I love when people are interested in making their own mini food items. I have had enough people ask about what I use to make my earrings and miniatures to where I would like to give you all a list of tools and supplies to make your own!
Basic Supplies
For those who want to get into it, here are some of the basic supplies for starting out
Polymer clay (Sculpey, Fimo, any polymer clay works)
Exacto knife
Needle tool
Earring hooks, jump rings, and eye pins ( if your making jewelry)
Thats really all you need for the most basic of earrings or miniatures. To get a little more detailed comes the next list...
More Advanced Supplies
Other Tools
Ball point pottery tools, Metal pottery scraper, Toothbrush (texture)
Transparent Clay
I want to specify this type of clay because it is so useful. Sculpey sells a great transparent clay that can be used for so much. You can mix it with a little of another color to make a transparent version of that color. I most use this with my citric earrings. It can also be used as it comes for cheeses or salt. I recomend!
Liquid clay (I like Katopoly the most but Sculpey has some too)
Use the liquid clay as a glaze or mix it with chalk pastels for color (I use this for egg yolks, condiments and other more opaque liquids). Mix with a little polymer clay for thicker liquid (I use this for frostings)
Chalk Pastels
Use Exacto knife to scrape pastels into a powder which can be brushed onto clay before baking. This will cause it to stick to the clay after baking. (I use this for breads and meats to make things look cooked) Make sure to wear a cloth mask when using chalk pastels.
Paint Brushes
Brushing chalk pastels on clay or glazes
Glaze
There are different polymer clay glazes at most craft stores. I use glazes for shiny touches on frosted foods or mushrooms. Anything that needs a shine
Mold putty
If you really want to get into making a lot of something I would say to invest in some 2 part mold putty. I will sculpt something, bake it, and then use the most putty to make a mold of a basic shape. I often use it for croissants and other little foods. It makes a general shape that I can work off of to make things quicker. There are a thousand uses for it and its fun to experiment with.
UV Resin
I have an assortment of uses for resin in my work. I mix it with chalk pastels or acrylic paint to have a more watery effect then the liquid clay has to offer. I use it for soups, jams, syrups, and many other things. I also use it to secure pin backs or studs to the earring itself after glueing. This makes it much less likely to have it break. you need to wear a respirator and gloves when working with resin. It is a toxic substance and should not have contact with skin or be breathed in.