Polymer Clay Buttons
Polymer clay buttons are made of polymer clay, a material which has PVC (polyvinyl chloride) as its base. Polymer clay is so called because it has properties similar to clay and can be molded to any desired shape. It should not be thought of having a dusty or muddy feeling to it and is quite suitable to be used as buttons.
Polymer clay can be designed to obtain various images/figures on buttons. A miniature Eiffel Tower, fruits, flowers, hearts, crosses or even a critter can be designed on a button. You can also have a polymer clay button in the color of your national flag or opt for a button with a metallic finish.
Buttons can either be functional or used as a decorative piece. It can have shanks or holes; it can be sewn on to the cloth or just attached or pasted as a decorative piece.
Since polymer clay is available in various colors and different types such as translucent, fluorescent and those that glow in the dark, it is quite a good choice for making buttons. Apart from the usual colors, colors can be mixed to get a required shade too. Acrylic paint can also be applied on the surface of the buttons. Polymer clay buttons are also used to make toys for children.
Washing precautions of garments having polymer clay buttons:-
Clothes that have polymer clay buttons can be washed without causing any damage to the buttons if the buttons are coated with a water resistant epoxy glaze. If the garments are washed in a washing machine they should be drawn inside out and a slow speed should be chosen.
It is preferable however to wash such garments by hand. Do not tumble dry such garments. Also avoid dry cleaning.
Health Concerns
The safety of using buttons made of polymer clay has always been a matter of debate. Concern has been voiced over the use of polymer clay buttons from various quarters in general and consumer protection groups in particular. However studies have revealed that actual transfer of toxic elements present in polymer clay buttons to the body and foods to be quite low. Well, low enough to be ignored. Ingestion also was very low.
However it has been established that use of polymer clay buttons may cause exposure to plasticizers, in case of children, if ingested and also through ingestion of residues left on hands after making polymer clay buttons/toys. So care should be taken when these buttons are used for garments for children.
This entry was posted on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 12:41 pm and is filed under Polymer Clay. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.