question about hand lotions & polymer clay

Marissa Undercofler

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Nov 2, 2004, 3:49:40 PM11/2/04

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Since I am still new to the world of polymer clay, I have a question
regarding hand lotion and polymer clay.

I have very dry hands, so any cracks in my hands pick up the clay, as well
as leave marks..I also have a few places on my fingers where the skin is so
dry that it has flaked a bit and left a small piece of skin sticking out,
and they sometimes poke into the clay.

So my question is, Will using hand lotion right before I play with the
polymer clay mess up the clay in anyway? If so, should I lube up my hands
like a half hour before and then wait for it to soak into the skin and then
play?

---------------------------
Marissa Undercofler -- Marissa's Creations
To see finished pieces:
http://groups.msn.com/MarissasBeadedWorksOtherStuff/shoebox.msnw

Deb Hayes

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Nov 2, 2004, 5:55:00 PM11/2/04

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Marissa...

Actually, lotion before claying is a good idea for all of us, even if we
have baby-soft skin, which I do not!

It helps prevent the color from sticking to your skin, and makes the clay
wash off more readily when you're done with the clay. (It has even been
known to soften dry skin!)

so, I would say, "Lube Away!"

Deb

--
Deborah Hayes
Editorial Staff, pcPolyzine
www.pcpolyzine.com
"Marissa Undercofler" <mar...@EATMYSPAMmlux2.com> wrote in message
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Marissa Undercofler

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Nov 2, 2004, 7:27:26 PM11/2/04

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Thank you. I wanted to ask before I did it, and then went and made a nice
piece or something that I would want to keep, and then find out it was
ruined by the lotion or something.

Marissa

"Deb Hayes" <quee...@cableone.net> wrote in message
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Stephanie

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Nov 2, 2004, 8:36:35 PM11/2/04

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You could always use latex gloves too. Keeps those fingerprints away.

>I have very dry hands, so any cracks in my hands pick up the clay, as well
>as leave marks..I also have a few places on my fingers where the skin is so
>dry that it has flaked a bit and left a small piece of skin sticking out,
>and they sometimes poke into the clay.

.Stephanie.

Gotta Question?
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http://tinyurl.com/5wm36

Sjpolyclay

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Nov 3, 2004, 9:19:32 AM11/3/04

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Hi Marissa!

I like Curel lotion the best---it soaks in quickly and so doesn't transfer to
the clay, but even if lotion DOES get in there, most don't seem to interact.
The other thing I HIGHLY recommend is Burts Bees Cuticle lemon cream; my
cuticles and fingernails don't get dry and leave marks in the clay.
Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery
http://www.polyclay.com

MinnieNeedles

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Nov 3, 2004, 6:27:49 PM11/3/04

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now I have a question, where do you get Burts Bees Cuticle Lemon
Cream?
Marsha

On 03 Nov 2004 14:19:32 GMT, sjpol...@aol.comeatspam (Sjpolyclay)
wrote:

Jalynne

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Nov 3, 2004, 10:43:33 PM11/3/04

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http://www1.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?langId=-1&catalogId=10001&storeId=10001

I can often find his stuff at my local health food store, too.
--
Jalynne - Keeper of the Quilt for ME club list
Queen Gypsy (snail mail available upon request)
see what i've been up to at www.100megsfree4.com/jalynne

"MinnieNeedles" <minnie...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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Stephanie

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Nov 3, 2004, 11:22:08 PM11/3/04

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>
>http://www1.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?l

angId=-1&catalogId=10001&storeId=10001
>
>I can often find his stuff at my local health food store, too.

Awesome stuff!!

Helen Halla Fleischer

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Nov 4, 2004, 9:03:03 AM11/4/04

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| On 03 Nov 2004 01:36:35 GMT, ppers...@aol.commonality (Stephanie) wrote:

>You could always use latex gloves too. Keeps those fingerprints away.

I would suggest using nitrile gloves, instead. Latex deteriorates in the
presence of oils, hence the cautions about using Vaseline with latex.

Helen "Halla" Fleischer, Fantasy & Fiber Artist
http://home.covad.net/~drgandalf/halla/
Balticon Art Program Coordinator http://www.balticon.org

Sjpolyclay

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Nov 4, 2004, 9:05:11 AM11/4/04

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>now I have a question, where do you get Burts Bees Cuticle Lemon
>Cream?

I get it at the health food store, its in a little round (coverable later) tin.
Here's a link with a store finder:

http://www1.burtsbees.com/

Georgia

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Nov 4, 2004, 6:11:49 PM11/4/04

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I buy disposable latex gloves by the box--about $.07 per glove. Gloves last
at least 5 hours before they get too stretched out or rip. I consider it a
bargain!

Georgia
www.bead-designs.com/html/newfromstudio.htm

"Helen Halla Fleischer" <helen...@covad.net> wrote in message
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Helen Halla Fleischer

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Nov 5, 2004, 11:30:41 AM11/5/04

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I do the same with disposable nitrile, though I don't usually use them with
the clay, more with wood finishing. My concern about the latex with the
clay is that as it deteriorates with the oil contact, it might release
things into the skin that would increase the odds of developing a latex
allergy. It's just a hunch on my part but I know enough about what friends
with latex allergies go through to want to err on the side of caution.

Sjpolyclay

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Nov 5, 2004, 2:02:07 PM11/5/04

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>My concern about the latex with the
>clay is that as it deteriorates with the oil contact, it might release
>things into the skin that would increase the odds of developing a latex
>allergy.

thats a very valid concern, latex allergies are becoming more common. However,
studies show you are more likely to become sensitized through breathing it in
with the powdered kind of gloves than through skin contact....but once
sensitized, ANY contact is bad.