Free Tutorial How To Condition Kato Polymer Clay Slice Technique
Published On: 01-12-2012 01:25pm
Comments: 4 - Hits: 1873
Category: Crafty Tutorials
This is a free tutorial on How To Condition Kato Polymer Clay with Slice Technique.
Kato PolyClay is among the highest praised polymer clay brands in the industry because of its ability to maintain its shape while being sliced. That property makes Kato Clay the perfect clay for canes. However, it's also well known that Kato Clay being the hardest to condition. It's often crumbly and takes a long time to work it into a pliable state. On the recent news though, I've heard that Kato Clay has changed its polymer clay formula to be easier to condition.
If you still get the old formula that's rather hard to work harden or an old polymer clay that's been sitting for a while, here is a technique developed by Donna Kato that's often used to help you condition Kato polymer clay.
2. Take your Kato clay out from the wrapper as much as you need.
3. Slice it about 1/8 inch thick and overlay it on top of each other like pictured.
4. Roll the clay with a rolling pin to flatten it
(make sure your rolling pin is free from debris and clay left over before you do this).
5. To lift off the clay from the surface, run your tissue blade underneath the clay against the surface. Never lift them off by hands only as you'll most likely tear the clay apart.
6. Cut the clay horizontally in several pieces and repeat step 3 to 5 several times until the clay is more pliable and not crumbly anymore.
7. If you have a pasta machine, move on to roll the clay in the widest settings.
8. Fold or tear in half and insert the folded area first into the pasta machine to avoid trapped air bubbles and roll again. Repeat this step until your clay is perfectly conditioned.
9. How do you know if your polymer clay is perfectly conditioned? Perfectly conditioned clay will not crack or break when you fold them in half.
I hope this helps.
Check on my upcoming tutorial on how to make Polymer Clay Ribbon pendants like Orange Marigold Flower Pendant.
A great source to polymer clay tips and techniques for serious beginners to advanced artisans:
Glass Attic - Polymer Clay Encyclopedia
Kato PolyClay is among the highest praised polymer clay brands in the industry because of its ability to maintain its shape while being sliced. That property makes Kato Clay the perfect clay for canes. However, it's also well known that Kato Clay being the hardest to condition. It's often crumbly and takes a long time to work it into a pliable state. On the recent news though, I've heard that Kato Clay has changed its polymer clay formula to be easier to condition.
If you still get the old formula that's rather hard to work harden or an old polymer clay that's been sitting for a while, here is a technique developed by Donna Kato that's often used to help you condition Kato polymer clay.
The Slice Technique
1. Clean your hands, work area, and tools from grime and dirt with wet wipes, preferably one that's lint free. Or wash your hands with soap and dry it with a lint free cloth.2. Take your Kato clay out from the wrapper as much as you need.
3. Slice it about 1/8 inch thick and overlay it on top of each other like pictured.
4. Roll the clay with a rolling pin to flatten it
(make sure your rolling pin is free from debris and clay left over before you do this).
5. To lift off the clay from the surface, run your tissue blade underneath the clay against the surface. Never lift them off by hands only as you'll most likely tear the clay apart.
6. Cut the clay horizontally in several pieces and repeat step 3 to 5 several times until the clay is more pliable and not crumbly anymore.
7. If you have a pasta machine, move on to roll the clay in the widest settings.
8. Fold or tear in half and insert the folded area first into the pasta machine to avoid trapped air bubbles and roll again. Repeat this step until your clay is perfectly conditioned.
9. How do you know if your polymer clay is perfectly conditioned? Perfectly conditioned clay will not crack or break when you fold them in half.
I hope this helps.
Check on my upcoming tutorial on how to make Polymer Clay Ribbon pendants like Orange Marigold Flower Pendant.
A great source to polymer clay tips and techniques for serious beginners to advanced artisans:
Glass Attic - Polymer Clay Encyclopedia
Reader's Comments
By popnicute on 01/12/2012 @ 02:13pm
Oh, I love their metallic colors too! I also like to brush a little pearl powder for extra shine :) Thanks, Diane.
By Catcophony on 01/12/2012 @ 02:01pm
This is a great tutorial. I love the colors Kato clay has--especially the metallic ones. But it is a very stiff clay and conventional conditioning is difficulty at best. By slicing it and rolling first, the conditioning process goes so much smoother. Thanks Kharisma! Diane, Catcophony Wearable Art Member, The Artisan Group
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By CreativeCritters on 01/12/2012 @ 03:45pm
This is an excellent tutorial! I actually figured out this process on my own when working with Fimo, which can also be difficult to condition sometimes. -Michelle of CreativeCritters