POLYMER CLAY TIP OF THE DAY
Haven’t you ever noticed how after claying all day (or part of the day) your hands are dried out, your cuticles begin to tear, and you get a large number of hangnails? This is because the clay (though non-toxic and gentle) takes the moisture that is in your hands and absorbs it…all of it.
This being said, there are several things that I have on my studio table at all times.
Using lotion with polymer clay can save your hands and your clay in the long run! One of the things I rely on is a giant bottle of St. Ives Intensive Healing Lotion.
Having lotion on your table and using that lotion are very important parts of being a sculptor or a clayer. This being said, there are a lot of people that do not like this idea. I think that stems from the fact that people don’t use the lotion correctly. So today we’re going to talk a little about how to use lotion, why you should use it, and why it will help you clay. [Be sure to watch the video above as well!]
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HOW TO USE LOTION WITH POLYMER CLAY:
First, let’s remember that using lotion with polymer clay is to help you clay and not hinder your claying experience. In order for this to work for you here are my suggestions.
First:
Apply a normal amount of hand lotion. Please note that I did not say a liberal or generous amount. All you want to do is put a barrier on your hands, not soak them so that they drip with lotion. Using lotion with polymer clay is to help you … not to hurt you. Using too much will hurt you and your claying your experience.
Second:
Next, work that lotion into your hands all the way…leave no “unrubbed” spots of greasy parts on your hands. If you do not adequately rub the lotion into your hands, you will have a mess when you begin to work with clay (this is exactly why some clayers think using lotion is a bad idea). Here’s the way I do it. I use lotion and rub it in fully. Then I slowly set up my workspace, getting my tools, cutters, clay, and “ingredients out” for my project that day. This also allows the lotion to “set” into my skin. Here’s an important note: do not use baby oil or an oil-based lotion! This will not soak into your skin properly and when you work with clay it will become a mess! I hope that this tip will help you enjoy claying even more!
Get more hints, tips, & tricks here.
Sculpting Blessings,
Wonderful tips! Thank you
Your tips are wonderful. You make claying for first time clayers like myself a joy. I love all the tips you give out especially the one with the lotion. Every time I used red clay I would get the color on my hands even using wipes the red color would always get on my next color now it don’t. I just wipe my hands after the red and I’m ready to go. Thank you. Do you know where I can purchase a personalized rubber stamp to use on my clay?
I’m glad you’re finding the tips useful! There are several places you can get them, I get mine from https://www.etsy.com/shop/RemarkableMarks, send her a private convo & she can help you. Make sure to tell her that you need them DEEP SET.
Yeah, there are too many social networks and it gets overwhelming. And it’s not fun spending half a day or more just sharing something on every single one of those!
No, it’s not fun and it honestly doesn’t get you anywhere anyway.
You are so right. It’s impossible to keep up with everything. Only so many hours in the day and so many clicks in the hands. Take care of your hands; they’re the best tools you have.
Thanks for stopping by Marianne! I’ve missed you dearly. You take care of YOUR hands dear!
This has been my way of thinking for a long time. There are only so many hours in the day and to be effective and to make the best use of your time one needs to focus on the sites that work. Personally, If I stretch myself too thin I get nowhere. Great advice, Katie!
Thanks Nan Gates! It’s so EASY to stretch yourself thin using an online presence in a small business operated by just one person.
Katie,
Fantastic article and so so true. It is hard not to join them all, but I have been doing my best to stick to just 3 and focus on them alone.
I know it’s hard sometimes Laura, but stick to it as best you can.
I have always felt I can neer keep up so this is refreshing news. Thank you!
Establish yourself so well that you can’t possibly be ignored on your 2-3 main sites. Again social media is about QUALITY, not quantity.
I’ve long subscribed to this theory!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really needed that! Now to focus on a few!
You are welcome Crystal. It’s tempting to do them all…but it is better to do a choice few WELL than to do a lot of them poorly!
Katie,
What an awesome post putting into perspective a concept I had been considering for some time. Very well put, thank you for sharing
Thanks Leah! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
This is great advice I have slowly stopped efforts in some areas like Tumblr, Flickr, Muzy, Kaboodle. I have what I deem as “4” although 2 (google+ and wanelo) I only use limited. But I am trying harder to focus my efforts especially because I also considering blogging to be in this realm and I run two ack! I really got to work on cutting my time down though, great post 🙂
Absolutely I agree Aulani! Your blog should be the center of all your social media activity as it has the power and ability to direct traffic to everywhere from ONE centralized location.