Polymer Clay Art - Materials and Equipment

You will need Polymer clay and even though that sounds easy, the choice is not, because the clay comes in so many colors including translucent, fluorescent, phosphorescent, mica-containing pearls and metallics, and different stone colors containing contrasting fibers.

If you still can't find the color you like, you can mix and match creating your own, or you can color the clay by blending in paint, ink, colored pencil, chalk, metallic or mica-containing powder, metal leaf and foil, glitter and even embossing powder. The same products can be applied to the surface of your creation.

Other equipment you might need is a pasta machine which is often used to condition, cure, and blend different colors of clay in to a sheet of the same thickness.

Essential however is an oven; yeah, a 'home' oven will do fine. The clay does not air dry, although the latest product on the market is a Polymer clay that does. Before baking, check the instructions on the back of the wrapping materials. It generally bakes at 265 to 275 °F (129 to 135 °C), for 15 minutes per 1/4" (6 mm) of thickness.

The clay does not shrink, crack or change in any way, fashion or form during baking and in case you forgot something; you can add on and re-bake as often as you like or need. When done, you can sand, buff, paint, or varnish your project.

Stick to the baking instructions, because curing the clay incorrectly at a temperature higher than instructed can produce fumes which may cause health problems due to harmful fumes. The hazardous fumes are being released at 350 degrees F and over.

Also ensure to wash your hands thoroughly after the use of the clay; accidental ingestion of the residue of the clay left on the hands can be dangerous as well.

Most of the other tools which could come in handy, can be found in and around the house, like cookie cutters for instance. Any craft, molding, modeling, texturing, and cutting tools will do just fine.

There are plenty of instruction books, classes, workshops, etc., around; you can find them on the Internet and probably in abundance in your area as well. Polymer clay is a great way of expressing your imagination and creating some beautiful figurines. Go figure!