Can Anyone Make Millefiore beads with Homemade Polymer Clay?

Hi!!

Please let me know if you know of anyone who can make millefiore beads and canes with homemade clay.

Thanks,
Melisa

Hi Melisa,

I don't want you to think I've forgotten your request. I haven't been able to find any polymer clay crafters who do millefiore canes with homemade clay because they all use store bought clay.

In fact a common reaction has been, "Why would anyone want to do that?!" They don't relate to what it's like living where Sculpey and Fimo aren't readily available and affordable.

I translated this from Fiona Guagliano's Enchanted World. I don't speak Italian but my Spanish is pretty good so I think this is close.

"The cornstarch clay, or cold porcelain (also called Porcelanicrom), unlike the synthetic clays on the market, can be prepared at home using simple materials to find and, once you learn with a little practice in preparing it, allows you to create similar porcelain clay pieces, moisture resistant and almost indestructible (if dropped or thrown from the balcony of the house, I assure you that they will remain intact ...:-).

Once prepared, the mixture is maintained for a long time kept in tightly closed plastic bags, and air hardens, eliminating the hassle of using the oven to cook at home, especially if you want to cook something to eat at the same time.

This clay models more or less like commercial clay, and it’s not necessary to use glue to join pieces, although many books recommend it.

In addition, you can paint it directly mixed with a bit of tempera or acrylic (remember that the color becomes darker as the object hardens), or paint the piece when finished."

I think Fiona would give you the same advice I did in Making Polymer Clay Millefiore Beads: experiment until you get the consistency you need and then go for it!

Good luck!
Eileen

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