Welcome to the world of polymer clay! This medium is a wonderful material for both beginners and professionals alike, being a non-toxic material as well you can also make things with children and bake it so their crafts can be kept for a very long time.
This Polymer clay for beginners guide will show you what you need to start off your journey into this wonderful hobby.
Please be aware some of these links are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission based off any purchases made through the links.
What is Polymer Clay?
Polymer clay is a highly versatile art medium which can be used for a wide range of crafts, the clay is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which makes it closer to a plastic than a clay but it is highly malleable like a regular clay.
The benefits of this is that it doesn’t require specialised equipment and you can start your journey with this craft with just a block of polymer clay and an oven!
If like myself as well you seem to flip between projects quite a bit, the clay doesn’t have an expiration date, you can store it away to pick up again at a later time. Just make sure the location you store it isn’t somewhere really hot or in direct sunlight!
What you need to get started
Essential
- A block of Polymer clay
- A guide for the different types of clay can be found here
- A cutting tool
- An oven
- Check out the baking times here
Recommended
- Clay tools
- Wire
- Tin Foil
- Findings
- Baking / Parchment Paper
- Rubber Gloves
- Baby oil, isopropyl alcohol or lighter fluid (For smoothing)
- Primer, Acrylics, Dyes, Chalks etc… if you want to add some colour to them!
What can you do with it?
What would you like to do with it?
Being such a versatile material, the only limitations for this medium is your imagination. Listed below are just some of the things you can do with it along with some corresponding guides on how to do the basics of these. We will go more in depth with the tools and techniques needed to make the below.
Some of the below will be linked directly to tutorials, feel free to browse around and maybe find some inspiration on where to begin! As this blog is still in its infancy, I hope to provide tutorials to all the points below in the future, please check back!
- Jewellery
- Beads for Jewellery
- Earrings
- Necklace Charms
- Bracelets
- Broaches
- Figures
- Hyper realistic
- Dolls
- Figurines
- Pen / Pencil decorations
- Buttons
- Keyrings
- Miniatures
- Fridge Magnets
- Wall Art
- Garden Decor
- Candle Holders
- Book covers
- Replications
- Wearables
- Clothing Pins
- Charms
- Cutlery additions – Not to be used for eating though
- Designing outer parts for Coffee Cups
- Home Decorations
- Fakes Items – Like plants etc…
- Phone case decorations
- Ornaments
And many, many more! These will be updated so be sure to check back for new and exciting designs! And I hope the polymer clay for beginners guide will help you out!
Additional Polymer Clay guides
- Polymer Clay – Commonly asked questions
- How to condition Polymer Clay
- Inspiration for Polymer Clay Earrings
- Attach findings to polymer clay
- Are polymer clay earrings heavy?
- How to make an anatomically correct heart out of polymer clay
- What polymer clay is best for earrings?
- How to make a flower charm with polymer clay
- What are the different tools I can use for Polymer Clay?
- How long do I bake Polymer Clay for?
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