I began my sculpting career over 30 years ago as a young married army wife. We lived on a soldiers income and there was not any funds left after necessities were taken care of. So, I had to be creative and find ways to still create, as it was a must for me to create. It's just something that lives deep in my soul to be creative. I bought my first pack of sculpey clay, as back then it was only $1 and I only had a dollar literally. I remember feeling bad spending that dollar. Well now that I had the pack of clay, I had no tools to create with. I used a pencil for a pointy tool, knitting needles, sewing needles, and a small paring knife. I am writing this blog to maybe reach those who do not have lots of funds for creating and to show there are many ways to still achieve being creative with little or no means. I am also a big recycler and I will share a few of those ideas in future post. Did you know you can take a needle and make a clay handle on it and presto you now have a pointy clay tool. I also like to hot glue buttons onto ends of pieces of wood to make my own impression tools.
I made two bunnies out of that little pack of clay and thus this is where it all began.
I made two bunnies out of that little pack of clay and thus this is where it all began.
| Below is a picture of a basic set of sculpting tools for any beginner. I do sell these in my etsy shop. I find alot of people go out and buy fancy tools and then end up never really using most of them so I have put together a basic set. All my patterns to date can be sculpted with just this set. Also, remember if you can't afford tools make them with things laying around the house. Just don't re-use any kitchen utensils after using in sculpting compounds.  | The one tool I most recommend is the "Steel Blade" This tool is great to pick up and remove something from your work surface without mis-shaping the piece you are working on. It is also a good slicer to slice of your sculpting material. My #1 one tool!!!!! It never leaves my side.  |
| Example:A wooden tool versus a pencil, same thing.  | Example: Round wooden tool versus a piece of quikwood sculpted and cured. I bet you never thought to use sculpting compound to shape your tools.  | Large needle inserted into quikwood to make a handle and cured, Instant point tool.  | Good Old Fashioned knitting needle makes a great tool for smaller mouth openings.  |
Buttons, Buttons, break out those old buttons! If you don't have wood handles to glue them to make quikwood handles and now you have instant impression tools. These are some of mine I made over 25 plus years ago.
I 'll sign out with this one last quote to help inspire someone maybe with little to no means that has a passion to want to create with the photo below, and just like this little mouse, if you have the will there is a way!!!
Be creative!
Wendy
Be creative!
Wendy
