DIY Polymer Clay Tools | Make a Custom Rainbow Jig
DIY polymer clay tools are fun to make and this tutorial is all about using up some polymer clay scraps to make a rainbow jig.
I have seven containers for my polymer clay scraps in my storage cabinet. I use the six smaller bins to sort out my scraps according to color—reds/pinks, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples.
The larger bin is always the fullest and it holds all the scraps that have so much color in them they’ll just mix into mud. I have a love/hate relationship with that particular bin.
I hate it because it’s always full. Ever since I brought that bin home from the dollar store I don’t think I’ve seen the bottom.
I kinda love it though because I like coming up with ways to utilize that clay.
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I know, I know. I could just buy some Kato Blackout and be done with it and I will one day, but today’s not that day.
Today, I’m raiding that bin for some DIY polymer clay tools. Specifically, rainbow jigs.
I made my first rainbow jig in 2021 when I was making some groovy retro inspired rainbows earrings. I had a bit of trouble making the curves of the rainbows consistent. Taking inspiration from jigs used for wire jewelry making I designed my own custom retro rainbow jig. It worked great and I still use it.
The biggest problem I have with that jig is I sometimes mar the back of the rainbows with my blade as I slide it under the rainbow to lift it off.
The solution? Bake it on the jig!
These newly designed rainbow jigs use a paper template to mark where the cutter shapes go—which is much easier than trying to measure that out on raw clay—and then you bake the rainbows right on the jig with the paper.
Grab your scraps and get ready for some DIY polymer clay tools.
Tools & Materials
- Non-porous work surface—I work on either glazed tile or glass
- Scrap polymer clay
- Pasta machine dedicated to polymer clay use—I use an Atlas 180 and will refer to the settings I use on my machine. If you don’t have a pasta machine an acrylic roller and some playing cards will do in a pinch, it’ll just take a little more work
- Acrylic rod or brayer
- 3” x 5” index cards
- Pencil and ruler
- Small shape cutters suitable for rainbow centers
- Craft knife and cutting mat
- Liquid clay
- Tile for baking polymer clay on
Directions for DIY Polymer Clay Tools | Rainbow Jig
On the backside of an index card draw a lengthwise line through the center. Draw horizontal lines 1.5” in from each side.
Center your shape cutter over the two spots where the lines cross and draw an outline around it.
Cut out the shape along the outline using a craft knife and cutting mat.
Gather up some polymer clay scraps and condition them by running through a pasta machine. Once the clay is well conditioned sheet it on the thickest setting (no.0 on my Atlas).
Lay the sheet of clay on a baking tile and gently roll over it with an acrylic rod to make sure it sticks well to the tile.
Place the index card template on the clay and trim excess clay to the edges of the card.
Place your shape cutter in the index card cutouts and press just hard enough to make a light impression. Remove the index card.
From the clay trimmings cut out two pieces with your shape cutter. Dab a little liquid clay on the back of each piece and center them on the shape cutter impressions.
Bake at the recommended temperature for the brand of clay you’re using for 45 minutes.
Directions for Use
Place the index card back on the jig and make a rainbow with ropes of clay. Trim the rainbow to your desired length and bake the whole thing in the oven.
Carefully remove the cured rainbow from the jig as it may initially stick to the sides of the shape cutout and need a little coaxing to let go.
Notes
Polymer clay can be baked multiple times so these jigs will last awhile. If the index card needs replacing simply use the old card to mark a new one so the placement of the cutouts stays the same.
Want to make more than one pair of rainbows at a time? You could:
- Make multiple jigs.
- Make a larger jig using a sheet of card stock cut to the appropriate size rather than an index card.
- Or, you could have multiple index card templates and switch them out as you make each pair. That way you don’t have to handle the rainbows, just keep them on the index card for baking.
Get creative with the shapes and make multiple styles!
It’s fun to get creative with DIY polymer clay tools and I hope you’ll try this rainbow jig tutorial.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, I’m happy to hear from you.
This is great because the ones I’ve found online are ridiculously priced.
Yes, it’s fun to shop for new polymer clay tools but they do add up. I’m glad you found this helpful!