Polymer clay

Re: Dust and lint

tikibeans — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:50:34 GMT

Hi Everyone, I know I kind of took you all off topic a bit...but I wanted to thank you for your responses and also let you know that I am doing GREAT!!!! I am going to get back into some jewelry making over the next while and will definitely contact this site for help if and when I get stuck or have questions.

I feel very comfortable with everyone here and look forward to learning more hints and tips on jewelry from your posts.

Thanks again!

June

Re: Dust and lint

dressagewoman — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:22:22 GMT

Linelle:
During my darkest hour, my cats stayed close to me and never did that aloof thing that I think is a myth anyway. My cats have earned completed dictatorship over my house. I am their helpless and obedient servant.

We are getting fiercely off topic, but... when ever I am feeling very bad, if I lay down on the bed one kitty will come and wash my face and another will curl up behind my knees... our third kitty probably meets the aloof description -- she loves to play with fetch with those fluffballs that come in catnip jars, and she is downright bossy when she wants the maid (aka me) to come and fix something in her room (aka my studio) but she really doesn't like to be touched. SHe had a rough kittenhood...

Re: Dust and lint

jilla — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:09:01 GMT

Thanks Julie for making it clear that sanding gives hope to remove lovingly-deposited pet fur. It never occured to me to leave it there until after baking - always tend to think towards perfect BEFORE hitting the oven.

Off to the groomer to cut down on big, bold, long, thick, Chocolate Lab hair!

Re: Dust and lint

Linelle — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:29:30 GMT

Wow, June. What an incredibly honest and brave thing to say. And very true. Even in those very dark times, just having someone be present for you can make all the difference. Isn't amazing how laughter can find you even when you think it's the last thing you can manage?

This is a great group and you've already picked up on that. It may not get all the traffic and buzz that other boards have, but it's special in other ways.

During my darkest hour, my cats stayed close to me and never did that aloof thing that I think is a myth anyway. My cats have earned completed dictatorship over my house. I am their helpless and obedient servant.

Re: Dust and lint

tikibeans — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:50:50 GMT

Hi Everyone, You have no idea how much all of you have made me laugh and at a time when I have just been crying uncontrolably. I do not tell you this for sympathy as I will work things out and am usually a very strong person ... just have to kick my behind etc LOL.

However, I tell you this because I do not think that people realize how much they help others by just being themselves and open and honest and funny. The information you give to help with jewelry making is but a small piece of the wonderful good you do! I am very glad to have happened into your blog! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the laughter you have given to me and hopefully I will make you smile (when I stop the stupid crying LOL).

Thanks again,

June

Re: Dust and lint

jules22 — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:13:51 GMT

I love this thread - made me laugh out loud several times! My dog is always underfoot in my studio, my cat goes where he damn well pleases, and the cleaning gene is noticeably missing from my DNA...so "inclusions" are just a matter of course. Other than inspecting the clay and removing obvious offenders, there are only two rules I try to follow:

1) no rolling around on the floor with my dog right before heading into the studio

2) in the event I do end up with tiny fibers/lint on the surface of my ivory clay, I try mightily to refrain from picking at them. Once you cure the clay, you stand a much better chance of sanding them off and ending up with a smooth surface. Trying to remove the inclusion prior to curing invariably leaves some sort of indentation, no matter how careful you are.

Thanks for the laughter this morning! :)

Re: Dust and lint

LJ Rosen — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:18:38 GMT

June,

Around my house "Interference by cats" is a given and allowable whether I am playing a card game with friends or working on a project. It is pretty easy to control the hair issue, it's keeping them from eating wire and beads that sometimes becomes a challenge. When they get in that mood I put the project away for a bit and play with them!

Re: Dust and lint

dressagewoman — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:11:31 GMT

Linelle:
Hey June, welcome to the board. My cats come first. If their fur gets in the way of doing something, I modify what I'm doing.

What she said.

Re: Dust and lint

Linelle — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:56:42 GMT

Hey June, welcome to the board. My cats come first. If their fur gets in the way of doing something, I modify what I'm doing. Every couple of weeks I have a group that meets at my house. Part of the housecleaning I do is to remove as much fur as possible from where they sit. Occasionally one of my two cats will stroll in, sniff folks and either join in or saunter on out.

Re: Dust and lint

tikibeans — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:01:36 GMT

Hi, I have not made a lot of jewelry and all so far has been very begginer. I am replying to this blog because I love that all of you have animals that are important to you and the dust etc and fir not that important. I have found that most people are not open to accepting this. With 5 cats and a lot more that are wild and we feed along with racoons etc. I too have lots of hair and it has bothered me. I love all of your comments and this makes me feel so much better! You all sound so very honest and open.

Thank You

June

Re: Dust and lint

Bentiron — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:25:05 GMT

Housecleaning and jewelery making are not compatible activities are they? I know some folk that can work on a car in slacks, white shirt and tie and not get dirty while others get within ten feet of a car that needs repair and they are instantly dirty. I can have my bench all cleaned up and think about making a piece of jewelery and within ten minuets I have half of my tools on the bench. Well it is the same with me and clay, clean the room, set up the HEPA filter in the room the night before, walk into the room to work on the clay and there is a fist full of dog hair on the table where the clay is. I know the shed in full swing but I guess that I'm going to have to live with it.

Re: Dust and lint

dressagewoman — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:23:01 GMT

It didn't bother me until I tried to make something WHITE then I noticed the lint and dust sticking out like sore thumbs. I suspect my solution will be don't do that or figure out how to consider it an inclusion. The solution that sounded most plausible for actually working to eliminate the problem reminds me of entering a cleanroom, and I'm not about to start stocking bunny suits! The concept of keeping one of our 1 3/4 bathrooms perfectly clean made me cry. I hope I am better at making jewelry than keeping house!

Re: Dust and lint

beadme — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:12:57 GMT

Bentiron - I've used white clay that has teeny pieces of 'stuff' and it didn't matter, course I was usually making something with other colors, too.

Re: Dust and lint

Bentiron — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:19:57 GMT

Is some cat/dog hair and some just plain old dust going to be that detremential to the clay? Not a ton of it but just the odd floating bit going to change the look that much?

Re: Dust and lint

LJ Rosen — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:26:24 GMT

You can also try using a inonizer that will ionize the air and make the dust fall. Before you start with the clay run it awhile then clean off the surfaces before. Another thing to try would be to spray a very fine mist of water to capture the dust in the air and have it settle to surfaces, then gently clean the sufaces before starting.

LJRosen