can be hallmarked
‘.999’.
 The
firing process
is remarkably simple and can be achieved with the
minimum of cost. Small pieces of Art Clay Silver can be
fired easily on a wire mesh laid across a gas hob or the
pieces can be fired using a blow torch and a fibre
brick. Kiln firing is also an option and allows more
than one piece to be fired at a time. |