hi
im wondering when using embossing powder on clay how to you avoid the powder going in the bits you dont want it to go on? do you put powder on before the clay in put in the oven? im sorry if this has been asked before. apologies in advance.

Yes, the powder goes on before it goes into the oven. Be aware that you can't sand the piece so make sure it's smooth before you bake it. If you want to bake it first, sometimes it works to mix the powder with a bit of glaze and use a paint brush to put it on.

Applying powders or mica to raw clay is a challenge because it's difficult to control and keep it where you want it. With mica, it sticks to your finger tip and you can gently rub it where you want it to be. Regular embossing powder is harder because it's coarser. The biggest thing is patience, and don't rush.

I don't put it on the clay..I put it in. [:D]

You can stamp your image with watermark ink, apply the embossing powder and gently blow off the excess.

thanks! it kept going everywhere as i wanted to do smaller pendants. i will try the glaze but what kind of glaze is it?sorry to ask. i dont want to buy the wrong stuff.

Are you only talking about "embossing" powders here? There's a difference between embossing powders and the mica-based metallic powders like Pearl Ex that we often use on polymer clay (and other powders too like mica powders with built in binders, chalk powders, and ground-up pigments of all kinds) since embossing powders will actually react at our baking temps. If they're on top of the clay, they'll melt... and if they're inside the clay, some will "explode" a bit and spread color grains that are near the surface outward a bit. The other powders won't do anything.

For raw clay, if you're talking about most metallic powders and perhaps some embossing powders, they can be applied by lightly wiping a powder-coated-and-tamped finger around the upper areas of a dimensional surface and will stick nicely only to those areas (often called "highlighting"). Some embossing powders might work fine that way, but some may melt down into the lower areas a bit too depending on type and application.
Powders can also be applied to raw clay with a fluffy brush (especially if you want to cover a whole dimensional surface), or they can be applied with a small brush for "painting" more finely wherever needed. They can also be pounced on, etc.

Sometimes also, raw dimensional (or stamped, textured) clay is "completely covered" with powder, then baked... later the top areas of powder can be sanded off leaving the powder only in the depressions (one type of "backfill" or "antiquing").

For baked clay, most powders need to be put into a clear carrier so they'll stick to the clay (could be Varathane, Future, acrylic nail polish, or various other clear mediums... see this page for more on that process, and more on using all kinds of powders with polymer clay:
http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/powders_metallicwaxes.htm
.... click on Clear Mediums to Mix Powders Into). Those are usually applied with a paintbrush, etc.
The problem with embossing powders on baked clay though is that most won't look too good unless they're heated, then you could have the same problems as above.

As mentioned, you can also use some sticky-type agents on a bare stamp, etc., to press onto baked clay as on paper, then apply embossing powder, blow off excess, and heat to melt the powder. (Sticky agents can be a lot of things and you can even buy special pens and pads containing them, but glycerin is basically the same thing... other slow-drying things often used to hold embossing powders on are certain types of ink markers, pigment ink pads, ballpoint pen ink, etc.)


Is that what you wanted to know? Or are you thinking of another type of use or effect?


Diane B.

You can actually apply embossing or mica powders to baked (cured) polymer clay without mixing them with glazes. In order for the powders to stick to the surface, use Pefect Meduim pen or brush by Ranger. These products are available in craft stores in the stamp/ink/embossing powders isle (I bought mine in Joann’s). These pens work similar to markers, except the marks they leave are clear and sticky. Apply the mica powders using a small dry brush to the areas pre-treated with Perfect Medium. You will have better control of distributing the mica powders on the surface this way, since the powders will only stick to the pre-treated areas. You will also be able to do some cool effects that are not possible when the powders are applied to raw clay. I am using this trick in my works pretty often.

Do not forget to apply protective finish (such as Sculpey, Future, or Varathane) to your finished design.

Also, whether you are applying the powders to the raw or cured clay, the easiest way to remove those powders from places you do not want them to be is by using a piece of Scotch. Gently press the sticky side of a piece of Scotch tape to lift the mica powders from the surface of the clay.

I was wondering about those embossing powders...after using the pearl-ex and perfect pearls I bought one jar of embossing powder and I did not like it because it was too coarse...now I understand about it a bit more...will have to try putting it in the clay near the surface and see what happens...thanks for the info!

fenian - I wonder if you bought UTEE (ultra thick embossing). I think it is coarser than the regular embossing powder.

QUOTE: I wonder if you bought UTEE (ultra thick embossing). I think it is coarser than the regular embossing powder.

UTEE is coarser, but still melts. Now I'm wondering though if we were all talking about the colored embossing powders (as I had assumed) or the few that are clear (like UTEE). That could have caused some confusion.

fenian and kookiefrrl, there's a boatload of info on the many ways colored embossing powders can be used with clay (on it, in it, within it, etc.) on the Powders page at my site, if you want to check it out... and UTEE even has ts own separate category:
http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/powders_metallicwaxes.htm
(... click on Embossing Powders...)



Diane B.

thanks eugena thats what i was looking for, now why didnt i think of the pen! i never knew there was one. i will try and find it they have it in uk.

and dabmember thank you for all the info, i will try the highlighting technique. so far only doing it with paint but would like to try the powders. god so much to learn! thanks again.

QUOTE: the pen! i never knew there was one. i will try and find it they have it in uk. . . .

If you can't easily find an embossing pen, or just want to use other things instead to save money/etc., here's something I wrote above you may have missed:

Sticky agents (for embossing powders) can be a lot of things, and you can even buy special pens and pads containing them, but glycerin is basically the same thing ... other slow-drying things often used to hold embossing powders on are certain types of ink markers, pigment ink (pads), ballpoint pen ink, etc.

These sticky agents can be used on stamps to impress on clay, or just to draw, paint, or sponge with, etc., using various implements and materials.


Good luck!

Diane B.