How to Make Custom Silicone-Tipped Tools Upcycle pencils, dowels, and one-sided tools into custom silicone shaping tools that perfectly suit your forms. Christina Orthwein

I have a set of rubber-tipped sculpture tools and use them frequently, but sometimes I find myself wishing they were slightly larger or had a slightly different shape. Well, I don't have to wish anymore thanks to Christina Orthwein's article in the February 2023 issue of Ceramics Monthly.

In this excerpt from that article, Christina explains how you can make your own rubber-tipped tools using a two-part silicone putty for mold making, which is readily available at Dick Blick's or on Amazon. Genius! - Jennifer Poellot Harnetty, editor

PS. To see the full article, including a bonus tip on how to use the putty in mold making, check out the latest issue of Ceramics Monthly.

A Few Simple Steps

Begin by measuring the ingredients. The silicone will come with directions. The kit I used works by scooping out and hand mixing equal parts of the two colors of putty. I found that a half teaspoon of each was plenty to make the size of tools I wanted. 

Next, squish and blend the two putties together with your fingers until they are well mixed, maybe 15 seconds or so (2). It will be oily and have a soft, plastic feel. Roll the mixture into a nice smooth ball in your palms (3). Then, attach the ball to the stick or handle. Press your stick into the rolled ball and squeeze the putty around the screw end to give it a nice tight grip (4). 

Finally, form the tip of the silicone to the desired tool shape (5). If you want a sharp angle, you can press it onto a smooth work surface or cut it with a razor blade. Finish with gentle finger taps to smooth and perfect the edges. 

It takes just a few minutes for the putty set up enough to hold the shape, and about 30 minutes to be ready to use (6).

Tips 

• The thinner you make the silicone tip, the more flexible it will be. 
• The silicone sets up after just a few minutes, so work quickly and only mix up enough to make one tool at a time.
• Rest the tool vertically while the silicone sets, with the ball end up in the air to keep it from touching anything that might distort the shape while it sets. I stick mine into a lump of clay to hold it upright. 

the author Christina Orthwein is a long-time ceramic artist who has worked in pottery, tile, jewelry, and most recently is loving a switch to figural sculpture. You can follow her process videos on Instagram @ChristinaSculpture or visit ChristinaOrthwein.com.