What is Polymer Clay?

Discover how to use this extremely flexible modelling material with Marisa Clemente

Polymer clay, which is also known as Fimo or plastic clay, is a versatile material that allows you to create handmade jewellery like earrings or necklaces, as well as sculpture, decorative items, toy art, key rings, pendants and countless other items.

In this video, Marisa Clemente (@thefolkyfox), creator of The Folky Fox and an expert polymer clay artist explains what this material is and what you can use it for.

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Why choose polymer clay?
This malleable material is easy to manipulate and is cooked in the oven to make it go hard. This allows you to work more freely and in more versatile ways, making it suitable for use in all kinds of handcrafts. It’s ideal for people starting out in craft and who are still discovering their design aesthetic.

Unlike traditional pottery, which requires special high-temperature kilns, and therefore a greater investment, polymer clay is cooked in standard low-temperature ovens, the kind everyone has at home. Cooking produces a hard, tough, and very durable plastic.

Polymer clay is also available in a range of colors and finishes, from metallic to precious stone and granite.
Where do I find it?

At any art and craft store. There are a lot of brands out there, the best known and most reliable are: Fimo, DAS, Sculpey, Premo, Kato, Beesputty, Cernit and Pardo. Fimo is the most popular brand in Spain and the UK.
Polymer clay is also sold under the name ‘plastic clay’ or ‘soft clay’.

Did you like this explanation? Marisa Clemente teaches polymer clay techniques and shows you how to create personalized necklaces in her online course: Creating Jewelry With Polymer Clay.

English version by @studiogaunt

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- Discover the Colors that will Trend and Triumph in 2021.
- Jewelry Tutorial: Create a Flower with Polymer Clay.
- 10 Ceramic Artists That Will Inspire You.