Luann Udell made a discovery as she prepared for her big cross-country move. Treasures can bang and bump and break. A chip in this antique Roseville pottery bowl made her sad and she resolved to save it with polymer. She details her method in this free tutorial that contains some surprises. Bake the polymer first? Use an adhesive activator? These are tricks you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’ve ever fretted over a chipped tile or a cracked pot, you’ll thank Luann for taking the time to tell you the secrets of patching with polymer. You can see the artwork that Luann’s more widely known for on her site, Facebook and her blog.
Luann Udell ,
A tiny misleading statement on my part. Near the end, when I talk about the durability of the repair and I say “…it’s food safe…”, I meant the bowl itself is still safe to hold food–because the polymer patch is on the OUTSIDE of the bowl. As far as I know, polymer clay is still not recommended for contact with food. Somebody let me know if that’s cahanged! Cynthia, thank you for the nice intro!
Donelle Kemmer ,
Hard to say about food safe . Funny since water pipes are PVC. In the old days I use to repair antique pottery with grout mixed with white glue and dry color pigment. It worked great and held up even in a sink of soapy hot water. Have a great day Donelle
Marlene Brady ,
I have used polymer to repair cracks, but then I “sculpted” something over it. I liked learning about the other materials she finds useful. I’m giving this a try the next time something gets chipped. Thanks.
Sherry Bailey ,
Good idea!
I have mended things in a similar way, too. (Polymer clay is so useful!)
The thing I wasn’t successful with, but that makes sense COULD work, is the same approximate technique for mending fancy old picture frames — the kind with plaster detailed surfaces that sometimes flake off. If there is an intact section, you should be able to make a mold, press in some clay, press that together onto the broken section, trimming away the overlap, baking, gluing maybe spackling a little… I only tried once — those frames are gorgeous and pretty cheap if damaged — but I wasn’t patient enough and gave up. Still, I mention it for those who like to try these things and salvage something old and cool!
Wendy Moore ,
I adore Luann’s writing and her art. She is a gem. She has written two e books and even as someone who does not regularly do “booths” I LOVED andgot so much from her GETTING PEOPLE OUT OF YOUR BOOTH! She writes with such humour and wisdom. Is it fair that some one can make such gorgeous stuff AND write well?
Luann Udell ,
Oh my Wendy, I’m blushing!!! I love how, after you read the book, you said you found the same “difficult people” in Nepal, too It’s worldwide! :^D
Mary Etta ,
Thanks for the link to Luann Udell’s website. It’s packed with great reading – I am inspired by the quick perusal of 2 of the10 myths about artists and will return for more. 🙂
Luann Udell ,
Mary, so glad you’re enjoying the myths! Let me know your favorite one.
Sabine Spiesser ,
I use polymer to repair ornaments, ceramic or wooden I use a little E 6000, but this is not a recommendation, as I can hear all the voices across the continents already when I say I harden with a heat gun.
Luann, you sold a wonderful collection of goodies. It must have been a real challenge to part with.