Rick McKinney of KorTools is a former potter.  These days though he is busy running and developing a wonderful range of tools for people who work with clay - polymer clay and precious metal clay.

The distinctive black acrylic roller stamps and textures are light and durable. He has many great designs.  Rick sent me some samples to review and this is what I received :








The single motif stamps come in two sizes.  The smaller ones are cylinders while the larger ones are shaped for comfortable holds.



These stamps are clearly designed to make deep impressions in clay. You can see the difference in the height of the design portion when compared to a metal stamp on the right below :


I tried them out with Premo polymer clay and got some great impressions.  I've tried stamping with metal stamps before. The stamping part is too shallow and a ring (the edge of the stamp) also forms.  KorTools' stamps do not have that problem.

Future stud earrings!
One thing I really like about KorTools' offerings is the choice of making impressions or using relief designs :



Wonder what the Kortools blue board does?  It is silicone covered so the clay does not stick to it.  Silicon mats or waxed paper also do the same thing. However, what I like about the board is its solidness - it doesn't shift while you work unlike waxed paper.


You can certainly use the blue board as the base to roll out clay between graduated slats. Having a handle means you can keep the board steady while rolling.


But the blue board's usefulness really comes into play when using the texture rollers.  You do have to press quite firmly and evenly to make good impressions. So holding the board steady by its handle allows me to roll using my fingers right to the heel of my hand.


These texture rollers create impressions just like texture plates do.  But they are quite compact for storage. KorTools has both bold designs as well as some fine line ones. 

I forgot to spray a bit of water on the roller before rolling and some clay got stuck in the fine roller! This is easy to remove with water and a soft toothbrush. 




There are also texture rollers which are narrower and are used with a wooden handle. 



It is very easy to change the roller - just pull the handle prongs apart like so :


I also found an effective way to clean the board quickly -  just use rubbing alcohol - you can get this at the drug store.


I particularly loved KorTools texture panes for larger designs.


I found it easier to just lay the clay over the pane and used a roller on top.


My first try with the frog texture pane!  I think I prefer the round one and preferably a larger round cutter next time!


The nautilus shell is so cool! :


If you have got this far, then here is a teaser for you on what I am working on. There are upcoming tutorials using clay with my laser cut wood! The impression shown here is with one of the Kor Tool rollers.


Novel tools for the polymer clay or metal clay artist!


Photography
I used my iPhone 8+  . Final project photos were taken in natural light.  I used  the Orangemonkie studio which comes equipped with LED lights - for artificial light photography in my windowless basement studio. The Foldio2 is particularly affordable. I use the Foldio3 with the extra light bar because I need the room for tutorial photography.  

My online class Easy Guide to Smartphone Jewelry Photography is now available. Read more about it here.  

Disclosure
This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
 ______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips  -Jewelry Business Tips