Polymer Clay Buying Guide
Why is it called a driveway if you park in it? Why is it called a parkway if you drive on it? Some of life's mysterious questions may never be answered, but your musings about polymer
clay can. Although it's not actually a clay and it contains no clay minerals, its texture and sculptability very much resemble that of clay, and thus the name. It's super-popular in
craft and
hobby shops as well as art stores, but if you want to get the scoop before you give in to the trend, check out this guide!
What It's Used For
Polymer clay is easy to use, and thus can be handled by children and adults alike. It's most often used for:
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'''Sculpting'''. From large bowls to tiny figurines and other miniatures.
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'''Jewellery'''. Can be made into pendants, earrings and barrettes. May serve as faux stones.
* '''Cover'''. Cover everyday items to give them pizazz like pens or candle holders, or create holders for fragile valuables.
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'''Painting'''. Use polymer resins and oils on canvas.
* '''Impressing'''. Use to create stamps, texture sheets and needle tools.
* '''Multi-Purpose. '''Combine with wire, paper, charms, fabric or beads.
FAQs
Can you mix brands of polymer clay?
* Mixing brands shouldn't cause you any problems, and it might actually allow you to benefit from the special properties of both.
How do I choose colours?
* Choosing the right colour clay obviously depends on personal preference and the project you're working on, but there are some colours that function better than others.
** Finely detailed work is made more noticeable with contrast, so try placing light clays next to dark ones.
** The artistic impact of a piece can be increased if you use related colours, like similar earth tones or citruses.
** Metallic and black clays mixed together often cause a shrinking effect.
Popular Brands
Make sure you read the contents of each package before purchase. Certain brands have distinct properties, and you'll want to purchase the clay that will work best for your purposes.
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Fimo
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Polyform
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Sculpey
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