Supplies: The basic supplies are clay, slicing blade (also called tissue blade), and a roller are needed. You also need a conventional oven or a toaster oven, keeping in mind that you need to be able to control the temperature accurately. A pasta machine that can be dedicated to working with clay is useful.
Conditioning the clay: When taken out of the package, polymer clay is a firm rectangular shape. It needs to be conditioned in order to achieve the necessary pliability. Conditioning can be done by hand or with a pasta machine. If you are using very firm clay such as FIMO Classic, you may first want to cut up the block of clay in a blender.
Form the clay. If you are conditioning the clay by hand, break off a small piece and roll it around in your hands. loosely into a ball, press it against the table until it is flat, roll it into a snake shape, stretch the snake, bend it in half. Keep doing this until the clay is nice and pliable.
Pasta machine: Run the clay through the thickest setting, fold the clay sheet in half, and run it through the machine again ( on progressively thinner settings) until the clay is pliable. Some clays will tend to crumble and this can be annoying. If you have crumbling, then press the crumbs together into a clump. Keep pressing until you have a clump about 2-3” in size, press it down against the table, and then put it through the thickest setting on your machine.
Now it’s time to create! If you aren’t sure what you want to make, get ideas by looking through books, jewelry magazines, and the internet. Use a flat work surface such as a cookie sheet, tile, or piece of plexiglass. Wear a pair of tight fitting disposable gloves to avoid getting fingerprints on your piece.
After forming your creation you will need to bake it in the oven. Follow the instructions on the package as there is some variability between brands of clay. Most clays bake at around 270 degrees F for about 30 minutes. It is best to put your pieces on some type of baking tray while in the oven.
Once the piece has cooled off, you can give it a finished look by using a glossy or matte glaze, or by hand polishing using a very fine grit sand paper (sand your piece while holding it under water).
Safety tips: Polymer clay is non-toxic. Nevertheless, you don’t want to eat it, so avoid eating while working with clay and be sure to wash your hands well afterwards.
You may find it useful to grab some kitchen tools to use with your clay (knives, rolling pin, cutting board, pasta machine, cookie cutters, blender, etc.). However, once a tool is used for polymer clay it can no longer be used for food.
Be sure to let the clay piece cool off before removing it from the oven.
Storing your clay: Place unused clay into zip lock bags, and store those in a Tupperware type of container.Keep the clay out of the heat and sunlight as these will diminish the workability of the clay.
