All About Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is a PVC compound. It's not real "clay", at least not in terms of clay you can find in the earth, but it has a clay-like consistency. You can mold it into just about anything you want.

Polymer clay hardens at relatively low temperatures in a conventional oven.

There are different brands of polymer clay. The original is Fimo, which was first invented in the early 1930s. Fimo Classic is hard to sculpt, but it resists breaking when hardened and almost resembles porcelain. Fimo Soft is a soft, mushy version of original Fimo, which is good for kids and people with arthritis.

Sculpey III is the most popular and readily available version of polymer clay. It comes in a wide variety of colors and is extremely soft and squishy. People with cold hands, arthritic problems, or an extremely light touch will do best with this brand.

Premo tends to be the clay of choice for makers of sculptures and dolls. Although it's a slightly tacky/sticky clay, it also holds its shape very well while you're working with it.

Kato is one of the newest polymer clays on the market. Like Fimo Classic, it is very hard to condition (soften). But once it's soft and pliable in your hands, it works beautifully and creates the strongest sculptures. It's also the most color-true after baking.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that you can only use polymer clay for dorky-looking sculptures that look as though your kid made something out of play dough. This couldn't be further from the truth. Polymer clay is a versatile medium: The only limit is your imagination.

You can create jewelry that resembles glass, ivory, turquoise, jade, lapis lazuli, or even metal. You can cover eggs to create gorgeous Easter patterns. You can create cartoon sculptures, or you can create realistic figures in polymer clay. Some people even use polymer clay to create home decor items, such as vases or large coffee table sculptures.

Eberhard Faber Fimo Classic Polymer Clay

Super Sculpey

Premo! Sculpey Artists' Polymer Clay

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