I asked this on a thread somewhere a few days ago, but I will ask here as well. Once I paint wood or ceramic or pottery for my garden pieces, what do I use to seal it that really works?

Debbie said:Is there a thread that teaches the basics of working with polymer clay? I would love to learn how to use it, if I need one of those machines that flatten it, and how to make miniature garden furniture with it, (for my succulent planters). Oh yes, and where to buy it.

Not yet...need to get Charlene on that but her new thread does show some instructions.

Samigal said:I have all these white ceramic tiles we took off our kitchen counter. I need to know what kind of paint I can use on them. Also I won't throw away the damaged ones, I know they can be used for mosaic. Glad I found this forum again, I hadn't marked it "watch" before. I'll probably have a lot more questions, but those senior moments do come quite often.

Questions are good, Pegi. We all learn from them!

If the tiles are slick, you can use glass paint...it's fairly permanent. If they are rough, any paint will work (I use a lot of Delta Ceram Coat) and then spray it. Broken tiles are great for mosaic and also for adding to the bottom of pots for better drainage.

Oh Charlene.............................

Debbie said:I asked this on a thread somewhere a few days ago, but I will ask here as well. Once I paint wood or ceramic or pottery for my garden pieces, what do I use to seal it that really works?

Debbie, I use Krylon Crystal Clear (a non yellowing spray sealer) and also Valspar (at Lowes) Clear Protector that you brush on. Chris (?) uses Behr spray that's really shiny. can't recall the name or where I read it here.

Thanks Becky.

Yep, I'll get you a link.....BRB
Now I've not read all of this but this will get you started....
http://www.jaedworks.com/clays...
I'll find more.....
I've used this place before. I Really LIKE it.
http://polymerclaycentral.com/

The Behr Wetlook Sealer I use is only a concrete sealer, for cement and Quikwall. I use Krylon for wood too.

Chris, what do you use for the bugs???? Some of mine are "tacky"

I don't use a machine to flatten my polymer, a rolling pin works just fine. I first take what I call a slab, which is just a layer of the clay, roll it into a ball and kind of kneed it to make it soft, then I flatten it out some with my hand on parchment paper and start using the rolling pin like you would a pie crust. I think the package tells you how to start and create and then tells how to bake. It's super easy to work with.

You are probably younger than me. My poor old hands need held so I did get a machine designed to roll clay. It is easy to work with, I'm a wimp!!!!

You're not a wimp you are very clever, I would never of thought about using a pasta machine. Believe me. age in this case is the smarter. I'm 57 and have RA so a good idea is for me to get the machine. But if someone is going to make just a few projects no need to get the machine.

Good point, Robin! I have a tendency to jump into things and maybe I should make sure I love it first.

I have about 10 dozen wooden door knobs that I purchased to make baby knobs with. I've used 3.

I'm 64, I'll be 65 in October so you know I have a few aches,here and there...
Becky I have done the same thing buy stuff, then not use it like I wanted too. I've found with some of my clay. some are much more easier to work up than others. They can be the same brand but the texture is different. The translucents are the toughest and the driest. I have to work and work to get it right. Sometimes I blend in white , which is a very good pliable clay. Have you noticed the difference???

I sure have and I agree the white is the easiest. I use it more than any other. I love the colored but like you say that are a little harder to work with. I figure I can paint just as easy. Beside I have to drive 100 miles to get to a joanns or a michaels. Walmart carries the white and the color pack. I use them unless I know I'm going by one of the others, which isn't very often.

I've found that newer clay is much easier to work with. The older it is the more dried out it is and harder to work with. But you're right, certain colors are softer too. Translucent is a difficult one.

Charleen, I use "Preserve Your Memories II' to spray my clay. http://www.precision-blue.com/ It's a little expensive but a little goes a long way. This stuff is great! You can spray just about anything with it - wood, leather, paper, pictures, clay, plastic, etc. I like that it's a UV protectant and waterproof too.

A small pasta machine for clay is pretty cheap. You can usually find them for about $15. They save soooo much work and I think are well worth the price. I've spent $15 on a lot dumber things than that!

Where you shopping for that pasta machine, girl???? $15 is cheap! I get a coupon to get one for that price.
doen here they run about double that price. I've been thru two. I tried to put too much in the poor things. But I've learned (the hard way) But I do love my little machine. I'll see if I can find the spray, Thank girl....

I got my pasta machine on this website: http://www.polymerclaysupersto... It was on sale when I got it, but they have it on sale every once in a while. Sometimes you can get it on Amazon.com too for cheap.

The only place I've found that spray so far is on line.

Well, durn. Wonder if there is anything else that is as good???? Probably not, huh???