How-To Desk

Dear wonderful visitors,
I wish to extend my sincerest thanks to those who've taken the time to email me about my site and humblest apologies to those I haven't replied to. Sadly, I simply haven't been able to handle the volume. I deeply appreciate your enthusiasm and kind thoughts and will happily continue to express my appreciation by adding more to my 'how-to's and galleries for you.
Desiree

   Polymer Clay Projects & Techniques

Polymer Clay Tools


Bead Baking Tools

Three simple tools I use to help bake those polymer clay beads.

Bead Drilling Jig

With a Dremel, its drill press, and a simple jig, see how it's an ideal setup for drilling into lentil shaped beads.

 

Bead Roller - Handmade

See my handmade clay bead roller.

Better Dremel Buff Wheel

Practical, simple instructions on how to make a felt polyester wheel, ideal for buffing polymer clay.

Better Dremel Mandrel

Practical, simple instructions on how to make a customized Dremel spindle that holds more than one buffing wheel.

Buffing Basics (new)

Bewildered by whats and hows of buffing polymer clay? Step inside for an introduction.

Giant Extruder

Use a giant clay extruder for polymer clay fun.

Koil Kutter

A visual supplemental guide to using a Koil Kutter to make jump rings.

Narrowing a Pasta Machine's Width (new)

Want a skinny Skinner blend? See how to make your own simple jig to narrow a pasta machine's width.

Pasta Machine - Basic Use

Ever wonder how to use your pasta machine properly? Well, for polymer clay, not pasta, for goodness sake!

Pasta Machine - Basic Care

How your pasta machine can discolor clay and instructions on how to quickly disassemble your machine to reduce discolorations and streaks.

Pasta Machine - Extreme Care

How to completely disassemble both sides for cleaning, lubricating and adjusting. (For serious pasta machine mechanics ;-)

Pasta Machine - Trattorina Care

How to disassemble for cleaning and lubricating. Also tips on how to remove those heavy noodle rollers. (For master pasta machine mechanics ;-)

PhotoEZ Stencil Making

Clear and complete instructions on how to make your own wonderful stencils using a photo-sensitive material called PhotoEZ.

PhotoEZ Stencil Use

Got some PhotoEz stencils but don't know how to use them and treat them right?

Sanding with a Mouse

Adapting this nifty orbital sander to wet sand (sort of) polymer clay surfaces.

Thwock Sanding Lentil Beads

Attach a mini suction cup to a drill and super-sand your lentil in seconds!

Tumble Buffing Polymer Clay Beads

How I use white denim to tumble buff polymer clay beads to a satin finish.

Tumble Sanding with River Rocks

How I use rocks to tumble sand (abrade) polymer clay beads.

Tumble Sanding with Sandpaper

How I used to use sandpaper to tumble sand (abrade) polymer clay beads.

Tumbler Liner for a Lortone

Those black rubber tumblers staining your polymer clay beads? Read how I solved that problem.

Tumblers and Polymer Clay

Most tumblers are for rock tumbling. Using them for polymer clay may be a little different.

Tumbling Media

Most tumblers are for rock tumbling. Using them for polymer clay may be a little different.


Last update to this page: 4 Jan 08. Send comments, questions or suggestions to Desiree McCrorey.