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POLYMER CLAY TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

Clay allows us to express our imaginations through our hands — and the medium that allows the most possibilities is oven-bake clay. Polymer clay offers so many benefits, it's great for new crafters.

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ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS TO GET STARTED CREATING WITH CLAY

Beginners

Welcome to the wonderful world of crafting! At Sculpey®, we have a wide range of products designed with beginners in mind to help you create clay creations effortlessly. For beginners with an interest in clay, our polymer clay is ideal for finding your own style as a clayer because of its easy-to-sculpt formula that stays soft until you bake it in your home oven.

Our Sculpey® oven-bake clay is also a great medium for any creation you have in mind. Whether you want to start with small, multimedia accents or create stunning earrings, you'll quickly learn clay techniques that will start your journey off right.

The Benefits of Polymer Clay

The main benefit of using polymer clay at the beginning of your crafting journey is its unique formulation. Our Sculpey® polymer clay stays soft and flexible until it's baked. Because it remains pliable, it's a great clay for beginners to use.

Its unique formula will let you craft all day until you get your design exactly how you pictured it. It will also maintain its shape, allowing you to add in extra details. You can even learn how to craft with your kids. If they leave their project and come back to it later, their clay will be just as pliable as they left it.

Tips for Using Polymer Clay

When you're using polymer clay for the first time, you can incorporate a few tips into your craft session to make it even more of a success:

  • Use effective tools: With whatever design you have in mind, tools will make your crafting process even easier. By using our Sculpey Tools™ Clay Tool Starter Set, you'll become a clay pro in no time!
  • Store your clay properly: Our polymer clay doesn't dry out, so you don't have to worry about using air-tight packaging. However, organizing it by type and color is helpful for future crafts.
  • Paint your creation: After you've baked your polymer clay, you can add additional details with acrylic paint, which will make your first project more eye-catching and unique.

Easy Beginner Projects

If you want inspiration for your first polymer project, we have various ideas for clay beginners that will make you fall in love with crafting and give you the skills you need to become a pro clayer. A few of our beginner projects include:

  • Plant vases: You can create an eye-catching vase for your plants with our Sculpey Premo™ clay. Choose your favorite colors and craft away!
  • Carved wall tile: Make your walls unique by creating one-of-a-kind tiles. Once our polymer clay is baked, you can carve a mandala or striped design into it.
  • Bangle bracelets: Our Sculpey III® clay comes in a wide selection of finishes such as metallic and glitter, which are ideal for creating stunning bracelets.

Shop Our Polymer Clay and Start Today

If you want to enter the world of crafting, our Sculpey® polymer clays for beginners are a great place to start. Browse our range of polymer products to find the right clay to bring your vision to life. We supply the tools, you supply the creativity!

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PROJECTS PERFECT FOR PEOPLE NEW TO CLAY

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Polymer Clay for Beginners

Welcome to the wonderful world of crafting! At Sculpey®, we have a wide range of products designed with beginners in mind to help you create clay creations effortlessly. For beginners with an interest in clay, our polymer clay is ideal for finding your own style as a crafter because of its easy-to-sculpt formula that stays soft until you bake it in your home oven.

Our Sculpey® oven-bake clay is also a great medium for any creation you have in mind. Whether you want to start with small, multimedia accents or create stunning earrings, you'll quickly learn clay techniques that will start your journey off right.

The Benefits of Polymer Clay

The main benefit of using polymer clay at the beginning of your crafting journey is its unique formulation. Our Sculpey® polymer clay stays soft and flexible until it's baked. Because it remains pliable, it's a great clay for beginners to use. 

Its unique formula will let you craft all day until you get your design exactly how you pictured it. It will also maintain its shape, allowing you to add in extra details. You can even learn how to craft with your kids. If they leave their project and come back to it later, their clay will be just as pliable as they left it.

7 Helpful Tips for Using Polymer Clay

When you're using polymer clay for the first time, you can incorporate a few tips into your craft session to make it even more of a success.

1. Choose Quality Clay

High quality polymer clay is easier to work with for beginners. It is more durable after baking, helping your project turn out the way you envisioned. Quality clay will also hold your project for years to come, so you can always look back on your first polymer clay creation.

2. Condition Your Clay

After you unwrap your brand new clay, you will want to condition it to make it easier to work with. Cut the clay into pieces and knead it with your hands. The warmth will create malleability for shaping and molding.

3. Use effective tools

With whatever design you have in mind, tools will make your crafting process even easier. You can use conventional tools such as our Sculpey Tools™ Clay Tool Starter Set or opt for more unconventional methods. Find items around your house to add unique textures to your clay, such as toothbrushes, plastic straws, forks or crumpled aluminum foil.

4. Remove Finger Prints With Rubbing Alcohol

Malleable clay is much easier to shape but also makes fingerprints more visible. After your design is complete, isopropyl rubbing alcohol does the trick to remove fingerprints from your project. Simply dip a cotton tip or paper towel in the alcohol and gently rub the fingerprint spots. Be sure to do this before you bake the clay!

5. Use Proper Baking Times

Your polymer clay will come with baking instructions on its label. Be sure to follow these carefully. Do not raise the temperature or use a microwave to bake it — that will melt or burn the clay. When baking, your clay project will cure more completely when placed on a middle rack, away from the heating element of your oven. Use an oven thermometer to confirm your oven is at the right temperature.

6. Paint your creation

After you've baked your polymer clay, you can add additional details with acrylic paint, which will make your first project more eye-catching and unique. You can also sand your creation with fine grit sandpaper before painting to remove texture and make your sculpture smooth.

7. Store your clay properly

While our Sculpey polymer clay does not dry out, clay can easily pick up dust or other materials when left untouched. Storing your clay in plastic wrap or a container can ensure it stays fresh for your next project. Here's another tip — organize it by color to make your future craft preparation much easier.

Beginner-Friendly Polymer Clay Projects

If you want inspiration for your first polymer project, we have various ideas for clay beginners that will make you fall in love with crafting and give you the skills you need to become a pro clay crafter. A few of our beginner projects include:

- Plant vases: You can create an eye-catching vase for your plants with our Sculpey Premo™ clay. Choose your favorite colors and craft away!

- Carved wall tile: Make your walls unique by creating one-of-a-kind tiles. Once our polymer clay is baked, you can carve a mandala or striped design into it.

- Bangle bracelets: Our Sculpey III® clay comes in a wide selection of finishes such as metallic and glitter, which are ideal for creating stunning bracelets.

- Statement earrings: Create your next statement accessory to match your favorite outfits using polymer clay. You can use one solid color, marble the clay or add raised designs — just be sure to poke the hook hole on the top before you bake!

Shop Our Beginner-Friendly Polymer Clay and Start Today

If you want to enter the world of crafting, our Sculpey® polymer clays for beginners is a great place to start. Browse our range of polymer products to find the right clay to bring your vision to life. We supply the tools, you supply the creativity!

Shop for Beginner-Friendly Polymer Clay