Five Things to Remember when Working with Polymer Clay

Posted on October 12, 2008
Filed Under Creativity, Studio | Leave a Comment

I have been working on a new project with polymer clay (photos & descriptions to come later). I’ve used it before but not to make so many things at a time. So here are a few things I’ve learned:

1. If you’re going to attach metal objects to the clay, just make an impression of it in the clay before baking and glue it on later.
2. Sand & buff before you attach your metal objects (my favorite adhesive is E6000).
3. Always sand with a sanding block that you can use in water. Polymer clay dust is not fun to have in your nasal cavities/lungs/sinuses/eyes.
4. When using steel wool to buff your pieces, wear protective gear. This means long sleeves, mask and full apron (leather if you have one).
5. Rhinestones, no matter how well you remember them being glass, are probably plastic, and do not bake well. 

When I finish my polyclay pieces, I prefer a matte sheen so I wet sand the rough edges & imperfections with a fine sanding block, follow up with a vigorous rub with steel wool (I have the “0″ steel wool) and then buff with my dremel buffing attachment. I think I should probably invest in a buffing wheel — the kind you attach to a workbench — at some point. It’ll make my wrists happy.

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  ARRRT! is the brainchild of Alexia Petrakos. Ok. Brainchild is a bit pretentious, but it's her creative playground of sorts. She makes and sells one-of-a-kind journals, handbags & other fun stuff. She also dabbles in mixed media art, collage & painting.