Guide Note

Polymer clay is a material used for creating items such as beads, decorative flowers or other sculpted characters. It is not technically a "clay," since it is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) combined with a liquid plasticizer and contains no clay minerals. The name clay is applied because the consistency of polymer clay is similar to traditional earthen clays.

Fast Facts

1. Materials required: Polymer clay, a roller, cutting blade, baking dish and flat work surface
2. Cookie cutters may be used to produce various shapes
3. Products: Jewelry, wall art, containers and various sculptures
4. Invented by German doll maker Kathe Kruse in the late 1930s
5. Popularized in the United States in the 1970s
6. Minerals may be added to the clay to produce opaque, pearlized or metallic effects
7. Common brands: Fimo, Premo and Sculpey
8. Available at most craft and hobby stores in a variety of colors

After being removed from the package, the clay is firm and difficult to work with, so it must be conditioned before it is ready for sculpting. Condition the clay by hand kneading, rolling and pressing it flat. A pasta machine may be used to speed the conditioning process. Once the clay has been conditioned into a workable consistency, it is ready for sculpting.

After the clay has been formed into its desired shape, it is then hardened by baking it in a home oven or toaster oven at between 250° and 275° Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes.