Make Beautiful Veneers with a Scrap Clay Extruder Technique
This scrap clay extruder technique is about to save you from that pile of polymer clay scraps you’ve been avoiding. Instead of letting those leftovers get tossed into a scrap bin, why not turn them into something awesome? If you’re anything like me, you’re always left with scraps from your polymer clay canes. You know, those ends that mix up into weird shades of purple, greens that never quite work, or just plain ol’ mud. No need to toss it! I’m about to show you how to turn those scraps into a masterpiece with this fun and easy technique.
Why Clay Scraps Deserve a Second Chance
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably tried mixing your cane scraps* into a new color, hoping for a magical, beautiful result—and instead, you’ve ended up with a muddy mess. Oops. It’s a classic struggle: combining a few leftover bits of purple, green, or whatever else you have lying around usually leads to dull, murky colors that are less “artistic masterpiece” and more “clay disaster.” Sound familiar?
Here’s where the scrap clay extruder technique comes to the rescue. Instead of forcing your scraps into a color you hope will work, this method celebrates their individuality. You keep the colors and patterns separate, letting them shine on their own instead of blending into something less than impressive. It’s like giving each scrap its own spotlight—no more hiding them in the shadows of the color wheel.
And the best part? The final slab is so versatile. Those spiralled, multicolored ropes you’ve created can be used for all kinds of projects—from fun jewelry pieces to quirky coasters and even as decorative accents for other clay creations. Imagine turning those scraps into something that actually makes your work stand out instead of hiding in the scrap pile. Sounds much better, right?
*No cane scraps? No sweat! This technique will work with any polymer clay scraps you have on hand. Just make sure to choose a harmonious blend of colors and get to work!
Overview of the Scrap Clay Extruder Technique
The Magic of Chopping
Start by chopping your scraps into smaller, uniform pieces. This step means streaks of color rather than big blobs. Use a rigid polymer clay blade for ease of chopping through the clay. The more evenly sized your pieces are, the better your final result will be. It’s a small task, but it makes a big difference.
Extrusion Transformation
Next, squeeze the clay together and load your it into the extruder. Pop in a disk, and squeeze. The extruder will transform your random bits into colorful, uniform ropes.
Spiralling to Perfection
Now for the fun part—creating spirals. Take your extruded ropes and start winding them into spirals. I like to begin the spiral with the clay in my hands, then stick it to the worktop. The tighter you wind, the neater your results will be.
Shaving and Burnishing
Once your spirals are in place, it’s time to shave. Use a sharp blade to carefully remove a thin layer from the top. This reveals the streaks of color underneath. After shaving, burnish the surface. The result will be a smooth veneer ready for your next project.
Tools and Materials
- Non-porous work surface — I work on either glazed tile or glass
- Pasta machine dedicated to polymer clay use — optional for this technique
- Scrap polymer clay
- Polymer clay blade(s) — I use both rigid and flexible blades for this technique
- Polymer clay extruder and disk with holes approximately 1/8”
- Round cutter
- Acrylic roller
- Parchment paper & your favorite burnishing tool
Instructions | Scrap Clay Extruder Technique
- Chop up your clay into small, uniform pieces. A rigid blade works best for this task.
- Gather up the scraps and squeeze them into a log. Spend some time squeezing everything together tightly so there are no pockets of air.
- Roll the chopped clay log on your work surface until it’s smooth and small enough to fit the barrel of your extruder.
- Load the clay into your extruder and cap it with a disk.
- Extrude your clay. At this point, you can leave your strands as they are or cut them in half. My clay strands are quite long, so I cut them in half. If you want larger spirals, leave the strands as long as possible.
- Grab a strand of clay and wind it into a spiral. I tend to start the spiral in my hands and then stick the center to my worktop to finish winding the clay around.
- Once you’ve got all your strands wound into spirals, choose a round cutter that is approximately the same size. I went with a 1 1/2” cutter.
- Cut a small piece out of one spiral to start. Make sure to cut out the side with the end of the clay strand.
- Place a new spiral into the cutout of the first one and repeat the process.
- Stagger the next row and continue as you did with the first.
- Once all the spirals have been used up, roll over everything to make sure it’s well stuck together.
- Your clay will have a muted look from the colors being dragged over one another while being extruded. If you like the muted look, you can skip the next step. If you like your colors a little brighter, as I do, then continue…
- Using your sharpest blade, carefully shave off a thin layer of clay. Work in small sections and wipe your blade often if you find the clay is sticking.
- Cover the sheet of clay with a piece of parchment paper and burnish with your preferred burnishing tool. I’m using a stainless steel soap for this job.
- Optional: After burnishing, I like to pass the clay through my pasta machine a few times to really smooth things out. I start with a setting that matches the thickness of the clay and pass it through four times, turning the clay a quarter turn each time. If I want the sheet thinner, I’ll repeat this process with the next setting, and so on.
Don’t care for the spirals?
Don’t do them! Create whatever weird and wonderful pattern you’d like with your clay strands. After you’ve used up all the strands carry on with the steps as described.
Tips for Mastering the Scrap Clay Extruder Technique
Choose Your Scraps Wisely:
Not all scraps are created equal, my friend. Make sure the colors in your mix actually play nice together. Don’t go overboard—stick to 3-5 colors max. If your mix is heavy on dark tones, lighten it up with some white or a pale complementary color. And if you’re feeling unsure, do a small test piece before committing to chopping everything up. Trust me, it’ll save you from that “well, crap,” moment.
Mind Your Chop Size:
Size matters. You want your clay chopped finely—not in big, chunky sections. The goal is to have streaks of color throughout, not solid chunks. A rigid blade is your best bet for this job—it’s the secret weapon. I like to use an old cane slicer blade—it’s got zero flex and some nice heft for chopping. Plus, the fact that it’s a little dull doesn’t matter. It’s the perfect tool for this.
Squeeze Smart:
Squeeze the clay together well to get all the air out. Air pockets will blow out your strands during extrusion, and nobody wants that. Plus, the heat from your hands helps soften the clay, making it easier to extrude.
Shave with Care:
This is where precision is key. Use a sharp blade with a little flex to carefully shave off a thin layer of clay. You don’t need to take off a ton—just a delicate, thin layer to reveal the good stuff underneath. Work in small sections, and if the clay starts sticking to your blade, grab a wet wipe between slices. It’ll keep things running smooth.
Conclusion
And there you have it—those cane scraps? No longer destined for the trash. With the scrap clay extruder technique, you’ve transformed that colorful chaos into mesmerizing slabs. It’s an easy and fun way to repurpose your leftover clay into something stunning. Who knew scrap clay could be so fabulous?
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into your scrap bin, grab your extruder, and let’s see those spirals. Join The Polymer Clay Collective on Facebook and share your creations! Or, tag me on Instagram @bysandracallander.
Got questions? Comments? Hilarious clay fails? Drop me a message—I’m here to help (and laugh with you, not at you…promise).
