Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is a plastic compound that can be molded into different forms. It must be baked in an oven in order to be cured and to preserve molded forms. Polymer clay does not contain actual clay, but acts much like it. However, polymer clay products are not considered food safe.

The first known polymer clay product was invented in Germany in the late 1930s. The formula was sold in the 1960s to Eberhard Faber, who marketed it as FIMO (Fifi's Modeling Clay). Other manufacturers were simultaneously developing similar products in Germany. Formello and Modello clays are two products resulting from those developments.

Originally, these clays were mainly used for crafts such as doll- and miniature-making. Eventually, the clay gained popularity and was sold in stores for children and as an artistic medium.

In the early 1970s, the Shaups, a German family, began importing polymer clay to America. As the material became more popular, other American companies began to import it as well, while others began to work on their own versions of the product. In the 1960s, an industrial compound called polyform had been developed, but the project had been put aside when it seemed it would not be marketable for anything. As polymer clay gained popularity as a modeling and craft compound, polyform soon became Sculpey/Polyform.

The first widely-sold Sculpey clay was white. Artists who wished to have colored clay learned to mix in chalk or tempera paints. Manufacturers began adding colors to the clay around 1984.

Tools:

• Old household/kitchen implements such as knives, rolling pins, wire, needles, cookie cutters, garlic presses, and graters
• Wax paper or some other means of protecting surfaces
• Craft knives
• Ruler
• Purchased clay sculpting tools
• Oven for baking the clay
• Clear varnish (optional)

Techniques

While polymer clay projects can be fun for children, supervision is essential as the material does contain toxins. Surfaces such as plastic laminates and finished wood should be protected from contact with the clay. Baking instructions should be followed carefully. Though baking the clay at recommended temperatures is fairly safe, chemicals are released in the process, and many artists prefer to bake projects in something like an old toaster oven which is no longer used for cooking food. Adequate ventilation while baking is essential as well, and some artists go so far as to use their ovens in an open or outdoor area. The fumes can be toxic if the heat is too high and the clay starts to burn.

Some helpful tips:

• Poke holes through clay beads before baking.
• Metal pin backings can be applied before baking, but often stay on better if glued on to the finished piece when cool.
• Lining a baking surface (such as a glass pie plate or metal cookie sheet) with parchment paper will prevent shiny spots from developing on the bottom of objects.
• Disposable aluminum trays and bamboo skewers are excellent for baking beads – the skewer ends can be poked through the sides of the tray.
• An old grater can give a rough surface to clay; an old garlic press can be used to create the appearance of hair or fur.

Trends

Polymer clay is not a very old art material, but it has been used by artists to make a wide array of materials. Buttons and beads are very common projects, as they can easily be made to match clothing and accessories. Twisting various colors together to form canes, then slicing them, is a method popularly used to create such items. Canes are often designed to produce a particular image, such as a heart or snowflake. When cut, every slice produces an identical image. The slices can also be attached together and rolled into balls to make the popular milleflori (French for "millions of flowers") patterns. Pre-made canes can now be purchased in stores.

Polymer Clay for Fun vs. Profit

Many artists do market their work. Ornaments, beads, earrings, buttons and pins are some of the most popular items made from polymer clay to be sold. Arts and crafts fairs are a good place to find a market for well-made objects. Internet commerce, including sites such as eBay and Etsy, have made it easier for craftspeople to offer their wares around the world. Some artists also sell bigger items such as small vases, and clay-covered light switches, mirror or picture frames.

Learning More

Organizations

American Craft Council <http://www.craftcouncil.org/>

British Polymer Clay Guild <http://www.bpcg.org.uk/>

International Polymer Clay Association <http://www.theipca.org/>

Books

Chen, Emily. Polymer Clay for Beginners. Walter Foster, 2019.

Gikow, Jacqueline. Polymer Clay - Creating Functional and Decorative Objects. Krause Publications, 2001.

Heaser, Sue. The Polymer Clay Techniques Book. North Light Books, 1999.

Richards, Kris. New Ways With Polymer Clay. Chilton Co., 1997.

Wilkes, Lori. Working with Polymer Clay. Kalmbach Books, 2012.