50 Polymer Clay Ideas & Projects - Best of the Best

Here are the top polymer clay ideas from the web. Get inspired with these polymer clay projects for yourself and gift-giving. If you’re new to experimenting with polymer clay, you are in for a treat!

Even if it has been a while since you got you last got your hands on some clay, you will be wanting to get crafting by the time you are done reading this. This roundup of polymer clay projects will give you ideas for jewelry, home decor, and even items you can personalize.

Best Polymer Clay Ideas Tutorial

Polymer clay is a popular crafting hobby, and the possibilities and ideas you can make with it are endless. While some of you may take up crafting polymer clay as a hobby, some others may want to run a small business of attractive clay items for sale. Who wouldn’t want to buy a little cute item for themselves or as a gift, after all?

What is Polymer Clay?

Polymer clay is a type of clay made from PVC which is baked in the oven to harden. It comes in a wide variety of colors and is great to use for small craft items. The best thing about using polymer clay for projects is that it will not cure or dry out until it is baked, making it a long lasting supply.

Common brands include Sculpey, Fimo, Kato, and Cernit. The best polymer clay to use will depend on your purpose. Some clays are firmer and thus better for sculpting. Polymer clay is usually sold in blocks of individual colors and can be purchased as craft stores as well as online.

Polymer Clay Tutorials for Beginners

Before you start with your polymer clay ideas or Fimo clay ideas, learn how to soften polymer clay and how to bake polymer clay, and read my in-depth polymer clay tutorial. These articles will give you all the tips and tricks you need to get great results with your clay.

Polymer Clay Tools

When starting on your polymer clay ideas, you will need a few basic tools. These are some of the common tools that most projects will use:

• Cutters - Many of these polymer clay ideas use cutters. You can purchase specialty polymer clay cutters or use cheaper cookie cutters.
• Rolling Pin - Polymer clay is rolled out flat with an acrylic rolling pin. The smooth acrylic will not stick easily to your clay.
• Working Surface - You will need a smooth working surface. Consider using tiles, smooth placemats, or pieces of marble.
• Findings - If making jewelry, you will need jump rings and or earring pieces.
• Oven - Polymer clay needs to be baked in a regular oven.

What to Make with Polymer Clay Crafts

Polymer clay has so many uses. Use polymer clay to make simple polymer clay projects like jewelry or keyrings. Cute polymer clay ideas for gifts include bowls and personalized bracelets.

There are so many things you can make with polymer clay, so I have broken it into 4 categories:

1. Polymer Clay Jewelry
2. Polymer Clay Ideas for Gifts
3. Polymer Clay with Leather Effects
4. Polymer Clay Home Decor
5. Polymer Clay Personalized Items

50 Easy Polymer Clay Ideas and Projects

Here are some of the best simple polymer projects and ideas from the web:

Polymer Clay Ideas FAQs

Crafters commonly face some issues while playing around with clay and working on polymer clay projects of varying natures. Read on to find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. 

How can I store polymer clay?

The most effective way to store polymer clay is by keeping it away from heat, in a cool and dark place, and preferably in its original packaging. If you have removed it from its original packaging, then use an airtight container or wax paper. 

Can I paint polymer clay?

Yes, you can paint your polymer clay ideas. You can use mica powders or acrylic paints. If you paint the clay after baking it, then you may need to apply several thin layers of acrylic paint for a good result. Top off the paint with some sealing coat or glaze.

Why should I condition polymer clay?

Conditioning the clay means making it soft through warming and softening. By conditioning clay, you make it more suitable for use, as shaping softer clay is far easier. Conditioned polymer clay is less prone to breakage, and thus, projects made with conditioned clay are comparatively more durable. You may use a pasta machine or a clay press to condition your clay. 

Why is my clay not softening?

The reason why your clay isn’t softening could be that it has become cured, either due to partial baking or exposure to excessive heat or UV light. This means that your clay will be crumbly, and it won’t condition, and partially cured clay is almost irreversible. You can try mixing in a few drops of mineral oil, liquid clay, or some clay softener into it to acquire a workable texture and consistency.

Is it necessary to bake polymer clay?

If you want your clay item to be more durable, we recommend you bake it. You can bake the polymer clay in your home oven to achieve the same results if a kiln is not accessible. The baking time for different clay items can range from 10 to 30 minutes.

Which is the best brand of polymer clay?

Multiple brands of polymer clay are available in the market. Some good brands for your polymer clay projects are:

• Fimo
• Cernit
• Kato
• Sculpey
• Arteza

Should I paint my oven-baked clay projects before or after baking them?

Try painting your polymer clay items after you bake them. For best results, apply several thin layers of paint, seal it with a glaze, and avoid placing it in direct sunlight. 

What can I use polymer clay for? 

When it comes to working with polymer clay, you can make pretty much whatever you can imagine and whatever inspires you. Here are a few polymer clay ideas to get you started: 

• Beads
• Buttons
• Garden ornaments
• Home Decor
• Jewelry
• Clay earrings
• Miniature items
• Repairing projects
• Sculptures

What does it mean to condition clay?

Conditioning clay means warming and kneading it before use. The kneading can be either done manually or with a clay-dedicated pasta machine or clay conditioning machine. Poorly conditioned or unconditioned clay can result in a weak product that is more prone to breakage. The extent of conditioning required depends upon the personal preference of the maker and the product consistency. 

Is over-conditioning of clay a possibility?

“Over conditioning” of clay is rare, although some clays tend to get softer the longer they are kneaded and exposed to warmth. In most cases, this is easily reversible by letting the clay rest overnight or chilling it for an hour. This should firm up the clay and give you the right working consistency. You can also try flattening clay with excessive clay softener in it into a sheet and letting it rest for 15 minutes between paper sheets. The paper will absorb the excessive additive. 

Polymer Clay Ideas – In Conclusion

Polymer clay modeling is an inexpensive and easy hobby. You can make a lot of crafts, from jewelry to cute little everyday crafts. You can also treat your garden with lovely pots, planters, gnomes, and mushrooms with some clay and paint the goodies in your favorite colors.