How to Use Polymer Clay

This isn't the weird-smelling clay you grew up playing with. Polymer clays have become the new media with bold colors, long shelf life, and zillions of applications.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Hobby Paintbrushes
• Acrylic Paints
• Polymer Clays
• Sewing Needles
• 2 Aluminum Soda Cans
• Plexiglas Or Glass Cutting Board
• Oven Thermometers
• Toothpicks
• X-Acto Knives
• Craft Wire

1. Start with small projects at first to get a feel for working with this medium.

2. Wash your hands and dry them well.

3. Lay a slab of clay out on a glass or Plexiglas cutting board.

4. Knead the clay until it's smooth and pliable.

5. Shape the clay into whatever form you have in mind.

6. Use a wire frame inside the sculpture if it will have appendages or the piece is large. Polymer clay is limited in its support strength.

7. Make a bead by rolling a ball between your palms. Carefully poke a hole through the middle with a needle.

8. String beads on a wire stretched between two soda cans to keep from getting a flat side while baking. You may need to put some water in the cans for stability.

9. Bake the object according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Polymers take between 15 and 45 minutes depending on the thickness, and different brands require different temperatures.

10. Use an oven thermometer to prevent over or under-baking.

11. Wait for the piece to cool before sanding and painting. Use acrylic paints.

Tips & Warnings

• If the piece comes out of the oven brown or otherwise discolored, lower the temperature.

• Do not bake polymer clay in a microwave.

• Don't ever bake polymers at more than 300 degrees F. They will produce toxic fumes.

• Polymer clay objects should not come in contact with food.