Modeling and Sculpting Tools for Miniaturists

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

These tools come in a wide range of tip styles and sizes so consider if you need rounded or sharp edges before you buy them.

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, epoxy putty and wax. Sharpened dental tools are often also used for some woodcarving and scraping.

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

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. These are useful tools where you need to level material across an area as the looped blades can rest on the raised areas while you draw in material to fill lower gaps.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.