Polymer Clay Mica Shift Tutorial: No-Slice Method, Plexiglas Finish (PDF Download)

Polymer Clay tutorial Diva Designs Mica Shift Technique No Slicing Plus Plexiglas Finishing Lesson

This tutorial instructs you how to achieve mica shift without the traditional slicing and can be used with the shallowest and deepest etched rubber stamps and texture sheets.

Mica shift is created using metallic clay that contains mica particles. When done correctly, the mica shift technique produces a chatoyant or "ghost" effect. The mica particles in the clay align and the surface is embossed or stamped with a design, then the raised areas are removed. When the mica particles are aligned correctly, the areas which are revealed beneath the surface leave behind a darker color of the clay and the colors shift when viewed at different angles, creating a 3-D effect.

The tutorial contains 22 pages and lots of step-by-step, clear, color photographs to help explain the process, as well as tips which will help you make create foolproof mica shift pieces. It is aimed at those of you who have wanted to try mica shift, one of the more beautiful techniques associated with polymer clay, but were intimidated by the traditional method of slicing, which requires a very steady hand and a flexible, razor sharp tissue blade. The traditional method also requires the shaved clay sheets be compressed in a pasta machine to level the surface before baking, which I found only dilutes the design and blurs the lines in the pattern. My method grew out of my frustration with not being able to achieve a nice, consistent pattern surface. My hand is not steady enough and I was always getting cuts from the flexible blade. The only step you need a blade for with my method is to cut out your pendant shape.

Some basic knowledge and experience with polymer clay is helpful, but not absolutely necessary. There are a few basic tools and supplies you will need to purchase if you have not worked with polymer clay, all of which are detailed in the tutorial, none of which are expensive or hard to find.

This tutorial was road tested prior to publication and given the seal of approval for ease of use by a few of my friends and colleagues, some of whom have no experience with polymer clay and some of whom are renowned polymer clay artists. If you have any questions after purchasing it, or need clarification about any step or instruction, I am just an email away and will gladly answer any questions or clarify any step you do not understand. While learning with this tutorial, it is my intent to give you as much information as possible without actually being there beside you as you work.

Also included with this tutorial is one of my finishing tutorials on using plexiglas or acrylic sheets to refine and shape your polymer work. The plexiglas supplement was originally written as part of my image transfer series, so the photos illustrate a transfer piece. The process, however, is exactly the same, regardless of the technique with which it is used.

I accept PayPal and direct credit card payments through Etsy, so if you do not have a Paypal account or live in a country which does not allow PayPal transactions, you have the option of paying by credit card.

You will need Adobe Reader to access the tutorial. If you do not have the Adobe Reader program, you may download it at no cost at www.adobe.com.

Trish Hodgens at www.polyclayplay.com has generously agreed to offer my customers a discount off the supplies in my tutorials that she carries. Trish will carry as many of the supplies and materials as possible used in my tutorials. Each tutorial has its own discount code, and I will email it to you upon purchase. If you don't hear from me within 24 hours, please contact me here through Etsy.

NOTICE: You may sell work you create using this tutorial, but any redistribution, re-sale or reproduction of the tutorial itself, in whole or in part, in ANY form, is strictly prohibited. If I determine that you are redistributing or selling any part of my tutorials, you will be barred from purchasing from my shop and I will take whatever legal action available to me to prosecute the theft of my property. To be clear, this means you may not share any part of this tutorial with a friend or family member who has not paid me for that additional copy or material first. If you want to order a copy for someone else, I would be happy to deliver it to an email address of your choosing as a gift from you. You may not share a print-out of, or your actual digital copy of, this tutorial with any other person who has not paid me for it first, such as a polymer clay class, or guild meeting with another person, either in person or digitally via Skype or other internet outlets or social media websites. I regret that I even have to mention this, but unfortunately, it has become necessary to address this issue.


I DO NOT ISSUE REFUNDS FOR TUTORIALS WHICH HAVE BEEN DOWNLOADED.

Thank you so much!

Lynda



THE PHOTOS SHOWN IN THIS LISTING ARE PENDANTS AND BROOCHES I HAVE MADE USING THIS METHOD OF MICA SHIFT AND ARE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY TO SHOW YOU WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THIS TUTORIAL.

Feedback for this tutorial:

"All the 3 tutorials I have purchased have been so clear and carefully produced. Excellent teaching and very fast response to the order! Thank you"

"Absolutely delighted with this tutorial! Lynda went above and beyond to answer my questions and sent the tutorial almost instantly! I will definitely be returning as a customer, and give Lynda and her shop the highest recommendation! <3"

"You should write a book. I've bought three polymer clay books and I have learned more from your tutorials than the books I have bought."

"Nicely written tutorial, easy to understand. Seller is very accommodating. Delivery was timely and questions about the process are welcome."

"If you have ever been intimidated about working with polymer, buy one of Lynda's tutorials. She won't let you be intimidated. She explains everything in detail in a way that is easy to follow, she also keep up with you after the sale. I love that she really cares about her customers so much."

"Wonderful tutorial- very easy to follow-great photos-amazing work-thank you-can't wait until the next tutorial."

"Wow, was this was an "aha" moment. I swear, in all the years I've been working with polymer clay, it never occurred to me to think of this method, and probably never would have without your help, but good gosh, what a difference it makes! You are a genius! I will definitely be back to check out your other tutorials."

"If you follow the simple and very easy instructions, your mica shift will be perfect. This is absolutely fool proof. All of Lynda's tutorials get me so excited. I read through one and am immediately motivated to get started. The tutorials are technically fantastic, but so much FUN, too!"