Basic Tools for Epoxy Clay

One super important thing to keep in mind about 2-part epoxy clay is that it is permanent.  Really, really permanent.  This stuff bonds stronger than super glue and does not come off with a little acetone like glue does.  Once it is on something, you better love it there because it is staying.  

How, may you ask, did I discover the epic bonding power of epoxy clay?  Well it wasn't from reading the instructions or any warnings.  I didn't so much as peep at a blog post about it.  Nope.  I jumped right in and started making stuff.  I ruined my folding work table in the process.  It looked like it had broken out putty grey acne.  No zit cream will help epoxy acne!  But the best part was the glob I got on my left thumbnail.  It was an amorphous blob hanging right by the cuticle.  I did not wash my hands frequently enough and it set up on there.

It looked like the tiniest hinkypunk took a crap on my nail, and I had to let it grow out.  Worst.  Nail art.  Ever.  So avoid my tragic mistakes:  learn about the media, wash your hands, and protect your work surface.  

So here are some things you'll need to get into working in epoxy clay!

• Stuff to protect your work surface.  Silicon mats are the best, the clay won't stick to them. Silicon is one of the very few things it won't stick to.  
• Vaseline and/or mineral oil.  You'll want a little tub of that next to you while you work.  Keep your hands lightly coated in this stuff as you work, the clay will have a harder time sticking to your skin.
• Latex or other thin plastic gloves.  During the mixing stage of the clay it is super sticky.  This is when it gets under your fingernails and is a pain to wash off.  I use gloves while I mix the clay, but the gloves are off as I sculpt.  

One of the wonderful things about epoxy clay is that it holds sharp detail well.  It will brilliantly hold detail from a silicon mold.  You can see above my absolute favorite and my least favorite 2 part silicone molding compounds.  The purply-pink stuff is what Michael's and other craft stores tend to carry.  Don't be fooled by it.  It is garbage.  When it sets up it's limper than a pancake in the rain.  Soon as you begin to press some clay in there it flattens out like a pancake in the rain under my truck tire.  

The larger containers are the best 2 part silicone molding compound I have ever tried.  It's called Alley Goop and you can get it from Clay  Alley.  These molds are firm, not limp; a firm mold is better (wink).  They are firm enough to not completely distort as you press clay into them, yet flexible enough to easily pop your casting out.  They really take a detailed impression as you can see from the crow original next to his mold.  If you plan to mold your epoxy, get some goop!

Finally, the same tools you feel comfortable using for polymer clay tend to work well for epoxy.  Just remember to wash them often.  Soap and water does the trick.  I often rub the mineral oil over them before I work and after a wash to give an added layer of protection from having that clay set up on my tools.  

Next up, blending and working with the clay and some tips on coloring it yourself!  There is an art to timing here, you won't want to miss it!  If any questions have come up for you, pop them below and I will answer them!  In a short time I'll have the newsletter exclusive project up for newsletter members, you can sign up below!