cog tutorial by katersacres - learn to sculpt whimsical...

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Steampunk Cog / Gear How to Make Your Own Polymer Clay Gear to Use in Steampunk Designs

Disclaimer This is a basic sculpting tutorial appropriate for beginners as well as seasoned clayers.

This tutorial can also be used for sugar paste, gumpaste, & other

sculpting disciplines.

This tutorial is copyright protected by KatersAcres; including but not limited to

text, photographs, & tutorial itself. Expressed written permission must

be obtained before distributing.

This tutorial is copyright

protected by KatersAcres. Do not distribute without written

consent of author.

Steampunk Cog Tutorial Steampunk designs are all the rage, but what if you don’t have that perfect cog, gear, or sprocket? Don’t you want a great way to make your own? One that will be strong and stable? This is the tutorial for you.

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NOTICE: This project will take anywhere from 1

hour to 2 hours to create. Allow yourself plenty of “create” time.

Baking time not included in estimate.

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KATER’S ACRES HOW TO MAKE A STEAMPUNK COG/GEAR/SPROCKET IN POLYMER CLAY

Materials Needed: • Polymer Clay in Gold or Bronze • Graduated Circle Cutters • Clay Blade &/or Exacto Knife • 18 Gauge Wire • Your Hands • Mica Powders • Oven • Varnish

(Optional)

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Make Your Basic “Cog” Shape • Using ½ a block of metallic clay, roll

each ¼ section through the thickest setting in your pasta machine.

• Cut two of your largest rounds.

• Stack the rounds on top of each other making sure to remove the air bubbles.

• Cut the center out using the smaller cutter.

See diagram at right for better understanding.

TIP: You can use one solid slab of clay, double it, and then cut your rounds. If you choose this option, please be sure to double

check and make sure there are no bubbles in the clay.

Let’s Get Started! This tutorial assumes that you have a basic knowledge and understanding of polymer clay. Please prepare & condition clay & blends accordingly BEFORE assembling or making your

Gargoyle. If you are unfamiliar with polymer clay, feel free to check out my website where you can find

lots of information regarding polymer clay basics, techniques, ideas, tutorials and more.

http://KatersAcres.com

Get BASICS Here

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VISIT THE TUTORIALS DIRECTORY FOR FREE TUTORIALS I HAVE PUBLISHED.

Need Help Conditioning Your Clay? Get help conditioning your clay here:

HTTP://KATERSACRES.COM/POLYCLAY/HINTS/HOW-TO-CONDITION-

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Because we want to make this cog strong, we will be reinforcing it throughout this tutorial.

1. Roll a long sheet of clay on a mid level of your pasta machine.

2. Cut a long strip the same width of your cog.

3. Wrap the strip around the cog. 4. Be sure to blend the seams where

the strip joints meet.

Cover Your Seam

MY NUMBER ONE TIP: Have the “end” in mind when

creating, it will make your work as a

sculptor much easier & you’ll make fewer “mistakes”

The most important part here is to be sure the plugs are the same height as the cog/gear body.

1. Again roll a long strip of clay on the largest setting of your pasta machine.

2. Double the layer. 3. Trim several strips to the same

width. 4. Cut the strip in rectangle pieces. 5. Attach the rectangles to the cog

body.

Make the “Plugs” for the Cog

TIP: This is a great project to put something through

the center of … an animal or character.

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Add the Plated Back

Securing Your Cog Parts

1. Roll a medium thickness slab of clay in the same color as your cog.

2. Place your cog on the clay. 3. Cut out the center (shown picture 2) 4. Using your exacto knife, make slits

along the length of each cog piece (see photo).

5. One by one, cut & remove the extra clay.

6. When you are finished, you will have a perfect (and very strong) cog.

This is the hardest & most tedious part. Take your time with this step.

1. Make a long ribbon of clay in the same color as your cog.

2. Choose a starting point and wrap the ribbon around the entirety of the gear.

3. When you are done, trim the

ribbon height to fit the cog.

TIP: You can skip several of the reinforcement steps if you choose. I chose to do them so my cog would be strong. This will allow it to hang from a wall &

have superior strength & durability.

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Adding the Details

REMINDER: Add your signature, stamp, or cane slice identification now.

1. Now for the fun parts… 2. Add some details to your cogs. 3. Use a needle tool, dotters, and

anything else you have to create a design on your cog.

4. You could also use several mica powders to add a different colored look to your cog.

5. I have used 4 mica powders (gold, bronze, silver, & dark gold).

6. Add a hanger in the top at this point if you choose – I used 18 gauge wire that I curved & coiled.

7. You can also add traditional steampunk

parts & gears if you want.

This tutorial was written exclusively for Kater’s Acres email tutorial subscribers.

Weekly, my email subscribers receive FREE tutorials, tips, & tricks for working

with polymer clay.

Parker© is copyright protected under US Law by Kater’s Acres, 2010. Do not copy or reproduce Parker.

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Finish Your Polymer Clay Piece Remember that this tutorial is just a guide – you can be more or less detailed than I have shown in the example. Finishing Instructions:

1. Bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes. Be sure to read package instructions for time estimates for the brand of clay you are using.

2. Let your gear completely cool. 3. Using an acrylic paint, add an antique varnish if you choose. 4. Either leave your gear as is or use it for another project.

5. When you are done, you can add a coat of Diamond Varathane Varnish Sealant if you so choose to keep it nice & shiny!

1. Make a few friends for your owl, free tutorials are available on my blog. http://katersacres.com/category/polyclay/tutorials/

2. Make this much bigger and use it as the center ring for a candle! 3. Make this much smaller and use it as a charm. 4. Add a wire photograph holder & more steampunk stuff.

5. Make this in different colors!

Additional Ideas

NOTE OF USE: It is my recommendation to BAKE the cog/gear before you add

anything else to it. This will ensure the stability of the gear & allow it to keep it’s flat shape without being “smooshed.”

If you liked this tutorial, check this one out:

Polymer Clay Bumble Bee

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What Does It Include?

Total Cost: $9.95 per month Once a month you will receive a 8-12 page full color, full text, PDF tutorial with the featured

design for that month. Value $8-$25. Value varies depending on the month & size of the PDF tutorial.

Once a month you will also receive a mini-project sheet utilizing a technique or additional feature you can add to your sculpture design for the month (depending on month this will be sent in PDF or JPEG formats). Value = $5

You will receive unlimited help and access through a community discussion board format through an exclusive FaceBook group where ONLY paying members will be admitted. Everyone who receives the tutorials can come together, share projects & ideas, & fellowship in an exclusive community. I will moderate the group and check in often. Value = $10

Tutorials & Projects will be sent on the first and third Mondays of every month. Fifth Monday surprise: If there is a fifth Monday, you will receive a BONUS PDF tutorial in your

email. This happens 4 times in 2014. Value = $20 TOTAL VALUE: $43-$63 per month

Payment

• ONLY $9.95 (USD) per month • Payment through PayPal. • You will be automatically billed every month.

o Tutorials begin with the current month. • No obligation. • Cancel at any time.

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POLYMER CLAY ARTIST & ARTISAN KATIE OSKIN OF KATER’S ACRES

Where You Can Find Katie

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Etsy Store: http://katersacres.etsy.com Website & Blog: http://katersacres.com

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Smile, everyday!

Meet the Artist Katie Oskin lives in rural NW Pennsylvania with her husband, dog, & cat. She earned a Bachelor Degree in Psychology & Religion, as well as a Master of Divinity, and most recently completed an OMCP certification from Market Motives in Social Media Marketing.

Despite loving education & learning, Katie lives in a world of make-believe fantasy where everything is filled with flowers and sunshine. This is what brings her polymer clay creations to life! She has been working with polymer clay since 2008 and has explored every technique published! But, she is best known for her character creations with whimsical style & stories.

cog tutorial by katersacres - learn to sculpt whimsical...

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