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From the lens Introduction to Sculpting in Polymer Clay.

I'd love to hear what you think.

  • EclecticNana May 24, 2012 @ 5:18 pm | delete
    I am a beginning artist and thought this was a great lens with great explanations. Thanks!
  • castlequeen51 Apr 16, 2012 @ 7:11 pm | delete
    Very informative lens :) I made several sets of flower faces with ribbons and beads on them..floral stemmed and wrapped in the greenfloral tape..put them into painted watering cans..was great fun and ended up selling one of the sets;0
  • sub Jan 24, 2012 @ 6:11 am | delete
    How long can you work on/ leave a clay project before baking.
  • claymaker Feb 18, 2012 @ 5:34 pm | delete
    Well clay takes many days before drying and many months before completely crumbling. What you can also do is cook a part and then add clay onto it and cook it again. So you don't have to worry about it drying in on you. It also helps if you put your project(if small)in a plastic bag to keep it soft and pliable. I hope I helped you out and good luck with whatever you are making.
  • Noadi Feb 21, 2012 @ 5:43 am | delete
    I disagree, polymer clay isn't water based so it doesn't really dry out. I suppose you could leave it out long enough for the clay to lose a lot of the plasticizers in it but it would take a long time. I've left pieces out unbaked for weeks while I work on it. You should cover it with plastic though so you don't get dust or pet hair on it.
  • Sherry Strozyk Apr 15, 2012 @ 5:44 pm | delete
    I just dug my daughters old fimo clay out of the attic, and it is dried out. I tried to soften it with water, which did soften it, but, it still crumbles. What if anything can I use to make this clay plyable again. I want to use it to practice making pieces for jewelry. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
  • sub Jan 24, 2012 @ 6:06 am | delete
    When working on a clay project how long can you leave it before it gets to hard to work with again? Is it something that once you start you must finish to bake?
  • wordstock Jan 21, 2012 @ 11:56 am | delete
    I can't find what I want to decorate cigar boxes in shabby chic. I ran across polymer clay and then remembered that I had also seen it on Squidoo. This is very helpful and now I am ready to move on to your other lenses. I want to make cameo frames and buttons. Angel blessed for the very clear and concise information.
  • luvurofbooks:) Jan 14, 2012 @ 3:57 am | delete
    Hi, I just came across this article or, lens, while searching the internet for instructions on sculpting with polymer clay. Thanks so much for the info! I began "reborning " dolls about 5 months ago, and although I haven't perfected the art, I fell in love with it, but really ,really, want to learn how to sculpt a baby! The main reason being, I love painting all these details, but I would really love to create all the features also. Sorry, I'm rambling :) Anyhow, thanks again :)
  • Kitty Yamaoka Jan 9, 2012 @ 9:00 pm | delete
    thanks so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience! This lens is great help to me as I'm just starting to get into working with clays :) god bless you!
  • crstnblue Nov 7, 2011 @ 10:45 am | delete
    Informative lens - it would be a nice experience to let lose one day and be creative with polymer clay :)
  • gottaloveit Jul 30, 2011 @ 6:25 am | delete
    I used to use polymer clay to jazz up the bottom of wine glasses or vinegar bottles. Nice lens.
  • mypotlpeople Jun 4, 2011 @ 12:04 am | delete
    Great information on working with Polymer Clay. I'm just learning about the medium, so this was extremely helpful.
  • ludys May 7, 2011 @ 9:11 am | delete
    I am glad I found this lens. I will be back. It contains very useful information.
  • artyfax Apr 9, 2011 @ 4:54 pm | delete
    I would love to try sculpting, this lens may just be the thing to get me to stat actually doing something about it.
  • durtydog Mar 15, 2011 @ 10:33 am | delete
    Do you know of any workshops or instruction books using polymer clay with metal clay?
  • Phyl Seidl Jan 25, 2011 @ 5:47 pm | delete
    Phyllis Seidl

    this is an immensly interesting & helpful site. Thank you.
  • Irenemaria Oct 17, 2010 @ 10:38 am | delete
    I would just love to try!
  • Kyle Mar 3, 2010 @ 4:22 pm | delete
    hello, i am doing a project where i have to create a model of the knee joint. which type of clay would work best? also, any ideas for what i can use for ligaments, tendons etc.?
    thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! k-payne16@hotmail.com
  • Noadi Mar 4, 2010 @ 3:22 pm | delete
    Polymer clay should work fine for that, you will want to build a good armature (I'd go with steel or brass rods instead of wire if you want the joint to move) and bulk up the form of the bones with aluminum foil or sculpey ultralight. If you want a static knew joint you can sculpt the tendons and ligaments in polymer clay as well with wire support inside.

    If you need it to be a working joint I'd consider using large stretchy rubber bands or tubing, say like the kind used for resistance exercise. You can find those cheap at walmart and cut them up using screws to attach them to the sculpted bones. Use the stretchiest ones you can, too stiff and the tension could crack the clay where you've secured it
  • Cherie_ Jan 22, 2010 @ 6:09 am | delete
    Santa brought me some clay and a pasta machine, been wanting to sculpt for quite a while! I will surely refer to this great lens for much needed help and advice, thanks for a super lens!
  • Treva Wells Jan 7, 2010 @ 11:55 pm | delete
    I have longed to make a nativity scene. I am an amateur, but love to sculpt. I have only done the lost wax method, then bronze. I need a lighter medium as the scene would have approx. 3' high figures. Have not figured out what medium for the bodies. They can;t be too heavy. I found this sight very informative and would love to hear any comments.
  • Noadi Jan 8, 2010 @ 2:14 am | delete
    Polymer clay is ideal for small figures, it's quite lightweight. You do want to use a wire armature for some added support inside.
  • PKsToy Nov 16, 2009 @ 11:24 pm | delete
    Very informative. I'm a real green horn when it comes to this medium, but so love it. I love wire work and want to incorporate the two. Your words are so on it's mark. Mahalo.
  • dustytoes Jun 7, 2009 @ 6:41 am | delete
    Your lenses have caused me to want to try my hand at this. I'll be referencing your lenses for answers to my many questions...great job!
  • dragonlady1353 Apr 16, 2009 @ 12:35 pm | delete
    Lots of great info. I make many figures out of clay but needed certain tips and got them here. thanx.
  • Meerkat Apr 2, 2009 @ 8:38 pm | delete
    Thanks so much for the concise info -- the best on the web
  • AbidingVineDesigns Feb 23, 2009 @ 11:45 pm | delete
    Thank you so much for taking the time to write about the basics of polymer clay. I'm just
    getting started. I have Premo in hand as I type (well, I put it down to type). I'm excited to
    try this fascinating art form!
  • Chris Jan 31, 2009 @ 6:25 am | delete
    Thank you so much, this is wonderful !!
  • sukkran Dec 26, 2008 @ 7:48 pm | delete
    really a great lens with good information, nice tips and valuable guidance. thks
    sukkran
  • d-artist Nov 2, 2008 @ 5:01 pm | delete
    great lens! years ago i made jewelry from polymer clay, I enjoyed it but was time consuming for me...too many interests I can't keep up with....5*
  • tenaciousp Oct 8, 2008 @ 9:43 am | delete
    Thank you so much for this lens. I am a beginner and have found this information invaluable in helping me get started. Thanks!
  • Ruth Sep 28, 2008 @ 1:21 am | delete
    Hi Sheryl, you're a resourceful creature indeed! I like the way you put things together here and on your site...I found you thru the ooak guild, XRuth
  • WritingforYourWealth Sep 14, 2008 @ 7:22 pm | delete
    Looks like a fun hobby to try. Great information!
  • kiwisoutback Aug 19, 2008 @ 6:45 pm | delete
    I sculpted some things in high school, I'm a much better painter though. It's really difficult for me, but you've made some excelllent suggestions. Nice work here on this lens!
  • The_Homeopath Aug 8, 2008 @ 2:08 pm | delete
    I'm not very talented in the sculptin department, but I have made some 1/12 scale butterflies for my dollhouse - they came out very well. Polymer clay has been an absolute godsend to the miniatures community.
  • adez7 Aug 3, 2008 @ 11:34 pm | delete
    Hi Noadi, Found this lens on Stumble and I just love it. So here is my two cents and my star dust to help it along its path~~! :)
  • poddys Jul 30, 2008 @ 8:36 pm | delete
    This is a really nice detailed lens. 5***** well deserved. I always wanted to work with clay, just never had the chance, and I'm not that artistic either.
  • mulberry Jul 26, 2008 @ 12:58 pm | delete
    Interesting, certainly easy to understand. Now all I need is eye hand coordination and like 40 billion hours of practice. You have impressive work!

by

Noadi

Hi! I'm Sheryl, a sculptor and jewelry designer, I create in polymer clay and mixed media, please visit Noadi's Art to see my work or my Etsy shop to buy.
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