They do not need adhesive because the heat-set glue bonds quite well to the polymer clay. This gold bug features Hotfix crystals that were applied before baking. The glue will activate and the crystals will be permanently bonded. Just press onto the clay with a tiny dab of Bake and Bond, then bake. But this adhesive works very well with polymer clay. ![]() These are flat-backed crystals with a heat-activated glue on the backs, and they’re designed to be ironed onto clothing. So does Crafter’s Pick ‘The Ultimate’.īut a really great way is to use Hotfix crystals. As already mentioned, Loctite Gel works well. Many people use E6000, but others report that it’s messy and often doesn’t cure well. How to use Flat-Backed Crystals with Polymer Clayįlat backed crystals can’t really be embedded into the clay very effectively, so you’ll need to attach them with a glue to the clay after baking. Then press the gem into the clay, gently molding the clay around the edges. To embed rivolis (or other regular shaped beads) into polymer clay, first make a thick pancake the same size and shape as the gem. Because of the larger surface area, rivolis embedded this way don’t seem to pop out and need gluing. You can then use this clay-rivoli unit in your polymer clay design. If the edges of the clay splay outward, gently use your fingers to snug the clay around the rivoli. Then press the rivoli into the clay pancake. Make it smooth, flatten it slightly into a thick pancake. Make a small ball of clay the same approximate size as your rivoli. But if your piece is thin, or if you need to create a full cup to hold the rivoli, try this. To use rivolis, if the piece is thick enough, you can use the very same technique as with smaller point-backed crystals embedded into the clay design. So I just glue after baking.Īnother strategy is to push the crystals into the clay, but remove them before baking. I found that these were just as easy to remove as the crystals without it. A lot of people use a dab of liquid clay or Bake and Bond before pushing the crystal into the clay. Doing it this way means the fit between the clay and the crystal is perfect and very little glue is required ( more on what glue works best with polymer clay here). Loctite Gel and Lisa Pavelka’s Poly Bonder both work nicely. Then use a tiny dab of instant glue on the back and put the crystal right back. After baking, once the piece is fully cool, use a fine needle tool or your craft knife and carefully pop the crystal out. But if the piece will be handled, you’ll need to secure the crystals. Most of the time the crystals will stay in place, so if you’re doing a sculpture or something that won’t get much wear and tear, you’re done. Just push them into the clay, right where you want them in your design, and bake. Working with smaller point-backed crystals is amazingly simple. How to Use Crystals in Polymer Clay How to use Point-Backed Crystals with Polymer Clay Flat-backed crystals are flat on the back side and sit on the surface of the clay. All glass crystals can be baked in polymer clay without causing any harm to either the crystals or the polymer clay. This works well to give depth and reflection to your piece, and it also helps the crystal stay attached to the clay. The pointed part of point-backed crystals is usually pushed down into the clay. The types of crystals most commonly used are point-backed, flat-backed, and a larger version of the point-backed crystals called a rivoli. ![]() This means that light going into the crystal is reflected back in a very sparkly way. Most often, clayers are concerned with chatons, which are foil-backed crystals that have a mirror finish applied to the back side. Do make sure your crystals are actually glass, though. All glass crystals can be baked in polymer clay, though not all shapes and types will give good visual results. There are other brands of crystals, of course, and you can find them in any craft store. ![]() You can see more examples of Swarovski crystals here. ![]() That’s a brand name of faceted glass gems and beads that is known for its high quality and evidenced by the particularly brilliant light that reflects from them. The name you’ll hear most commonly used in connection with crystals is “Swarovski”. I’ll treat each separately and since quartz crystal is a natural stone, I’ll talk about it in that section. Or it can apply to natural quartz crystals. The term “crystals” can apply to the “bling” that is also called rhinestones.
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