Learn All About Polymer Clay

Learn all about polymer clay, and the many widely different things that can be made from it. Polymer clay is hardened in a home oven, generally in less than 1/2 hr. Brands include Fimo, Premo, Kato, Cernit, and Sculpey.

Steps

  1. Understand that "Polymer" clay is a special kind of manufactured "clay" which is hardened in a home oven. It is not the same as earth clay (hardened in a kiln), air dry clay (hardened in the air), or plasticine-type modeling clay (never hardened).
  2. Learn the many different uses of Polymer clays:
    • sculpting (simple items or more complex ones)
    • making jewelry and beads of all kinds
    • making "canes," "covering" (items made from glass, wood, metal, paper-mache, etc.)
    • making large or small containers
    • making simulations of natural materials (jade, pearl, ivory, metal, wood, stone,etc.)
    • making tiles for mosaics, making actual "paintings," etc.
  3. Learn about the versatility of polymer clay. You can combine it with many other materials (mixing media). It can have images "transferred" onto it, and there are many special techniques for polymer clay as well as special techniques involving "liquid" clay.
  4. Take advantage of its pliable consistency before hardening. It can be molded in various kinds of molds (and the molds themselves can be made with it), and it be stamped and textured, etc. After hardening, it can be sanded and buffed, drilled, carved, antiqued, varnished (with glossy finish, if desired), etc.



Tips

  • Pick your type of clay with your project in mind. For example, Fimo classic which is harder and retains shape vs Sculpey III which is softer and more pliable.
  • Before you bake your clay, leave the clay in the fridge for 24 hours, it makes the clay harder and easy to manage.

Warnings

  • Polymer clay is certified non-toxic, but do not allow children to eat the clay, and wash hands after using. Do not bake at the same time as food is baking, as fumes, especially from over-baked or burned clay, may be toxic and will permeate food.
  • Please use an inexpensive oven thermometer when baking polymer clay to make sure the oven (or toaster oven or convection oven -- no microwaves) is actually achieving and maintaining the proper temperature (generally 265*F-275*F, or check the packaging), and that it's not too high to burn the clay (385 or higher).

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Sources and Citations

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