Polymer Clay - The Versatile Medium

Polymer clay is made of polymer polyvinyl chloride.
It does not contain clay minerals; it only shares the name
to reflect that both can exhibit plasticity characteristics.

History and General Information

Polymer clay's history as an art medium is only decades long,
unlike many mediums that have been around for centuries and have
long traditions. This newness means that there is a great deal
of innovation by users of polymer clay. Ideas are often born
by borrowing from the traditions of some other materials,
such as metalworking (mokume gane), ceramics, glass (millefiore),
paper, cloisonne, and other materials.

  Mokume gane beads

  Polymer clay landscape

Polymer clay hardens by curing at temperatures created in a
standard home oven.  It does not shrink or change texture during
the baking process. When properly cured, most clays won't break if dropped or stressed. This also comes in liquid form and in a
permanently flexible solid form.

Craft, hobby and art stores carry polymer clays, as does many sites
on the internet. Leading brands of polymer clay include Premo,
Fimo, Kato Polyclay, Sculpey, Cernit, Formello, and Modello.

Few tools are essential for use with polymer clay, and these can
often be found around the house. A pasta machine is often used to
mix colors,condition the clay, and create patterned sheets when used with templates.  A rolling pin dedicated to the clay may also be used in lieu of a pasta machine.

Polymer clay is available in many colors.  Clays can be mixed together to create new colors, blends, or other special effects. Judith Skinner was credited with a technique which uses the pasta machine to create a gradient blended sheet of color. This technique is used frequently in many other applications and is one of the early skills developed by hobbyists or artists in the media.

For unique effects, the clay can be colored with other media, such as paint, ink, non-toxic blush and eyeshadow, colored pencils, chalk, mica powder, metallic leaf, foil, glitter and embossing powder. The same materials also can be mixed in as inclusions; this is frequently done with translucent clay.

After it has cured, the clay surface can be left as is, it can be
sanded and buffed, or it can be finished with a varnish or Future floor wax.

Techniques

There are many ways polymer clay can be used.  The following reflects just a few of the many techniques that are used when working with this very versatile medium:

Canes are logs of clay which have patterns running throughout their entire length.  The canes can be created in simple or complex patterns.  They can also be pictorial in nature or geometric.  Canes can be made in any size, then reduced to a much smaller version.  The canes cane be sliced and recombined to make kaleidoscopes or other more complex designs.

    Flower and leaf canes

Clay can be used to cover other items, such as glass, pens, metal, cardboard,  paper, eggshells, votive candle holders and switch plates.

Liquid clay can be tinted and painted on raw or hardened clay
to simulate enamel or cloisonne jewelry, or paintings.

Raw clay can be pressed into molds or over items (such as buttons) to duplicate textures, shapes, and images, such as doll faces.  The hardened clay can also be used as a mold or cast for art or craft projects.

Textures, lines or images can be impressed into raw clay with rubber stamps, texture sheets, sandpaper, needle tools, or other items.

Clay can be used to accept transfers of black and white or color images from photographs, drawings, computer printed images or text.

  Transfer technique pins

Tiles or chips can be inlaid into raw clay to create a mosaic look.

Clay can be simulated to look like many natural materials such as ivory, opals, jade, abalone, turquoise, wood, granite, metal, leather, stained glass, or cloisonne.

    Faux opals

Collages can be made by layering clay and other materials onto a base piece.

A clay gun can be used to extrude uniform rope shapes.  One common use for the clay gun is to make doll hair for sculptured figures.

Mokume gane is a technique obtained by shaving off thin slices from layered but distorted stacks of clays, powders, and inks.

Projects

Polymer clay can be used in a myriad of projects, including:

sculptures;
beads;
jewelry of all kinds, such as pendants, earrings, brooches, barrettes, and buttons;
vessels;
bowls;
dolls;
picture frames;
wall decor;
games and game pieces;
notebook covers;
greeting cards and postcards;
toys;
molds.

  Polymer clay brooch with layered roses                                                 and colored with mica powders.

Hints for Working With Polymer Clay

Work on paper or wax paper to minimize handling and fingerprints.

Bake clay on ceramic tile, a polyester batting or parchment paper lined sheet pan. The polyester batting will help prevent flat sides on round items such as beads; the parchment paper helps to prevent shiny spots.

Adding gold should make colors warmer, while silver adds a cool tone.

Conditioning clay in a pasta machine works wonders, especially for Fimo clay, which is exhausting to hand condition. 

For help with making clay canes and other projects, check out the various polymer clay books on the market, or various internet sites for ideas.  Many sites have polymer clay groups which enables everyone to share ideas, pictures, and even swaps of clay projects.

There are many clay cutters and molds on the market these days, but another good source for these items is the candy aisle in the craft store.  They often have tiny molds intended for candy or treats that can also be used for clay.

Polymer clay can be stored for several years.  It is best to keep it wrapped to protect it from dust and lint.  It also should be stored away from heat and ultraviolet light, as these can partially fire the clay, making it virtually unusable.

In Closing...

I hope you have enjoyed this informational guide on polymer clay.  I have worked with this medium for years and have found it to be relaxing, enjoyable, and something easy enough to do with kids.  When my children were younger, they would work on their clay projects side-by-side with me while I was working on my projects for craft shows.  It was a fulfilling and fun experience for all of us.

Many of my polymer clay jewelry pieces are currently sold in art galleries and boutiques in the U.S.  In future guides, I will share the actual tutorial techniques with you for making particular clay projects.  Please check my guides periodically for these guides.  If there is anything in particular you would like additional information about as it relates to polymer clay, please don't hesitate to contact me.  I will try to incorporate answers to your questions in my future guides.

If you have found this guide helpful, please don't forget to vote yes at the bottom of this guide.

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!