About Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is a material used in sculpting which contains PVC. Interestingly, polymer clay does not contain any clay. It is easy to manipulate and can be baked in your own oven at home. This type of "clay" is popular among artists and can be found in most arts supply stores.

History

Polymer clay has been around since the 1930s. In Germany, an artist named Fifi Rehbinder developed a plastic clay which she used to make doll heads as she was unable to locate regular clay. She marketed the product as Fifi Mosaik until 1964, when Rehbinder sold the formula to Eberhard Faber, who marketed the product as Fimo. In the United States, Zenith Products Co. developed a polymer clay in the 1960s, hoping to use it as a thermal transfer compound. It didn't work. However, the owner's daughter used the product to make a small sculpture, which they then discovered could be oven baked, so they decided to market it as an art product. That product is now known as Sculpey.

Types

There are a number of different brands of polymer clay on the market, all with unique properties. Sculpey has three different products: the original formula, Super Sculpey and Sculpey III. The first is soft, brittle and chalky, while the second is stronger and more flexible. Sculpey III is more often used by artists as it is soft and easy to manipulate. Cernit is one of the strongest polymer clays and has a porcelain finish when fired. Fimo is the one most widely used by artists. It is stiffer and more difficult to condition than the others, but that also means it holds details well. When baked, Fimo is very strong.

Uses of Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is often used in sculpting and doll-making. It can even be used to make clay clothing. Artists will often use polymer clay in jewelry making, creating beads from the clay. Another popular use of polymer clay is to create millefiori. Logs or "canes" of clay are created which have patterns running through the middle of them. Slices of the cane are then cut and used in a variety of ways such as making buttons and beads.

Polymer Clay Tools

Along with your basic clay tools there are a few tools that make working with polymer clay easier. One of the best tools a polymer clay artist can equip themselves with is a small food processor. The food processor will help to "warm" the clay, which is particularly important with Fimo, as warming it and making it more pliable can take a lot of work. A good work surface is also important. Tile is preferable as it won't be damaged by the polymer clay. A cement adhesive like Superglue works well with polymer clay. Additionally, steel wool helps to smooth out any imperfections in the fired clay.

Considerations

While working with polymer clay is generally considered safe, and the clay can even be baked in your own oven, there are still some health concerns. Baking the clay at too high a temperature (higher than 300 degrees Fahrenheit) can cause the PVC in the clay to give off toxic fumes. Additionally, when sanding the fired clay, be sure have proper ventilation and to wear eye protection.

Resources

• Polymer Clay FAQ