Polymer clay Fairies

Polymer clay canes

Polymer clay beads

Polymer clay is a polymer compound. It's not a true clay - clay is fine particles of silicate suspended in water, but polymer clay is fine particles of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) suspended in plasticizer.  It comes in many different colors and can be blended to create even more colors.  It has a low curing temperature yet cures hard and durable.

There are many different brands of polymer clay.  Each has it's own quirks and colors and are best suited to different techniques.  Premo, Kato and Fimo are considered to be the best quality or artist quality.

Canes are long rods or sheets of polymer clay put together to form a picture or pattern on the end.  The end result can be simple or mind boggling complex.  These canes are then sliced and the image goes all the way through each slice.

Polymer clay can be placed on anything that will survive the curing temperature.  Since that temperature is so low, that includes many things - paper mache, switchplates, glassware, tins, wood, some plastic and much more.

Faux techniques are popular to try.  You can use polymer clay to imitate many gemstones, leather, metals, and more as well as imitating cloisonne and lampworking techniques.

Polymer clay is also a popular medium for sculptors.  They spend hours creating exquisitely beautiful and detailed sculptures of fairies, mermaids, elves and many other beings or animals.

Polymer clay is a great medium for making beads.  You can find anything from cute to simple to amazingly complex.  You'll often see mention of sanding in bead listings.  To achieve a smooth surface and shine, polymer clay can be sanded, buffed and then dipped in one of several glazes or finishes.  Sanding can be done by hand or with a tumbler.  Most often 3-8 grits are used, each higher than the last.

This guide only skims the surface of what can be done with polymer clay.  It's a wonderfully versatile material and new techniques are still being invented.  When properly cured and cared for it should last forever (or as long as any other medium).