Pipe-cleaners

[fantail]

Hi here is my tip probably the only one ever and it’s my own at least I didn’t hear it from any one else but if it helps some on out there, Great!
Wait for it.



Pipe cleaners


you put PVA glue on it and let it dry when the fury stuff is completely stiff it allows the clay to stick to it
Now its not perfect cause the pipe-cleaner’s wire sometimes rust (as a result of the moisture I guess) sometimes it doesn’t??? It does a lot lately.
Its great for armatures the clay sticks to it and doesn’t bubble around it as with other smooth wire but make sure it’s a lot smaller then the object you are sculpting.
I always find bits popping out of the clay ‘cause I didn’t make it small enough
But I like it for fingers and if you trim back some of the fur you can use it for smaller things like I do for my clay cats

[anubis4]

Now that is interesting.. I have used wire and tape which gets me sometimes because the clay just wont stick in places, it takes ages to get the air out ( it did on the Mage he almost ended up with one hand ) Will have to give that one ago. I have become an expert with pipe-cleaners I use them for the fingers in my cloth dolls...... now to get used to down sizing for the little clay creatures......

[fantail]

Just make sure the fur is all stiff or the clay won't stick
If its not just add more glue and let dry

[kimmie]

Ohhhh thanks for that fantail I have such trouble bending the wire for armatures that I actually have given up on it. But pipe cleaners should do the trick nicely

[fantail]

Glad my first tip might be useful.
Just make sure that you don't use too much clay on the pipe cleaner ie. when making big things cause it might not be strong enough to support it.
I think it might be possible to use a combination of stronger wire and pipe-cleaners or to do series baking