Is it ever been difficult to find the perfect button for your latest creation?You can make your own using polymer clay.There are a lot of design possibilities with the easy to make buttons.You can make buttons out of thicker wool and use them on coats and other items.
Step 1: Place a thin sheet of clay on the floor.
Take some clay and put it in your hands.Place it on a smooth surface and roll it out into a thin sheet.The thickness of the clay is up to you.You can use a rolling pin or fat pen if you can't find an acrylic tube.There is a pasta machine that you can use.
Step 2: If you want, add some texture to it.
The clay can be left blank to make buttons.Adding texture can make buttons fancy.Press a texture mat on top of the clay and peel it off.Background stamps with floral designs are great for buttons.You can draw your own design using a toothpick.
Step 3: The clay should be covered with plastic wrap.
This will make your buttons rounded.It will make them look professional.You can skip this step if you don't want rounded edges.Don't smooth your stamped designs.
Step 4: Take the buttons out.
You can use shaped clay butters to do this.Pull the tool out after pressing it into the clay.You can cut as many buttons as you want.
Step 5: Peel the plastic wrap.
Don't use the plastic wrap anymore.Add the clay back to the bin or brick.
Step 6: There are two to four holes in each button.
Smaller buttons only need two holes.Make sure the holes are straight and centered.You can poke them with skewers, toothpicks, knitting needles, or even plastic coffee stir sticks.You can widen the holes with toothpicks and skewers.
Step 7: The buttons can be baked in the oven.
The temperature on the clay's wrapper tells you to preheat your oven.Place the buttons on the baking sheet once the oven reaches the right temperature.After putting the baking sheet into the oven, let the clay bake for the time specified on the label.It doesn't matter how far apart the buttons are on the baking sheet.The baking times and temperatures for each brand of clay will be different.
Step 8: If desired, paint or glaze the buttons.
The buttons should cool first.You can add designs to the buttons with a thin paintbrush.After the paint is dry, apply a glaze with a paintbrush.Before you use the buttons, let the glaze dry.You can apply glaze to buttons that are not painted.Rub the paint off with a paper towel if you added a stamped design.The clay's original color will be revealed by this.The button holes may be covered by a thick glaze.To clear the holes, run a toothpick or skewer through them.
Step 9: Take your mold.
The kit is from an arts and crafts store.There are two containers labeled "Part A" and " Part B".If you want to form a ball, take out equal amounts of each part.If you want a button or cabochon ready, have it ready.You will need one to make a mark.
Step 10: The button should be pressed into the silicon.
For a tight fit, use your fingers to press the Silicon around the sides of the button.Don't cover up the back.The Silicon will start to set fast.
Step 11: Remove the button or cabochon from the mold.
Most of the time, the Silicon will turn a darker color.It will be rubbery and flexible.Pull the button when you can't "shape" it anymore.You should have a perfect cast.
Step 12: Press the clay into the mold
Take some clay and make it softer.Next, press it into the mold.You can use your fingers to press all along the back.The back of the button should be clean.The clay should be left in the mold.Excess clay may be sticking out of the mold.Cut the excess clay off by running a thin blade across the back of the mold.If you are worried about the clay sticking to the mold, mist it with some water.
Step 13: The back of the button has a jump ring in it.
Press the button halfway if you choose a large jump ring.You can use either ring.The color of the jump ring doesn't matter, but an unpainted one will probably hold up to baking the best.You can glue a button to the back of the clay piece if you can't find a jump ring.
Step 14: The slit should be smooth under the ring.
You may have seen a small slit in the clay when you pushed the jump ring in.To smooth the slit shut, use a toothpick, pen, or knitting needle.Don't worry if you end up with a small gap.It will be easier to sew the button on with this grooves.
Step 15: The clay can be removed from the mold.
Hold the mold in both hands when you pick it up.Like snapping a stick, bend it back.The sides of the button should leave the mold.bend the mold again by rotating it.Continue until the button is loose.The button should fall out when the mold is flipped over.The clay needs to be removed from the mold.The button should not be baked in the mold.The same mold can be used to make more buttons.
Step 16: The button can be baked on the baking sheet.
The clay's label tells you to preheat your oven.Place the baking sheet inside the oven once it reaches the correct temperature.The button should bake for the time on the label.There are different brands of clay.The instructions on the label need to be followed closely.
Step 17: Allow the buttons to cool before using them.
The buttons can be painted with acrylic paint.You can also use a clay glaze.Before you use the buttons, let the paint and glaze dry.Adding paint to the raised edges of the button is an interesting design idea.You can buy a button cover kit from the fabric store if you didn't add a jump ring.Super glue a flat disk with a wire loop to the back of your button.