The Complete List of Polymer Clay Supplies and Tools

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Looking for a fun, new art medium to get into? Polymer clay is an amazing craft that even the youngest artist can enjoy!  Even professional artists enjoy this versatile medium! I started sculpting little figurines with polymer clay when I was very young and really fell in love with clay. As an adult, I dove into pottery and ceramics. Even though the two are quite different, the skills and techniques that I learned from polymer clay have been incredibly handy!

If you’ve ever been interested in diving into the world of polymer clay, you may not know where to start. HERE are a few great beginner projects that you can make with polymer clay. Before you get started though, you’ll need to know what tools and supplies you need to really take advantage of this amazing craft. Looking for the ultimate guide to polymer clay tools and supplies? This list is for you!

“ the Complete List of Polymer Clay Supplies and Tools” by the midnight mustard seed. Sculpey Premo and Clay cutters on a work surface

What is Polymer Clay?

Polymer clay is a type of modern modeling compound made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It is flexible and easy to work with like traditional clay, but can be cured by being baked in a conventional home oven. While it is similar to traditional clay, it does require a little more conditioning before use as it is slightly firmer than regular clay. The plasticity of this clay makes it an excellent medium for incorporating fine details into your work. This oven-bake clay is also generally considered a nontoxic and safe medium to work with.  It is more resilient than an air-dry clay and is an excellent choice if you want a long-lasting craft.

What Can You Make With Polymer Clay?

There are so many possible projects that you can create with polymer clay.  Many polymer clay artists use this clay to create beautiful, colorful jewelry. One of my favorite things to create, and what began my clay journey, is making cute characters or figurines. You could craft dollhouse furniture, trinket dishes, or even your own polymer clay version of a ceramic tile. The possibilities are truly endless. 

The only thing that polymer clay cannot be used to make are vessels intended for food use. Polymer clay is not food safe and does not become fully vitrified when it is baked. Traditional clay has to undergo a vitrification process that makes the clay nonporous. This prevents mold from growing in your vessel or potent leaching of chemicals into your food. Polymer clay was created primarily for decorative, non-food related use only.

What is The Best Brand of Polymer Clay?

There are several brands of polymer clay out there, but the question is, which one is best? My all time favorite polymer clay is Sculpey. It’s what I have used forever, and there are so many variations available. It is easy to find at any local craft store. Sculpey offers a few different product lines like Sculpey Premo, Sculpey iii, and Super Sculpey. Sculpey iii is a highly workable oven-hardening clay that retains its soft texture, making it an excellent option for beginners. Sculpey Premo is better suited for more advanced clay artists. It is soft, but firmer than the Sculpey iii. Super Sculpey is a wonderful option for more advanced projects like doll making or clay animation. It is the closest option to ceramic clay and is excellent for capturing fine details.  It is available in multiple levels of malleability.

There are, of course, other brands of polymer clay out there on the market that will work just fine if you can’t find Sculpey. One brand of polymer clay that has excellent reviews as well is Fimo. This brand offers many different lines of clay with various visual effects such as metallic, leather, or the traditional polymer clay look. I do recommend starting with Fimo Soft if you are a beginner as the Fimo brand tends to make stiffer clays. Now that we’ve talked a little bit about what polymer clay is, what it can be used for, and what the best brands are, let’s discuss what tools and supples you will need to start making things with clay!

Complete List of Polymer Clay Supplies and Tools

There are so many tools available on the market when it comes to polymer clay. Several of these beginner tools are very helpful, game changing utensils that really help you make the most of what your clay is capable of. There are also tools that aren’t really necessary, but may just be nice to have. The truth is that you can really use anything as a clay tool- especially old kitchen items! You don’t have to invest a lot of money into your clay tool box to find things that work great or serve a useful purpose. In this list, I will cover the basic tools as well as specialty tools and odds and ends. 

Clays

We’ve talked about the best brands of clay above, and you really can’t go wrong with any of those options. You can purchase a variety of colors or you can mix your own colors by kneading a few colors together. Sculpey has a great multipack for their Sculpey iii and Sculpey Premo lines that would make a great beginner set or gift. You can find clays with all different effects or looks, like metallic clays, leather-feel clay, super soft clay, or even clay that looks like stones! 

Sculpting Tools 

Modeling and sculpting tools are, in my opinion, essentials that you need to have in your arsenal. They are relatively inexpensive and can make a huge difference in the quality of your clay work. The Sculpey essential tool kit is a great set to start with. Sculpey tools aren’t the only tools fit for the job. Pottery tools also work great for polymer clay. If you can only grab a few tools, I’d recommend a cutting tool of some sort, a needle tool, and a sculpting stylus. 

Rollers

One of the nice to have, but not absolutely necessary polymer clay tools is a clay roller. This tool essentially helps you roll out a sheet of clay in an even thickness. It is great for jewelry making or making a slab of clay to work from. A pasta machine is basically the same thing and will work just as well! If you don’t want to spend the money on one, a rolling pin will work great too!

Extruders

Clay extruders are tools  made of a cylinder tube with a die on the end. It pushes clay through various die to make different shapes. An extruded will create a coil or rope in the shape of your choice. It is very helpful for making your own beads, coil crafts, or clay logs. I have the Sculpey clay extruder, but there are off brands available as well.

Molds/ Bead Makers

If you are interested in making clean shapes or beads, then you may want to grab a few molds or the Sculpey bead maker. While these tools are not necessary, they can speed up your clay process a ton. There are molds available in so many different shapes- from doll parts to leaves or florals. While I don’t prefer molds because I’d rather sculpt my own things, some clay artists swear by them! It’s really just personal preference and the look you are going for in your specific project.

Cutters

Clay cutters are a great thing to have in your tool box, especially if you are interested in jewelry making. There are cutters in every shape imaginable: circle cutters square cutters, leaf cutters, etc. Sculpey offers their own clay cutters in different sizes, but honestly an old cookie cutter will work just as great! Just find the shape you like and go for it!

Texture Rollers/Mats

If you are interested in creating textures on your clay surfaces, you may want to grab a few texture rollers or mats. These tools make various impressions on your clay surface, adding interest to a clay slab. Texture rollers are popular among jewelry artists and are often used to create textures for realistic sculptures as well.

Softeners

Softener is a great thing to have if you have some old clay that is a little too hard. It comes colorless so that it will not affect the look of your project. It will only help to soften it up.

Glazes

Glazes, while completely optional, are a way to add texture or sheen to your polymer clay projects. Glaze is available in matte or gloss. It is applied after your clay is baked .

Baking Supplies

As far as baking supplies go, all you will need is a few old cookie sheets, some parchment paper, and a home oven. Be sure to line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Once your unlined baking sheet is used to bake clay, it is no longer safe to use for food.  Place your unbaked clay on the prepared baking sheet and follow the temperature and time instructions on your clay packaging. **Aluminum foil is also useful for supporting clay while baking if it needs to retain a specific shape or arch. Some people also use aluminum foil to sculpt armatures for the insides of their clay sculptures.

Acrylic Paints

If you are looking to add painterly details or effects to your clay, acrylic paint is the way to go. Most any acrylic paint will work for this,but my personal preference is always Golden Acrylics. You will be able to use the acrylic paints like you would on traditional canvas to add any effects that you’d like!

Jewelry Making Equipment

For jewelry making, you may need to grab a few essentials. Jump rings, earring posts or hooks, chains, or leather straps are some of the most commonly needed jewelry supplies. Sculpey also offers bead baking racks if you plain to make your own 3D beads. Keep these on hand and you should be good to make any jewelry project!

I hope this supplies list helps you get started on your polymer clay journey! If you are looking for a few polymer clay or pottery projects to try, you can find my clay tutorials HERE. Be sure to subscribe and follow along for new project ideas, art supply guides, and more! Happy sculpting!

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