- Use a pasta machine in your polymer clay projects - Kate Pullen
Make embellishments for card making and scrapbooking projects with polymer clay. One of the benefits of working with polymer clay is that very little in the way of special tools are required and most people will have the basics at home. Once a crafter has progressed past the basics then one or two additional tools can be worth investing in. One of these is a pasta machine. A standard domestic quality pasta machine is suitable for using with polymer clay. This will help you produce flat sheets of polymer clay which are useful for using in a wide range of projects.
Using a Pasta Machine
A pasta machine is a useful polymer clay tool and can be used in many ways. Use a pasta machine to condition polymer clay and to roll even, flat sheets of polymer clay. A pasta machine can also be used in with different decorative polymer clay techniques. All brands of polymer clay can be fed through a pasta machine, including Fimo and Sculpey.
Polymer clay is fed into the pasta machine which squashes the clay between two rollers and produces a flat sheet. Most pasta makers can be adjusted to bring the rollers closer together or move them further apart. This controls the thickness of the sheets of pasta. The ways that a pasta machine can be used include:
Conditioning polymer clay
A pasta maker can take a lot of the hard work out of conditioning polymer clay. The action of running the polymer clay through the pasta machine several times produces more malleable and soft polymer clay. As a rough rule, it is best to work with the rollers further apart when conditioning polymer clay. When the clay is fully conditioned it can be rolled through the pasta machine on the finer settings.
Flat sheets
One of the most basic ways of using a pasta machine is to create even, flat sheets of polymer clay. This can also be achieved through rolling with a hand rolling pin, however it is quicker with a pasta machine.
Colour blending
A popular method of blending colors of polymer clay is using a pasta machine to create Skinner blends. This technique creates a sheet of polymer clay that graduates from one color to another. A pasta machine can also be used to mix colors and this will dramatically extend the pallette of colors that can be obtained from a few blocks of polymer clay.
Decorative
A pasta machine is often used to create decorative results. Run a piece of lace or another textured surface through the pasta machine with a piece of polymer clay to imprint the surface. A pasta machine is also useful for producing different elements to use in polymer clay millefiori techniques.
Type of Pasta Maker
Any type of pasta machine is suitable for using with polymer clay. When considering buying a pasta machine there are a few things to consider:
- A pasta machine should be dedicated to polymer clay and craft work. Once used for polymer clay, a pasta machine should not be used for food preparation.
- Most polymer clay artists will only use the basic pasta rollers. Therefore top-of-the-range pasta machines that offer a lot of additional extras, for instance ravioli cutters, may have additional equipment that is not used.
- Very cheap or light weight pasta machines are unlikely to stand up to a lot of hard use. While cheap pasta machines may seem like a bargain, they may only work on well conditioned polymer clay.
- Used and second-hand pasta machines can be a great option.
Tips for Using a Pasta Machine with Polymer Clay
Here are some tips for getting the most from a pasta machine:
- Do not get the pasta machine wet. This may cause it to rust. To clean a pasta machine run thin paper towels through the machine to remove any debris.
- Polymer clay will not deteriorate when it is rolled through a pasta machine. Therefore it can be a good idea to roll larger quantities and store what isn't required in polythene. This will provide a useful supply of ready rolled sheets for use when time is short.
- Very hard pieces of polymer clay may damage the pasta machine. It may be necessary to work these by hand first before feeding it into the pasta machine.
While it is not an essential tool, a pasta machine can certainly make life a lot easier, and will open up the opportunity for a wide range of different polymer clay techniques and projects.
Further Reading:
How to Make Polymer Clay Buttons
Kate Pullen - Kate Pullen is a freelance writer specializing in arts and crafts , and is an accomplished craftsperson. As well as being a designer / ...
