One of my favorite posts that other artists do is a glimpse into their studio. I love to see their workspaces, how they create, and even the tools they use. While this post will NOT be exhaustive by any stretch of the imagination, it will definitely give you some great insight into my daily grind in my polymer clay studio.
Inside Kater’s Acres Polymer Clay Studio
My Bamboo Spinner
My bamboo spinner from Pampered Chef is one of my favorite items in my studio. I received it as a Christmas present from my Mom in 2012. She actually bought it for herself for her kitchen tools, but her tools were too tall and ended up “flopping” out of it. Long story short, she hated it for her kitchen tools. She was going to return it but thought that it might be just the right size for my studio. You know what? She was right. Thanks for the tool caddy Mom!
What’s In My Spinner
Needle Tools
- Homemade Needle Tools (Get the tutorial here)- I use these needles to make them
- Stainless Steel Needle Tool
- Homemade Quilting Tools (Get the tutorial here)- I use these needles to make them
Sculpting Tools
- Christi Friesen’s Tools
- Parker’s Poker Tool
- A variety of different sized dotting tools
- Studio by Sculpey Tools Set
- A variety of rubber shapers (not shown, they are on the backside)
- Wipe Out Tool – I don’t use this that often, but Ginger from Blue Bottle Tree has an excellent review on this.
- Toothpicks – Never underestimate the handiness & supremacy of the everyday item!
Texture Tools
- MALE Velcro
- Sculpey Texture Wheels – Really fun for a quick burst of texture without dragging out hundreds of stamps.
- Polyform’s Etch & Pearl Set – I don’t use these often, but when I need them there is NOTHING else comparable on the market.
Cutting Tools & Blades
- Tissue Blades (Rigid, flexible, wavy, & others)
- X-acto Knife
Other Tools
- Acrylic Rollers (I have 2 different sizes)
- Variety of paint brushes for mica’s, chalk powders, acrylic washes, etc.
- Sewing Scissors – Great for trimming threads & clay after baking
- Variety of Tweezers
- Wax Pencil – These are great to pick up tiny glass gems, rhinestones, or beads & add directly to your projects.
- Mechanical Pencils – Makes a great texture tool!
- Ball Point Pens – Homemade & covered with polymer (get a free tutorial here). I use these to take notes in my clay journal too.
Around the Spinner (But Not Inside)
- Kemper Cutters in a variety of sizes & shapes
- Chap-Stick
- Custom Stamps of Parker, Lolly, & my signature
- Bake & Bond
- Fimo Deco Gel
- Transluscent Liquid Sculpey
- Round Nosed & Chain Link Pliers
- Flush Cutters
This listing of tools and miscellaneous items from my polymer clay studio (at least the ones in my spinner) is by no means exhaustive. I have tried, loved, & hated many tools in my day. But the tools in my spinner are the ones I reach for 95% of the time.
EDITORS NOTE: This article was published in JUNE 2015 and many of these tools & supplies I no longer use. I will edit & update this list as soon as possible.
Have you tried any of the tools above? Did you like them? Which are YOUR favorites? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Thanks for joining me today,
Happy Claying,
