Thursday, September 2, 2010

Favorite Tool: sculpting wheel

One of my favorite newer tools is my 7" diameter metal sculpting wheel. Now I can sculpt and decorate all sides of a piece without actually having to touch it and mess up what I've already sculpted. I start my sculptures on ceramic tiles and put the tile in the center of the wheel. Then when I'm ready to bake it I put the tile on a cookie sheet, without ever disturbing the sculpture. I now sculpt all my pieces on the wheel. Another advantage of the metal wheel is that it stays cool, so if your clay gets too warm you can let it cool off on the wheel for a bit.

WIP making remus Remus Critter sculpture


For some pieces I now photograph them on the wheel, with a background behind it. Then all I have to do is turn the wheel to get every angle photographed. It made getting pictures of my delicate Lion Fish Mermaid sculpture much easier and safer. To break a piece after that much work would just be heart breaking.



I use many tools when creating with polymer clay, and am very glad I added this sculpting wheel to my arsenal- LOL! Anything that makes the process a little easier (or safer) is a good thing to have.

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3 Smooshing Thoughts:

Anonymous said...

Very cool idea!

Cat said...

I like that!
I usually turn my tile in one hand and work just with one, that's a little difficult sometimes.

Michelle of CreativeCritters said...

I wasn't sure at first how much I would use the wheel, but I've found I use it constantly now. It's really useful for painting or glazing finished pieces as well.
-Michelle of CreativeCritters