Vintage Tile Effect With Polymer Clay
Posted by Rituparna Ghosh on
Vintage Tile Effect
Materials & Tools:
Clay & Texture
• Metallic polymer clay (copper, gold, etc.)
• Detailed cutter or intricate texture mat
Filler Mix:
• Metallic acrylic paint (e.g. silver if your base is copper)
• Baking soda
• Translucent liquid clay (optional, for extra stickiness)
Baking & Finishing:
• Oven or toaster oven (set to 275°F / 135°C)
• Aluminum foil (to cover while baking)
• Wet wipes
• Sandpaper: 600, 1000, 2000, 3000 grit
• Buffing wool or soft cloth
• Renaissance Wax (or similar microcrystalline wax)
Step-by-Step: Vintage Tile Effect
Step 1 – Prepare & Bake the Base Pieces
1. Condition your metallic polymer clay.
2. Use a texture mat or detailed cutter to create an intricate pattern.
3. Cut your shapes (earrings, pendants, etc.) and add holes if needed.
4. Bake according to your clay’s instructions (275°F for 45 minutes, my preference)
Let the pieces cool completely.
Step 2 – Mix the “Vintage Filler”
5. In a small container, add some metallic acrylic paint – For a copper base, I used silver paint for contrast.
6. Add baking soda to the paint
7. Mix until the texture is more solid than liquid:
• It should feel almost powdery, held together just enough by the paint.
• The paint is only there as a binder, not to stay runny.
Goal: A thick, grainy, textured paste, not a drippy paint.
Step 3 – Adjust Stickiness (If Needed)
8. If the filler is not sticking well to the baked clay:
• Add a tiny bit of translucent liquid clay and mix.
9. You want it just slightly stickier, but still textured and powdery, not smooth and runny.
Step 4 – Apply the Filler to the Clay
10. Take your baked, cooled clay pieces.
11. Use your fingers or a needle tool to:
• Press the filler into the recessed areas of the textured design.
• Pack it in well, filling all the gaps.
12. Let the pieces air dry for a short time so the filler sets a bit on the surface.
Step 5 – Remove Excess Filler
13. Once it’s slightly dry, use a wet wipe to:
• Gently wipe away the excess filler from the raised areas.
• Leave the filler mainly in the grooves and details.
Step 6 – Second Bake
14. Place the pieces on a tile or baking tray.
15. Cover them loosely with aluminum foil.
16. Bake at 275°F (135°C) for about 15 minutes.
17. Remove from the oven and let the pieces cool completely.
Step 7 – Sand to Reveal the Metallic Shine
18. Start sanding very gently with 600 grit sandpaper:
• Focus on removing any leftover filler on the raised metallic areas.
• Don’t over-sand — you don’t want to remove too much clay.
19. Then move through the grits:
• 1000 grit – smoothen
• 2000 grit – refine
• 3000 grit – polish and brighten
This reveals the metallic clay on top while the filler stays in the recessed areas, giving that vintage tile effect.
Step 8 – Buff & Wax (No Resin)
20. Apply a thin layer of Renaissance Wax on the pieces.
21. Use buffing wool or a soft cloth to:
• Buff until you get a soft, satin, vintage-style shine.
22. Do not use resin on top:
• The charm of this effect is its textured, not glassy, surface.
• The second bake plus wax and buffing is enough.
Step 9 – Turn Into Jewelry