Nyrath's caveats WRT handling polymer clay
I have yet to personally work with polyclay. When I was preparing to do so, Winchell "Nyrath the Nearly Wise" Chung kindly sent me these words of advice.
Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 06:58:18 -0400
From: Nyrath the nearly wise
To: Eric Zuckerman
Subject: Re: Feats of Clay
Eric Zuckerman wrote:
>
> L L Cool Doc wrote:
> > The Fimo wasn't soft enough, but it worked. The pieces are not standard
> > size (there was no standard then) and bulge slightly at the sides, but
> > not enough to hinder a game.
> >
> a) How do you think you can get around having them
> bulge?
>
I suppose you can sand the suckers, but be careful.
The dust is toxic. [Ed. note: I think he means "wear a
filtration mask".]
Read all the directions on the package: wash your hands
after handling the uncooked clay, and keep the room you
are baking the clay in well ventilated.
This is why polymer clay is *NOT* recommended to
make pipes, ashtrays, or inscense burners.
##########
Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 19:28:06 -0400
From: Nyrath the nearly wise
To: Eric Zuckerman
Subject: Re: Measurements (Was: Re: Feats of Clay)
There are a few more caveats you probably should add:
[1] Don't eat any food while you are handling
polyclay.
[2] If you use a knife or other kitchen utensil
to mold the clay, never EVER use it with food again.
I don't care how well you wash it.
[3] You really shouldn't bake it in the same oven
you cook food in. To be really safe, get an old
toaster oven and only use it to cook polyclay.
And you might consider locating the toaster oven
*outside*, where there is plenty of ventilation.
Looking at all that, it's a wonder anybody
gets close to the stuff. But it really looks wonderful
when it's done.
Thanks for posting my caveats!
Last updated 1998/12/22
