Introduction to Polymer Clay
Polymer clay is a modeling compound that remains soft and malleable until heated in an oven. It is made of PVC and pigments which are bound together by plasticizer. Plasticizer is also what makes the clay soft and pliable until it is cured. Polymer clay is one of the most versatile and forgiving mediums available. It can mimic the appearance of metal, wood, fabrics, leather or even gems, but it’s also lightweight and affordable.
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What is Polymer Clay used for?
Polymer clay has a diverse fanbase, including children, professional artist and hobbyist in many different realms of craft such as modeling, jewelry making, fine art, professional craft, doll making, home decor, pottery, scrapbooking and sculpture.
If that’s not enough, some additional examples would be knitters can use polymer clay to create custom buttons, metal-smiths can make faux stones out of them like opal and turquoise, wood workers can make inlay and accents to add to their projects and handymen can use them for household repairs like filling cracked tiles or repairing furniture with a missing trim or decorative accent.
As you can see there is virtually no limit aside from where your creativity takes your with polymer clay. However, you can’t use it as kitchenware if it contacts the food. Don’t eat it or eat from it or eat from the items you use to work with the clay. It’s non toxic, but not edible.
Customizing Polymer Clay
Polymer clays are available in a wide range of colors that can be mixed together to produce an even wider color palette. You can even mix different brands of clay together to customize weight or consistency. There are also various techniques you can apply to polymer clay such as bushing on mica powder, applying foil, stamping with textured sheets, image transfers, marbling, silk screening and more.
How to Prepare Polymer Clay
Condition Polymer Clay
Before working polymer clay, it must be conditioned before you use it, because if you don’t it will be brittle. Kneading and warming the clay with your hands or a pasta machine allows the materials in the clay to mix evenly, which increases it’s pliability and reduces risk of breakage. Clay that is adequately conditioned will not crack when folded. If it’s been sitting untouched for a while, the ingredients will settle and have to be conditioned again.
Baking & Finishing
Polymer clay has to be cured in an oven including conventional, toaster, and convection types. It bakes at low temperatures, typically between 212F – 300F depending on the brand. Follow the temperature recommendations on the packaging. This allows you to bake it alongside materials that don’t burn or melt at these low temperatures such as paper, wood, frames, pens or mirrors. After baking polymer clay, it can be drilled, carved, sanded, buffed, glazed or painted.
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