Polymer clay basics

By Zarah Wednesday July 1, 2009

Polymer clay is a synthetic clay made from PVC plastic and is available in many colors and brands. The clay remains soft and pliable until cured in an owen.

This is one of my favorite ways to be creative. There is so much you can make with polymer clay and there are loads of colors and techniques to chose from.

Every brand of polymer clay has it’s own particular feel about it. For example Fimo soft, is just that, softer than many other clays and easier to work with.

After baking softer clays doesn’t get the same strength as firmer clays do. This is why firmer clays are very popular among those who create complex designs since the result is a stronger piece.

Fimo and Sculpey Polymer clay

Firm Polymer clays

Soft Polymer clays

Fimo Soft
Sculpey Original
Sculpey III
Liquid Polymer Clays: Kato Liquid Polyclay, Fimo Liquid, Translucent Liquid Sculpey

About Liquid Polymer clay

Liquid polymer clays are used for making image transfers, as an adhesive, coloured as a filler for polymer mosaics or for 3-D effects. With liquid polymer clay you can cover a surface to protect transfers or fragile images underneath as well as being polishing the clay to a high shine after curing.

How to use Polymer clay?

Hand sculpting items from miniatures to larger pieces. Found an interesting book on that recently, check it out.

Creating all kinds of beads and jewelry such as pendants, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and buttons.

Covering items with the clay, materials like: glass, metal, cardboard, terra cotta, and some plastics. Wonderful items to cover: pens, eggshells, candle-holders, and tool handles. Even some furnitures such as tables can be veneered.

Creating beautiful artwork like jars, boxes and bowls.

Making faux surfaces of natural and fabricated materials such as jade, turquoise, marble, granite, metal, ivory, wood, leather, stained glass, mosaic, and cloisonne. A great book on the subject is: Faux Surfaces on Polymer clay

Create collages by layering polymer clay with other materials.

Making lovely home decor items such as: frames, games and game pieces, dioramas, toys, mini-books, notebook covers, greeting cards, and postcards.

Polymer clay is a huge art form which anyone can do, if you only know the basics! Why not create together? Kids, teenagers, adults, everyone can make whatever they feel like! I did that here, it was so rewarding!