Ok, so it's not really my first time as a crocheter. But it IS my first time blogging about it. I'm inspired to start as I've recently become a Doris Chan fan, having just heard of her on a crochet show I watch here and there.
Anyway I wanted to put up some pictures of some hooks I have done up with polymer clay. I did these forever ago, but was inspired to send a pic up for Doris to see after reading her recent blog post about Etimo hooks. I buy the clay canes from artists online and then use slices to do up Boye hooks mainly, but I've gotten other hooks from yard sales that weren't Boye. I do this mainly for myself; I have FMS and developing arthritis in my hands and it just gets challenging to hold the little hooks. Anyway, I'd be happy to share my tips for making these hooks yourself, I know the picture isn't great but that is also the main reason I've never ended up putting any of my stuff online. But I've recently come to the realization that everyone has the same problem, so I'm just going to hold my breath and jump in!
Its a start, good job hun!
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely! I'm interested in hearing how you made these. I bought a book on polymer clay but have been afraid to take the leap and actually make something. :)
ReplyDeleteOh sure, it's easy if you buy the clay cane from an artist, although if you were going to sell them, I'm not sure how that would work. I went on ebay myself but I have found clay artists making amazing things on etsy.com as well. I'm not good at the clay work myself but this is easy, which is good for me!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, just condition some polymer clay and mold it to the hook. My experience has been best by working it on in small chunks, what you can pinch off. Mold it to the hook, paying attention to where it flares for your thumb and making sure the clay is flaring too. Keep it in a fairly think coating. Then just slice a thin slice of the cane and set it where you want it.
That's about it really, I end it by sort of rolling the clay with a piece of paper towel to put a little bit of a texture on it. Seems to work better and wipes out the copious fingerprints you make doing this stuff. Then just cook according to instructions.
The cool thing is, if you mess it up badly, you can always cut off the bad clay and re do it. OH! And be sure to only use metal, since you have to cook it after you're done.
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