Modeling and Sculpting Tools for Miniaturists

Rolling pin - for rolling out thin layers of creative paperclay, clay, modeling material for casting, or polymer clay. Acrylic rolling pins such as this one are small, very even and easy to use and clean. If you cannot find an acrylic rolling pin in your craft suppliers, a plastic supply house may be able to cut you a length of plexiglass material to use.

Clay Extruding Gun - Clay guns are useful for pushing out particular shapes or long strings of clay, modeling material, or polymer clay. Some formers also work with Creative Paperclay, others catch on paperclay. These are an inexpensive tool available from a craft supplier which work similar to a cookie press. These generally work well with the softer brands of polymer clay. Firmer brands may need varying amounts of softener added in order to successfully press out a clay shape.

Flexible Blade Knife - These blades are great for slicing through canes of polymer clay, but they also work well for scoring lines for tiles in paperclay surfaces, or cutting through other soft structures including florist arranging foam.

Rubber Stamps - Rubber stamps can be dusted with talcum powder as a release, and used with most forms of clay to create textures or designs. Paperclay and some brands of polymer clay will accept inks and embossing ink applied directly to them using a stamp.

Beads - Beads make useful texturing tools for miniature projects. A bead with a strong design can be turned into a miniature rolling pin by inserting a toothpick through the centre. Using beads as texturing tools allows for all kinds of special effects.

Clay Modeling Tools – Wooden modeling tools are available from pottery and clay suppliers. They are also often available from craft suppliers or online. These tools are very useful for creating smooth edges, or curves on items to be modeled. They can help you control the curve on a three dimensional shape as well as cut lines in most modeling materials.

Clay Cleaning Tools/Knives – Often used to clean up greenware, the various curved knives available are also useful for working with polymer clay and paperclay.

Mini Ribbon or Loop Tools – narrow loops of metal can be used to smooth corners and curves, pull out small amounts of clay, or create texture or patterns.

Dental Tools - Dental tools are useful for carving away flash on resin castings or carving out bits of cured polymer clay. They can also be used to create fine detail lines on items, or model all types of clay and wax.

Rubber or Silicone Tipped Shaping Tools – Available from art supply stores, these tools allow very controlled shaping of paperclay, clay and softer polymer clays. They can be used to move moistened paper clay around to fill tiny gaps, and the larger tips will burnish dry paper clay if the tip is moistened slightly.

Oven Thermometer - Most ovens do not work at the temperature shown on the oven. If you will be doing a lot of work with polymer clay, you may want to purchase a stand alone oven thermometer which can be used to make sure your oven is reaching the correct temperature for the brand of polymer clay you are using.