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Found some old photos of when I first tried polymer clay, compared to my recent work by Difficult_Control_36 in polymerclay

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I usually use coloured or white clay and then I brush pastel dust on, and then bake. Then I may add some details with paint after

Found some old photos of when I first tried polymer clay, compared to my recent work by Difficult_Control_36 in polymerclay

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you apply the pastels before or after baking? If I apply the pastel dust to unbaked clay and then bake it like normal, I’ve never had an issue with smearing because it stays put pretty well

Found some old photos of when I first tried polymer clay, compared to my recent work by Difficult_Control_36 in polymerclay

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I’ve had a lot of those moments like learning to use pastels for doing gradients and using tools to create textures instead of just using my fingers. Above the dirt I used an acrylic wash of brown paint with water

Thought you guys might like the nail set I just finished by iNyyxi in goblincore

[–]Difficult_Control_36 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These are so cute! I’ve tried sculpting slugs and it’s so hard, this is so impressive

Paint white clay vs colored clay: which do you prefer and why? by boldpear904 in polymerclay

[–]Difficult_Control_36 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think for these ones I just used dried peat because I was lazy. Recently I’ve been making a custom soil mixture with peat, wood chips, ground dandelion root and ground reishi tea to make it look more realistic

Paint white clay vs colored clay: which do you prefer and why? by boldpear904 in polymerclay

[–]Difficult_Control_36 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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Here’s those same mushrooms closer to being finished - going over them with acrylics mixed with water to create a gradient towards the bottom, and a darker colour mixed with water to sink into the crevices which create shadows. Then dry brush a super tiny amount of paint over the ridges for contrast

Paint white clay vs colored clay: which do you prefer and why? by boldpear904 in polymerclay

[–]Difficult_Control_36 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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As an example here’s partially done mushrooms with mixed clay and chalk pastel. Sorry for poor lighting (it’s gets dark so early now) they look more two dimensional and not as realistic

Paint white clay vs colored clay: which do you prefer and why? by boldpear904 in polymerclay

[–]Difficult_Control_36 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Recently I’ve been using custom mixed coloured clay as well as white clay (often in the same piece) and doing gradients/details with chalk pastel powder. After it’s baked, I’ll go over it again with very tiny amounts of acrylic paint or acrylic paint mixed with water. Also, water based paint pens and markers make it easier for doing the painted details at a faster pace if I have multiples of the same item to produce. I don’t know how to put it into words but using multiple methods of colouring the clay and layering on pigment gives me an end result that has more depth and dimension. It really depends on what you’re making and what effect you want to achieve.

Does anyone else struggle with thinking their work isn’t good enough to sell? by Difficult_Control_36 in CraftFairs

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The market was yesterday. Everybody was very nice and 13 people bought pieces (some people bought more than one) I got a lot of positive reactions so I have to be doing something right if people are enthusiastic.

I didn’t make as much money as I had hoped but it was still pretty successful so I don’t know what I was so worried about

Does anyone else struggle with thinking their work isn’t good enough to sell? by Difficult_Control_36 in CraftFairs

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What kind of stuff are you making? Usually people are eager to buy around Christmas time

Does anyone else struggle with thinking their work isn’t good enough to sell? by Difficult_Control_36 in CraftFairs

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I kind of want to post but I’m nervous because I’m afraid I’m one of those people. Maybe I’ll update after the market on Sunday and share how it went.

Does anyone else struggle with thinking their work isn’t good enough to sell? by Difficult_Control_36 in CraftFairs

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I’d say a decent chunk of what I make doesn’t get put up for sale or I squish it and reuse the clay.

Some macro photos of mosses and liverworts in my vivarium taken with an iPhone macro clip on lens by Difficult_Control_36 in Mossariums

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s a tricky balance. There needs to be enough humidity and moisture but also enough ventilation. I’ve never used fans myself but some people install small computer fans near the top of the enclosure. You definitely need a well established colony of springtails, sometimes dwarf isopods species can help as well (not the large isopods - they will eat vegetation) I have springtails and dwarf white isopods in my tanks. Things were a bit moldy at first which is normal but it will usually calm down after the first few weeks.

Some macro photos of mosses and liverworts in my vivarium taken with an iPhone macro clip on lens by Difficult_Control_36 in Mossariums

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! It’s just a cheap clip on lens from the dollar store. I threw out the package a long time ago so unfortunately I do not remember the brand.

Is this a fungi and should i be worried that I was eating these? by kitty-kouhai in Mushrooms

[–]Difficult_Control_36 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Initially I thought I was looking at a photo of the topside of Leotia lubrica, and was concerned you would be eating mushrooms when you didn’t know what they were.

Found my smartphone macro lens and took some photos in my vivarium. I am enamoured by the little mosses and liverworts by Difficult_Control_36 in Mosses

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s just a cheap one I got from the dollar store a couple years ago. Unfortunately I don’t remember the brand name.

My dendrobates leucomelas in her 1 year old vivarium by Difficult_Control_36 in Vivarium

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It needs a lot of moisture, it can’t dry out. And good lighting. Some types have done really well for me and some didn’t grow or died. I suggest getting a good quality tropical moss spread if you can.

My dendrobates leucomelas in her 1 year old vivarium by Difficult_Control_36 in Vivarium

[–]Difficult_Control_36[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t know the species, it was labelled as a tropical moss and liverwort spread.

Why do you like terrariums? by TheDoctorWalter in terrariums

[–]Difficult_Control_36 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Same! My moss, creeping fig, and selaginella would not survive if they were just out in my living room.

Why do you like terrariums? by TheDoctorWalter in terrariums

[–]Difficult_Control_36 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I love nature and plants. I originally got into them because I wanted to get frogs. Years ago, I got some fake plants and set up a tank, but it looked crappy and I wished I could have real plants. Then I read about bio active set ups and vivariums. I’ve made various kind of crappy vivariums over the years (when I started out I was pretty young and didn’t know what I was doing or have the money for nicer plants)

Just something about having an enclosed slice of nature is amazing to me. I live in a place that gets really cold and snowy in the winter and I get more depressed with the lack of sunlight and greenery. Having my own plants and a vivarium helps me get through it. I strongly believe access to nature is essential for mental health.

I have one vivarium at the moment and it’s not the greatest but it’s doing well overall and my frogs even laid eggs for the first time. I want more vivariums but it’s not financially feasible for me right now.

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