Did you know that you can add inclusions to your polymer clay if you’re looking to add more texture and dimension? From glitter, to mica powders, to even spices straight from the pantry, the possibilities for creating custom clay creations are endless! I love adding extra “ingredients” to my clay projects, and I’m excited to show you some of my favorites.
Glitter is one of my go-to’s for adding extra sparkle to my clay creations. When it comes to choosing a glitter to use, I recommend going as fine as possible. To incorporate it into raw polymer clay, knead and condition the clay well, and then squish it flat. Pour some glitter into the center, and then fold it over multiple times until the glitter is fully incorporated.
If you’d like to give your project a sparkly finish, another option is to gently brush the glitter right onto the surface, and it sticks immediately to the clay! For a guaranteed shed-free piece, I would recommend brushing a thin layer of clay adhesive to the raw clay before applying the glitter, or apply a light coat of glaze or sealant to the baked clay.
Another one of my favorite ways to add shimmery color is to incorporate mica powders. There are a variety of mica powder colors and finishes to choose from - you can even use powdered makeup, like eyeshadows! Like the glitter, you can mix the mica into the clay or you can brush the powder onto the surface.
In the image below, I’ve got a comparison for you! The first, on the left, is polymer clay with no mica inclusion. The middle has mica brushed on, and the last piece of clay has been mixed evenly with the mica. The piece on the bottom left is white polymer clay combined with the same mica powder, which makes the clay a gorgeous color, but lighter in shade.
Adding foil flakes is easy to combine with clay, and come in a variety of colors. I love how the foil adds a stunning shimmer, and looks great in jewelry. You can also apply foil sheets to the surface of the clay for a more solid foil finish.
Did you know that your pantry is currently holding a vast array of polymer clay inclusions? That’s right, you can totally add herbs and spices to your clay for a unique color and texture. As long as it’s dry, you can likely use it. Some spices even add a light scent to the clay, but it is likely that it won’t last a long time. Most spices give the clay a rock or granite look, and sometimes even resemble sand.
Alcohol ink is an inclusion that is often used to add extra pigment to clay, but it’s not always my preferred method unless it’s combined with translucent polymer clay. Once baked, the pigments from the ink combined with the clay give it a colorful glass-like finish.
When added to white clay, it will always have a pastel finish, no matter how much ink is added. Speaking of which, you need to be careful about how much alcohol ink is added to the clay. Since it’s a liquid, the texture of the clay can become a bit more sticky.
Last, but not least, are solid inclusions that are placed on top of the clay for all kinds of creative projects. Things like microbeads, small stones, polymer clay shavings, sand, and even dried flowers will add different colors and textures to the clay. As long as they are dry, they can be added!
There are so many different kinds of inclusions to add to clay to create something unique. I hope this list of my favorite “ingredients” helps you feel inspired to make something creative today!.
Be sure to share your favorite Sculpey creations with us by using the hashtag #HowDoYouSculpey and don’t forget to mention which clay you are using (#Premo or #Souffle)!
