CLICK HERE to VISIT the 'STIX' STORE
Other Minis & Misc. FOR SALE
SAMPLE Usage Gallery
CUSTOMER'S Display GALLERY
CONTACT US
LINC'S LINKS (Miniature, Polyclay, & Misc.)

LINC'S Mini WORLD
The "CARE & FEEDING" of "CHOP-m-STIX"©
or - HOW to USE our "STIX"

Here's a brief workshop on using our "CHOP-m-STIX"©
This will also generally apply to your pre-cured(baked) millefiori canes.

"STIX"/canes should be sliced using a NEW single edged razor blade preferrably, or if you are really good, or really brave - you can use a "tissue blade" (DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED for children). I should soon have some instructions for you on making a "tissue blade handle" which will help, if you like using them. They are SO SHARP, and SO THIN & FLEXIBLE, I almost always manage to cut myself when I use them - even very carefully ... Color me Clumsey.

Prior to slicing, I recommend that most of the sticks be warmed on a Coffee Warming Tile. You can probably pick one up at your local Salvation Army or Goodwill store for a buck or two. They are usually about 6-8 inches square - and are usually used to keep coffee in a pot warm. DO NOT USE A COFFEE CUP WARMER - they are MUCH TOO HOT & could ruin the sticks or even start a fire. You can also put the sticks on a standard tile and heat in an oven @ 200 degrees for about 5-10 minutes(WATCH YOUR FINGERS). The thicker the stick is - the MORE IMPORTANT this warming process becomes. Very small sticks may not need initial warming, but it will still help with the slicing process.

After warming, let the stick cool slightly - (otherwise it might be a little TOO MUSHY - (don't ya love technical terms) - the cut about 8-12 slices and rewarm that stick before proceeding. I usually have a couple sticks on the warming tile so I don't have to wait for a single stick to rewarm. You should be able to notice a difference in the cutting as the stick cools down and needs rewarming. In general - when properly warmed, the sticks should cut almost like a hot knife thru butter.

After slicing - REwarming the individual slices
will remove any blade scrape/slice marks
AND REFRESH THE BEST COLOR APPEARANCE.
NOTE:When you rewarm the slices - DON'T use a convection oven or you could end up with slices of your sticks EVERYWHERE! The Coffee warming tiles really work BEST all around.

Many people have sliced or cut the round millefiori canes - that's fairly simple because the pressure of the cutting is evenly distributed thru the cane. Cutting OUR SHAPED Sticks is somewhat different. And since I'm the only one (to the best of my knowledge) who makes SHAPED Sticks, I get to make the rules, and HERE'S THE RULE - WHENEVER POSSIBLE - CUT THRU THE WEAKEST or MOST VULNERABLE PART OF THE STICK FIRST, as long as there is a base part of the stick to support the cut. This is pretty much just common sense. Here's an example: when slicing the ANGEL stick - lay it on the side so that you are slicing thru 1 wing first - rather than standing the ANGEL upright and having the pressure of the cut pushing BOTH wings downward. Another example would be either of the HORSE sticks or most of the animal sticks - lay them on there backs and slice thru their thin little legs first - rather than standing them upright and having the pressure of the cut pushing the legs down and possibly causing them to break. THE STICKS SLICE REALLY WELL - BUT THEY DON'T "CRUNCH" TOO GOOD. As I said above, using a little common sense will go a LONG WAY in helping you cut the slices of your "CHOP-m-STIX"©.

Most people get 40-65 slices per standard stick. The number of slices will vary depending in the size of the stick and the accuracy and technique of your slicing. The smaller the stick, the more slices that can usually be produced. My personal record is 119 slices from one TURTLE stick.

When the 'STIX' have been sliced, the pieces can be painted, drilled (thick slices used for beads), covered with glitter, etc. - your imagination will help you here. Most any type of acrylic or hobby paint will work. Many finger nail polishes will work, HOWEVER test first because some fingernail polishes will cause the polymer clay to soften and remain stickey. Most glues will work also, although I usually use some type of "super glue" for permanancy.

If you have "The CHOPPER", it is really handy for cutting thin sticks. If you wish to use it for thicker sticks you will need to remove a notch from the blade holder arm (between the two screw holes). I should have instructions for you shortly.

GENERAL NOTES ON HEATING POLYMER CLAY.
DON'T MICROWAVE POLYMER CLAY!
DO NOT BURN your clay when firing it; fumes from burnt clay ARE TOXIC and should be avoided. (AND TRUST ME ON THIS - IT CAN BURN TO THE POINT OF BURSTING INTO FLAME.) For your safety's sake - invest in an oven thermometer and a timer, and then use them! Follow the package instructions and you should not have a problem. Should you accidentally burn your clay, DO NOT INHALE THE FUMES; TURN OFF THE OVEN, TURN ON A FAN, OPEN A WINDOW, and LEAVE for 20 minutes or so until the fumes have dissipated. If you use a convection oven, reduce the temperature 10 to 20 degrees to compensate for the faster cooking time. In most cases you can buy a small inexpensive oven from GOODWILL or The Salvation Army store just to use for baking your polymer clay. I have seen a number of WARNINGS and recommendations AGAINST using the same oven for polymer clay and consumable food. I STRONGLY suggest HEEDING these WARNINGS.

We hope you enjoy and have fun with the "CHOP-m-STIX"©, and what you create with them. We'd LOVE to see pictures of your work and all the NEAT STUFF you've done using our "STIX" slices, and we would appreciate your permission to use them in our Customer's Projects Gallery area (jpeg files work best for this). Let us know if we can help you in any way OR IF YOU HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, OR COMMENTS regarding these instructions, or our web site.
Thanks,
Linc

CLICK HERE to VISIT our "STIX" STORE
CLICK HERE for NEXT Page

© 2000-2002 LMW - Last Updated 09/03/2002
Linc Leedy
LINC'S Mini WORLD
Suite #1
511 S. 7th St.
Goshen, IN 46526
(574) 537-8283
E-MAIL to: LincLeedy@Yahoo.com