What is polymer clay?

Polymer clay is not actually “clay,” but a type of modeling plastic based on the polymer polyvinyl chloride, also know an PVC (yes, the same stuff that hides under your sink). Mineral clay liquid is added in order to achieve its clay-like texture, and similarly, the polymer clay can be put into an oven to harden, hence its designation as “clay.”

Where do you get polymer clay?

You can buy polymer clay at any arts-and-crafts store such as Michaels or Joanns. You can also buy it online at any retailer. It is really not hard to find at all.

Are there many types of polymer clay?

Yes! There are lots of types of polymer clay. The difference between them will primarily be its base color, texture, flexibility, and its consistency. Basically, if you want to start easy, I would recommend Sculpey Original because if very flexible. However, if you would like to add lots of detail and are used to handling clay, I would recommend Super Sculpey or Super Sculpey Firm.

What is the difference between polymer clay and other clays (oil-based clay)?

Polymer clay hardens as a rock when you bake it at 275 F (per 6 mm thickness) NOT MICROWAVABLE!. After “curing” it in the oven, it can be sanded, drilled carved and painted with water-based acrylic paints.

Oil-based clay, or the clay that you used to play when you were a kid, does not dry. It also collects dust, hardens, softens, cracks, over time. In other words, it’s a pain if you are planning to make anything useful our of it!

Ceramic clay is water based and made from minerals. This is the old-school type of clay. Ceramic clay requires very high temperature to cure, and it is also very messy to handle.

There are many other types of clay, like the air-dry, fluffy, paperclay, etc. These are great, but if you want easy-to-manipulate clay, I highly recommend polymer clay.

If you’ve got a question or an opinion on this page, leave a comment at the bottom and I will be sure to respond to it! Thanks for visiting!