r/polymerclay

Image 1 — Is anyone else getting discouraged by AI and 3D printing?
Image 2 — Is anyone else getting discouraged by AI and 3D printing?
Image 3 — Is anyone else getting discouraged by AI and 3D printing?
Image 4 — Is anyone else getting discouraged by AI and 3D printing?
Image 5 — Is anyone else getting discouraged by AI and 3D printing?
Image 6 — Is anyone else getting discouraged by AI and 3D printing?

Is anyone else getting discouraged by AI and 3D printing?

I am fairly new to selling my art regularly. I started about 2 years ago and go to conventions and Art shows when I can. I do okay, but i find a lot of people asking me if I 3D printed my figures and then smile and pass over my work when they see the price point. I don't even charge what these things are worth based on time, materials, etc.

I dunno, I feel like AI and 3D printing are stealing my joy in creating.

Also, I want to clarify, I don't want to demonize 3D printing. I admire people who can sculpt and print their own intricate designs or printing useful tools is really cool. I just get sick of seeing all the crappy fidgets being produced en mass.

Photos are of a few things I have made.

u/Thelavalampkid — 4 days ago
▲ 190 r/polymerclay+1 crossposts

New to Reddit! I sculpted this little polymer clay wildlife figurines. I'd love to know what you think!

Hey everyone! This is my second post on Reddit. I am feeling a bit unsure of posting here. Until now I only browsing reddit, but seeing some very helpful comments and feedback to others I thought I will try. I really need some feedback from you. I’ve been working on a woodland wildlife series bears, foxes, and owls. They are my first polymer clay creations.

I’m still trying to get better at my technique, so I would love some honest, constructive feedback on them! (Especially on things like the fur/feather textures or the overall shaping).

Any feedback would be great!!!

u/RepulsiveDance1892 — 4 days ago

Today I made a croissant

New to polymer clay. This is my 4th time handling clay. As it started to come together I couldn't help but laugh

So cute, so small and made by me. Lol ❤️🤣

u/Flaky_Soft999 — 4 days ago

My first time making clay food 😂

After looking at all of your creations i realize mine isn’t anywhere near as good 😂😂

u/Delicious_Fan6331 — 4 days ago

My current project. She will be a unicorn!

Ideas for what color to paint her are very welcomed! i enjoy natural tones but fantasy colors are fun as well (maybe lavender/purples)

u/nastyydog — 11 days ago

Oogie Boogie done just in time for October!

My most recent project, a gift for a friend who’s a big big fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas. He glows under blacklight!

u/The_Robins_Nest — 12 days ago

It really is a good idea to do projects twice !

I tried sculpting a Pikachu face, and let’s just say… the first one was definitely not my best lol 😅

I told myself I’d make another one right after, and I actually surprised myself with how much better it turned out! It’s so satisfying and motivating to see improvement happen that quickly when you’re just starting to learn how to sculpt.

The only thing I’m still not super happy with is the paint job 🥲 Since I had to be careful not to get any yellow on the eyes or cheeks, I feel like the paint ended up looking uneven and badly layered.

Any tips for getting a smoother, cleaner paint job would be really appreciated! 😊

u/AniPawClay — 12 days ago

Bibbin! Made with polymer clay and painted with acrylics.

Hey! This is one of my latest miniatures made with Cosclay Sculpt Medium Firm, Cosclay Stretch FX, floral wire, and acrylics.

u/mr_spacelobster — 12 days ago

Cracks after painting HELP

Hi everyone!!

Unfortunately, my strawberry bunny has shown some hairline cracks. They are fine lines and I do have a lot of paint layers on this particular sculpt... so that would be nice if its just the paint (apple barrel), but I'm not sure.

I used sculpey (and a blend of different sculpey clay. Some areas I thickened with a different kind of sculpey. Unfortunately I forget which one).

I baked him at 265 F for about 30 min plus multiple re bakes, as I was adding things to him. I imagine I rebaked him about 3 times for about 10-15 min each time (so he baked for a little over an hour). He has an armature underneath but no foil, so he is pretty thick! The thickest part of him being 38 mm so about 1.5 inches.

I think based on the instructions I was supposed to bake him for 3 hours! I didn't really think of the consequences of not baking it long enough, lol....

I used apple barrel acrylics and it does have a matte acrylic finish. Should I rebake him to ensure he's fully cured? Will the bunny keep cracking if I don't re bake him?

Also how should I fix the current cracks?

Would really appreciate the advice!! I hope he's not ruined 💔

u/lycnroc — 12 days ago

Underbaked clay with earrings ??

I make clay earrings and am working on perfecting them so I reduce broken earrings. I read somewhere that when you’re hand drilling (with a pin vise) the holes for jump rings, that if it comes out crumbly while drilling it means it’s underbaked and that it should pull out a perfect spiral when baked correctly. Is this true? I tested with a baked piece and when drilling it was crumbly, but it did have slight bend to it (which is what I thought correctly baked pieces feel like)… leading me to think it is baked correctly? So I’m just confused by the mixed messages I’m getting. Any advice on how to tell the difference between when it’s underbaked/overbaked/baked perfectly is great. I don’t exactly want to put a ton of stress on my earrings and ruin them by testing them… but I do want to know if Im baking them correctly. Thank you in advance!!

Oh and I’m mainly using sculpey premo, though some sculpey lll and some Fimo. I baked them for 270 degrees (checked with an oven thermometer), for an hour, tented with tinfoil.

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u/Amickel2 — 12 days ago

First time trying polymer clay!

Pretty much a silly rat. Hes got some specs on him after being handled by my niece..

u/Desperate_Side3460 — 12 days ago

I’ve been making Porcupinecones

Hello! 👋 I’m not a very frequent poster on Reddit, but I wanted to share some of my little critters I’ve been making.

I got into polymer clay when I found a bunch at the dollar store and five below, and now I’m completely unable to stop making these porcupinecones. The finished ones have all been given as gifts, and the witch trio are all WIP waiting to have their faces painted on.

feedback is appreciate! I’ve only been working with clay for a few months, but I think I’m finally settling into a style I like. Have a lovely day! 💜

u/Aggravating-Jelly-39 — 13 days ago

Bowl from a Helen Briel tutorial

This bowl is about 4” across, ade from Kato clay, two handmade textures, and mica powders. Sealed with varathane. The tut is “Mad about Bowls” from Helen’s website.

u/Gilladian — 12 days ago