tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25192680661981140832024-02-22T02:30:21.405-08:00polyclayologyAn exploration in advanced polymer clay methodologytokensbeads.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728854207309250895noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519268066198114083.post-38416529761879244282007-07-20T14:00:00.000-07:002007-07-20T11:29:29.733-07:00Do's and Don'ts of Polymer Clay<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is my non-exhaustive, alphabetized list of <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Polymer Clay Do's and Don'ts:</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">~ * ~ * ~ Do's</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">~ * ~ * ~</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Adapt it</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Add it</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Admire it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Affix it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anchor it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Angle it</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Antique it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Applique it</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Apply it</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Attach it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Auction it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bake it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bead it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Beat it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bend it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Blend it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Block it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Blog about it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Boil it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bounce it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Box it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Braid it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Break it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Brush it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Buff it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Build it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Buy it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Calculate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Campaign for it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cane it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cap it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Carry it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Carve it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Catch it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Categorize it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Chat about it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Chop it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Coil it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Collect it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Color it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Condition it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Confetti it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Conform it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Contort it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Coordinate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Copy it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cover it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Crack it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Crackle it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Craft it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Crochet it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Crumble it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cube it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cure it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Curl it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cut it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Decorate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Deform it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Deliver it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Design it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Develop it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dice it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dip it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dismantle it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Display it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Distribute it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Divide it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Double it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Draw on it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dream of it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Drill it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dye it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Embrace it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Encase it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Encode it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Engrave it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Enlighten it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Experiment with it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Explore it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Expose it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Extrude it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Fill it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Film it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Flatten it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Flick it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Flip it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Fold it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Force it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Form it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Fracture it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Frame it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Freeze it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Give it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Glorify it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gloss it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Glue it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Google it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gouge it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gradate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Grate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Grind it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Grip it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Group it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Grout it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Guide it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hang it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Harden it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Heat it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Help it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hide it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hinge it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hit it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hoard it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Honor it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hug it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Imagine it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Imbed it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jumble it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Kaleidoscope it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Keep it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Knit it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Knot it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lace it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lacquer it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Leach it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lengthen it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Level it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Link it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Log it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Look at it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Loop it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Love it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lubricate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Magnetize it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Magnify it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mail it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Make it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Manipulate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mark it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Market it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mass Produce it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Massage it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Master it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Match it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Measure it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mirror it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mix inclusions into it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mix it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mokume Gane it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mold it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Morph it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Move it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Multiply it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mush it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Nail it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Origami it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pack it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Package it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Paint it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pass it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Paste it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Patina it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Perfume it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Photograph it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pile it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pinch it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Play with it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Poke it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Polish it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pop it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Popularize it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Position it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pound it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Practice it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Print on it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Process it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Prod it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Proliferate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pucker it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pull it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Puncture it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Purchase it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Push it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Puzzle it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Quadruple it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Qualify it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Quantify it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Quarter it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Question it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ram it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Recombine it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Recycle it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Redo it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reduce it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reformulate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Refrigerate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Release it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Repeat it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reposition it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reproduce it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reuse it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Revolutionize it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ribbon it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Rip it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ripple it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Roll it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sample it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sand it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Save it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Saw it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Scrap it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Scrape it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Screw into it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Scrub it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sculpt it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">See it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sell it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sew it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Shape it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Share it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Shave it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Shear it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sheet it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Shine it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Shop for it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Shorten it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Shove it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Show it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Shred it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Slam it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Slice it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Slump it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Smash it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Smell it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Smoosh it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Smooth it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sort it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Splice it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Split it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sponge it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Squeeze it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Stack it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Stamp it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Stick it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Stockpile it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Stomp it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Store it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Stretch it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">String it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Strip it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Stripe it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Study it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Subtract it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Swap it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sweep it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Switch it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Synthesize it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tamp it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tangle it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tangram it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tap it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Teach it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tear it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tessellate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Texture it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thicken it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thin it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Think of it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Throw it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tie it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tile it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tint it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Toss it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tower it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Trade it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Transfer onto it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Transform it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Transport it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Triple it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Truncate it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Try it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tuck it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tumble it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Turn it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Twist it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Undo it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Use it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Veneer it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Visualize it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wash it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wear it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Weave it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Weigh it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wiki it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wipe it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wrap it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Write about it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Write on it</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">~ * ~ * ~ Don'ts ~ * ~ * ~</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Burn it</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Consume it</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Flush it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Fry it </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Melt it</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Outlaw it</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Smoke it<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Sending out a special thanks to my kiddos for helping me create this list and for the hours of giggles that ensued as we speculated all of the Do's and Don'ts!<br /><br />What did I miss? Can you think of anything else? If so, comment below . . .<br /><br /><br /> </span></div></div>tokensbeads.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728854207309250895noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519268066198114083.post-3931533409558247252007-07-20T13:45:00.000-07:002007-07-31T07:50:01.059-07:00What is Polymer Clay?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In my previous posts, I discussed how clay tokens led to accounting and cuneiform. Then I discussed plastic and its relative "value." Next, I'm going to discuss polymer clay itself - what it is, what its made of, and what it can do. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">First, some definitions from the <a href="http://www.dictionary.com/">American Heritage Dictionary</a>:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">pol·y·mer</span> (pŏl'ə-mər)<br /><br />n. Any of numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule.<br /><br />[Greek polumerēs, consisting of many parts : polu-, poly- + meros, part; see (s)mer-2 in Indo-European roots.]<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">clay</span> (klā)<br />n. 1.<br /> --1. A fine-grained, firm earthy material that is plastic when wet and hardens when heated, consisting primarily of hydrated silicates of aluminum and widely used in making bricks, tiles, and pottery.<br /> --2. A hardening or nonhardening material having a consistency similar to clay and used for modeling.<br />2. Geology A sedimentary material with grains smaller than 0.002 millimeters in diameter.<br />3. Moist sticky earth; mud.<br />4. The human body as opposed to the spirit.<br /><br />[Middle English clei, from Old English clæg.] </blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And here are more definitions for </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/polymer">polymer</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/clay">clay</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> from dictionary.com.<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />So, to rephrase...polymer clay is a synthetic compound of "many parts" that is plastic when wet [raw, uncured] and hardens when heated.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.tokensbeads.com/about.htm">my website</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> I offer the following description of polymer clay:</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Polymer clay is a man-made substance containing polyvinylchloride (commonly called "PVC") together with a plasticizer. It is a modeling medium that, when well-conditioned and properly cured, produces a strong, long-lasting, durable product. It comes in many colors and differing textures, is easy to work with, and can be purchased in most craft stores. Unlike earthen clays, polymer clay cures at 275 degrees Fahrenheit, and does not require a kiln for firing. Polymer clay remains soft and pliable until baked so it is ideal for projects that may take more than one sitting to complete. Before curing, different techniques and substances can be applied-to and/or mixed-with it to produce different effects. Pictures can also be transferred to it. Once cured, it can be sanded, painted, drawn-on, carved, back-filled, polished, or varnished. Polymer clay is a phenomenal medium with virtually limitless possibilities for the experienced artist as well as the novice.</blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Below is a list of links that should get you started if you'd like to do further research on polymer clay:<br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wikipedia's article on </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_clay">Polymer Clay</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Glass Attic's summary of </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/Characteristics.htm">Polymer Clay Characteristics</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Polymer Clay Central's </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/pcc/pcfaq.html">Polymer Clay FAQ</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">PolyForm's </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.sculpey.com/frameset_tipsandtechniques.html">Polymer Clay Tips and Techniques</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">James Lehman's </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.akrobiz.com/polymer_clay/polymer_clay.html">Polymer Clay FAQ</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.akrobiz.com/polymer_clay/polymer.html">What is Polymer?</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sarajane Helm's </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.polyclay.com/PolymerFAQ.htm">Polymer Clay FAQ</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.polyclay.com/glossary.htm">Polymer Clay Glossary</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Polymer Clay Spot's </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.jaedworks.com/clayspot/polyclay-faq/basics.html">Polymer Clay FAQ</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Sue Heaser's </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://ares.redsword.com/dollhouse/ddkilmon/sue.htm">Polymer Clay FAQ</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Next up...<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Do's and Don'ts of Polymer Clay</span>.</span>tokensbeads.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728854207309250895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519268066198114083.post-54719680092034380942007-07-06T11:45:00.000-07:002008-12-09T19:21:47.930-08:00Plastic!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_IqhNOtj3iYpodNnC-5sWqzf7sUlL4Bmgvbnad_SQ4VVDcy3GQlgHb5nfU1IpYexuzoSpEVY8dqnUQCG_ZqFV1KZGt91g3Y3kMHx9onR6EIZ93WqA5gZZIu6ty4xfJvjZqXR-7t15p0/s1600-h/blocksofclay-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_IqhNOtj3iYpodNnC-5sWqzf7sUlL4Bmgvbnad_SQ4VVDcy3GQlgHb5nfU1IpYexuzoSpEVY8dqnUQCG_ZqFV1KZGt91g3Y3kMHx9onR6EIZ93WqA5gZZIu6ty4xfJvjZqXR-7t15p0/s200/blocksofclay-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084117088891418370" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Just as our ancestors found an ideal medium in their environment to transform ideas into physical, long-lasting legacies that provided a story for future generations, we too, have a medium that is representative of modern times. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Plastic</span><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >There are those who would argue that the fact that polymer clay is a plastic lessens its value as an art form. There are those who would argue that plastic is cheap - the stuff of children's toys. Let us, for a moment, examine that argument. Look around the room you are sitting in. I'd wager that you could easily name 20 items that are made entirely out of plastic or incorporate plastics in one form or another. From the computer that you're looking at, to the switch plate that it is plugged into. Telephones, light fixtures, appliances, floor and wall coverings, paints, pens, storage containers, credit cards, remote controls, and the list goes on and on. Plastics have become a constant, almost inescapable part of our daily lives. Plastics have also opened the door of possibility to technological advances that were hitherto unheard of.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >One of the reasons why plastics are all around us is because they are <span style="font-style: italic;">extremely</span> versatile. From bubble-gum machine toys to spacecraft, from acrylic nails to artificial limbs, from Tupperware to digital media storage devices, from plastic fruit to plastic explosives, the possibilities and applications are virtually endless! As we can see, by way of comparison, the relative value of plastic lies within the dynamism of its appositeness.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >There are polarities and dualities existing everywhere. Just as the invention and circulation of clay tokens as a system of accounting led to great technological advances for our ancestors, it also had its disadvantages. The elite and those holding positions of power used the tokens to set control systems into place that forever changed the life of the average villager. Society changed from agrarian to bureaucratic. Ancient traditions, customs, and cyclical ways-of-life were lost to modernization, progress, and linear hierarchies.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >It is the same with plastic. Just as plastics have given impetus for advancement and improvement in many aspects of modern existence, its propensity for reduplication and mass-production combined with society's apparent willingness to fecundate its convenience has resulted in exceedingly complex global dilemmas, namely <span style="font-style: italic;">catchpenny disposability</span>.<br /><br />...<br /><br />In the Summer 2006 issue of <a href="http://www.polymercafe.com/">Polymer Cafe</a>, on page 27, <a href="http://www.tatanatic.com/">Natalia Garcia de Leaniz</a> said:<br /><blockquote> "The main goal is to lift polymer clay up to the place it deserves among other, more established art materials. We strive to make the "it's just plastic" opinion disappear and show everyone that the art lies within the creation. This is one of the biggest and most motivating challenges we face everyday."</blockquote></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >In the <a href="http://www.pcpolyzine.com/2000december/artist.html">December 2000 issue of PCPolyzine</a>, Debra Woodward asked Nan Roche, "...what is different now from when she first published her book in 1991?" She replied:<br /><blockquote> "There are dozens of books published now, [...] there is a wonderful heritage now, a community. There is so much innovation and excitement, and new people are recognizing what great possibilities there are for polymer clay. [...] Polymer clay is here to stay."</blockquote></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >The following quote comes from a 2003 interview with <a href="http://www.heartinhandstudio.com/">Lisa Pavelka</a> from the <a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Mar-11-Tue-2003/living/20833615.html">Los Angeles Review-Journal</a>.<br /><blockquote> "It hasn't gotten the respect it deserves," Pavelka said, although she noted one polymer-clay artist recently was accepted into the Smithsonian Craft Show. She remembers one traditional sculptor who pointed out that polymer clay is essentially plastic.<br /><br />"<span style="font-weight: bold;">What they're working with</span>," she said, "<span style="font-weight: bold;">is dirt</span>. I don't know how that makes them so much better than me." <span style="font-style: italic;">(emphasis mine)</span><br /></blockquote></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.akrobiz.com/polymer_clay/polymer.html">James Lehman</a>, epitomizing the essence of polymer clay, said:<br /><blockquote> "Polymer clay is not alive but it, and almost every other kind of plastic, is a human modified organic molecule made entirely of the-stuff-of-life."<br /></blockquote></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">...<br /><br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If our ancestors were able to develop systems of accounting and written language through earthen clay, if humans have used clay to build everything from beads to megaliths, if plastics have opened the technological floodgates of science and industry, and if polymers are everywhere - we could not ask for a more advanced, innovative, and apt modeling medium for modern times than </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >plastic polymer clay</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">!</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><br /></span></span>tokensbeads.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728854207309250895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519268066198114083.post-12659537167838594862007-07-06T11:30:00.000-07:002008-12-09T19:21:48.167-08:00Great Beginnings<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">In the beginning there was clay.</span> A sampler pack of Sculpey III to be exact. Thirty one-ounce bars, rich with color and gleaming with potential. If you've had a "Great Beginning" with clay, you can probably relate in one way or another. In those days, I knew very little about polymer clay. Yet, I was intrigued, fascinated and curious. Would this 'stuff' really turn out to be a malleable, formable, carveable, caneable, oven-curing plastic?! It seemed to good to be true... </span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Long before any of our adventures with polymer clay began, there was another "Great Beginning" in clay. Did you know that clay tokens have been in circulation for thousands of years? Archaeological evidence suggests that our ancestors created clay tokens for various reasons. Some ancient clay artifacts seem to represent artistic or religious expression. Other clay artifacts are of a utilitarian nature. Still, others represent a marriage of expression and utility - <span style="font-style: italic;">technological tools</span>. It was these latter clay tokens that changed the shape of human history.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Ten thousand years ago, in Mesopotamia, civilization began to flourish. Our ancestors developed agriculture, livestock, and trade. Individuals and families began to network and form groups. Groups began to seek out information and goods from other groups. Eventually, networks of trade were developed amongst these groups.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >We can imagine what some of these trades may have been like. Perhaps a sheep was given in exchange for bushels of wheat. Perhaps jugs of oil were given in exchange for furs. Perhaps information or knowledge were shared in exchange for labor of some sort. In time, our ancestors developed the need for accountability and proof of these transactions.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >At this time in history, however, there was no form of written language. There were pictorial representations dating back tens of thousands of years. Still, humanity had yet to create a physical depiction of <span style="font-style: italic;">words</span>.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >In order to create a receipt of their transactions, our ancestors developed an accounting system that circulated clay tokens as evidence of their 'proof-of-trade.' This was done in a 1:1 ratio. One sheep equaled one token. Two vessels of oil equaled two tokens. And so on and so forth. In time the tokens became more and more complex. They created different tokens to represent different things. For example, tokens representing sheep might have been round; whereas tokens representing vessels of oil might have been conical. </span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />As our ancestors gained experience with organizing, transporting, and storing these tokens, systems and innovations developed. Many of the ancient tokens were pierced so that they could be strung together. Thus, creating a representation of numerous transactions taking place within a certain time-frame or encounter. Eventually, this led to the invention of bullae. Bullae were clay envelopes used to seal, transport, and store tokens. </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTf6tHcOq8i_rftlH-bdPGaNXdfunGc8_jKsd3mFHs1UAbIsaw7oiv4em0A8eDz4eWbcmiuFGT_2BjIUcamN5W0-zEH34v7jQH8UOlHqCqg0u36CQMxixP8zzgTZ9GmjVxejORlzmDBk/s1600-h/bullae-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTf6tHcOq8i_rftlH-bdPGaNXdfunGc8_jKsd3mFHs1UAbIsaw7oiv4em0A8eDz4eWbcmiuFGT_2BjIUcamN5W0-zEH34v7jQH8UOlHqCqg0u36CQMxixP8zzgTZ9GmjVxejORlzmDBk/s320/bullae-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082791893912106674" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >The word bulla describes a bubble-like structure. Whenever a transaction took place, a hollow vessel of clay would be formed. The tokens from the transaction would be placed inside of this vessel. Then, they would seal the bulla with the tokens inside. If the transaction ever needed to be verified, the bulla could be broken open and the tokens inside could be counted.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >The problem that this presented was that the tokens could not be seen without destroying the original seal. So, our ancestors began to incorporate a most innovative technique during the course of these transactions. They would press each of the tokens onto the outer surface of the bulla before sealing them inside. In this way, the contents of the bullae could be 'read' without actually having to break the seal. It also created a convenient record of each transaction that could be transported and stored for future reference. The bullae would only need to be broken open if a dispute were to occur. In the case of a dispute, they could compare the impressions on the exterior of the bullae with the actual contents inside.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Eventually, the bullae were replaced with clay tablets. The tokens would be impressed onto a clay tablet and then this tablet could be 'read' as a means to verify the transaction. As you may know, cuneiform was the predecessor to written language. What you may not know, however, is that the word cuneiform means wedge-shaped. <span style="font-style: italic;">Our ancestors eventually developed an ancient form of writing through the process of impressing wedge-shaped objects into clay</span>. At first they used tokens, then graduated to utilizing different types of wedge-shaped styli. ...And the rest is history! </span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Getting back to the beginning...<br /><br />It was my desire to share the story of the history of clay tokens with you so that you could marvel over the rich history and vast potential that clay has to offer. Whether you are a beginner, opening your first package of clay, or whether you are master artisan having known clay for most of your life - know that each time you hold a piece of clay in your hand, you are holding a medium that has been utilized by humans since the beginning of recorded history! Indeed, <span style="font-weight: bold;">clay tokens were the precursors to one of the foremost milestones of the human race - <span style="font-style: italic;">written language</span>!</span><br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >_____________________________________</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br />Notes: </span><div style="text-align: left;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >1. The picture shown above is my rendition of "clay tokens with bulla" modeled in polymer clay.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >2. For more information regarding the development of written language, I recommend the book </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >How Writing Came About</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > by </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.dgatx.com/computing/people/Denise-Schmandt-Besserat/hs.html">Denise Schmandt-Besserat</a></span><br /><br /></span></div><br /></div>tokensbeads.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728854207309250895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519268066198114083.post-23798754318287638742007-07-06T11:05:00.000-07:002007-07-31T07:55:05.985-07:00Impetus and Rejection<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >For the past few years, I have been developing some ideas, concepts, and methodologies related to polymer clay that I have wanted to share. I've been holding out for a few reasons: namely, lack of time and resources, the need for further development, and also the need for a appropriate venue for publication.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Recently, the </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.npcg.org/">National Polymer Clay Guild</a></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > issued a "Call for Proposals" to give seminars at their 2008 Synergy Conference. I was drawn to the seminar/lecture format that they are planning because it would seem to be an ideal format for sharing <span style="font-style: italic;">polyclayology</span>. So, the "Call for Proposals" got the ball of impetus rolling for me and I was able to organ</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >ize and outline some of the material that I had collected while I created two proposals.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tokensbeads.com/proposals.htm">My proposals</a></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > were, however, summarily </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >rejected by the NPCG's jurying committee.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Admittedly, I languished in defeat and despair for a few interminable moments... Not so much because of the rejection itself, but for the ball of impetus that had instantaneously screeched to a halt. But after the initial impact, the impetus soon picked up momentum again until I could no longer ignore it in excuse of rejection. So what do I do now?<br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Well, I could wait around in hopes that some day a <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Polymer Clay Manifesto</span> of sorts will be gathered and published posthumously in my name. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Now, there's a plan!</span>)<br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Or, I could utilize the impetus to blog about it for a while... If nothing else, it should provide a platform for further development and a groundwork of literary material. And on the plus side, I'm now freed from the pressures of a looming deadline!<br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, thanks to impetus and rejection, here I am.<br /><br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My tentative plan is to begin at the beginning, work from the material and existing outlines that I already have lined-up, and see where it leads from there . . .</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ></span><br /></span></span>tokensbeads.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728854207309250895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519268066198114083.post-81592841878037306822007-07-02T17:05:00.000-07:002007-07-31T07:57:01.800-07:00Commencement<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thusly, the blogging begins . . .</span></span>tokensbeads.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728854207309250895noreply@blogger.com