Tutorial for Beginner
Getting Started
Are you ready to start creating with polymer clay? With your Polymer Clay DIY Kit in hand and some good music you are ready for a fun time creating unique designs. Here’s what you will need to get started:
- Make sure you have a clean, flat surface to work on.
- Keep a few basic tools on hand, such as a roller, baking paper, and shaping tools (a toothpick, plastic knife, or even your fingers will work).
- Remove the protective plastic from the roller and acrylic plate if they have.
- Keep unused clay in the resealable bag to prevent it from drying out.
How to Condition Polymer Clay
Take a small piece of clay and warm it up in your hands by kneading and rolling it until it becomes soft and pliable.
If you are using a small quantity of clay you can condition it just by kneading it with your fingers. If however you need to use a larger quantity of clay, you use the roller to condition the clay. Simply roll the clay until getting it to a slab around 3mm think, fold it in two and the roll it again from the fold to the open side to avoid air bubbles. Repeat this process until the sides are smooth looking.
This process can be made easier also with a pasta machine, if you have one. In order to avoid bubbles, just keep in mind to always roll from the fold to the tips.
Clean Cutting with Clay Cutters
Clay cutters are fantastic tools, but sometimes the clay might adhere to them. To prevent this, you can:
Use corn starch: lightly dust the cutter with corn starch. This acts as a barrier, preventing the clay from sticking. Remember to tap off excess corn starch before cutting. If there is some corn starch left on the clay after cutting simply brush it away gently with a makeup brush.
Use water: wet the cutter’s edge slightly. The water creates a temporary non-stick layer between the cutter and clay.
Use plastic wrap: place a layer of plastic wrap or cling film over your clay before using the cutter. This not only prevents sticking but also gives a rounded, smooth edge to your cut-out shapes.
Adding Texture and Detail to Your Clay
The beauty of polymer clay is its ability to capture intricate details, allowing you to enhance the uniqueness of your project. Here are a few ways to add texture and detail to your creations:
DIY Texturing Tools: simple household items can become texturing tools. Consider using a toothpick for fine lines, a needle for delicate dots, sandpaper for a rough texture, or even a toothbrush to achieve a stippled effect.
Pattern Imprints: for more intricate patterns, items like rubber stamps or lace can be pressed onto the clay surface. By pressing these textured surfaces into your clay, you can achieve beautiful, detailed imprints. Remember to gently remove the item to preserve the pattern.
Experiment with different tools and materials to find what textures and details appeal to you most.
Preparing Your Project for Baking
Before taking your creation to the oven, some preparatory steps are crucial for a polished result.
Trimming Excess Clay: cutting away extra clay before baking helps you achieve cleaner edges and reduces the time you’ll spend sanding afterwards. A craft knife is excellent for this purpose.
Creating Holes for Jump Rings: if you are creating designs that need to be connected by jump rings, pre-make these holes using toothpick. Doing this prior to baking makes the post-bake assembly more straightforward.
Baking Polymer Clay
Polymer clay is non-toxic and can be baked on the conventional kitchen oven or mini-oven. It’s best however to not use trays or surfaces that are used with food when baking polymer clay. And do not bake polymer clay on a microwave. Here are the important steps when baking polymer clay:
Preheating the Oven: always start by preheating your oven to the temperature specified on your clay’s packaging. A properly heated oven ensures even curing of your project.
Preparing the Baking Surface: line a baking sheet with printing paper or baking paper. Alternatively, you can use a ceramic tile as a base for your clay pieces. These surfaces prevent sticking and allow for easy removal after baking.
Baking Time: adhere to the time recommendation on your clay packaging at the first time. During baking, it’s essential to periodically check your items to prevent them from over-baking or burning.
Post-Baking: After the baking time is up, remove your project from the oven. Allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet or tile before handling to ensure it has set properly.
Once cool, your clay should be able to bend without breaking. If the clay snaps, the oven is not hot enough or clay is baked for too short . If the clay darkens, it is too hot or clay is baked for too long.
By carefully following these baking steps, you’ll ensure the quality and longevity of your polymer clay project.
Finishing Touches After Baking
Your polymer clay creation is almost complete. Here are a few more tips that may be helpful:
Sanding: if you find rough or uneven edges on your baked pieces, a touch of fine sandpaper or nail file can smooth things out. Sand gently in a circular motion to avoid gouging the material.
Adding Effects and Protection: painting, varnishing, or glazing your project can offer both aesthetic enhancements and additional protection. It’s crucial to choose products that are compatible with polymer clay to ensure a long-lasting finish.
Now you can enjoy you polymer clay creations or start the process again to make new designs and try different methods and techniques.
See More Color
Our Keoker polymer clay is enough to allow beginners to enjoy the fun of clay. If you want to be a polymer clay artist. We strongly recommend using the Sculpey polymer clay.
Tutorial Video 1
