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Armatures for polymer clay dolls?
Posted:
Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:15 am
by DollyKim
I know aluminum foil works with polymer clay, and Wild Wire says it does. I want to try to make a jointed out of polymer clay but I'm uncertain what to use inside the body and other large parts I want to be hollow. I've done heads and odds and ends of polymer clay baking so I'm slightly familiar with it. Boil setting isn't an option.
I have a dedicated clay oven and a bead baking wrack among other things at my disposal. Outside of balling up a bunch of foil is there something I can use that will withstand repeated baking without burning?
Re: Armatures for polymer clay dolls?
Posted:
Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:50 am
by yarwel
If you are looking for something to keep your hollow pieces from deforming in the oven you can use fiberfill. It may become matted after repeated use because it is made of artificial fibers but it won't burn at those temperatures.
Re: Armatures for polymer clay dolls?
Posted:
Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:06 am
by DollyKim
Fiberfill brand or any poly fill stuffing in general?
Re: Armatures for polymer clay dolls?
Posted:
Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:28 pm
by yarwel
Any brand should work. I don't think there is any significant difference between the name brand and the generics.
Re: Armatures for polymer clay dolls?
Posted:
Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:16 pm
by dhawktx
Yes, any poly filling will work at those temps - it's great for keeping you from getting a shiny spot where the clay sits on a hard surface while it bakes.
Re: Armatures for polymer clay dolls?
Posted:
Tue Mar 06, 2012 7:51 pm
by Morgan
Re: Armatures for polymer clay dolls?
Posted:
Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:51 am
by DollyKim
I have some of the Active Mesh, I think that's how they spell it, I just didn't keep the packaging. It's very fine and sold with Rigid Wrap and other crafts in the polymer clay aisle.
What I want to try is to make a ball joint doll, 1/6 to the smaller end of the 1/4 side, do the body especially will need to keep it's shape.
Re: Armatures for polymer clay dolls?
Posted:
Wed Mar 07, 2012 2:13 pm
by Morgan
One thing I found helpful with the mesh was to reinforce it with Apoxie Sculpt, which is stronger than polymer clay. Using the mesh alone as an armature, it tended to get a little smushed.
Re: Armatures for polymer clay dolls?
Posted:
Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:41 am
by DollyKim
What about using wood? Dowels? Chopsticks?
I have some unfinished wood beads that are a good size for joints and I wonder if it would be possible to make them part of the form from the beginning.
And to pass some tips a master doll maker uses glass baking dishes because she said metal, including foil inside, can make everything warmer. Polyfil stuffing nests can leave little marks of fibers on the clay.
Re: Armatures for polymer clay dolls?
Posted:
Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:39 am
by DollyKim
Can an air dry clay be used as an armature? Would it be possible to make a skeleton out of something like La Doll clay or a paper mache mix?
After some trial and error I am in need of a skeleton that I can build upon and bake then scoop out to make the doll hollow. I know making a strung polymer clay doll is a pain but I don't want to give up just yet.