What is Polymer Clay?
by Maria Nerius, Craft Concierge

Supplies Needed

• Polymer Clay: Clay specifically designed to be cured in household oven or toaster oven
• Baking Tray: To place clay items on to bake, cover with aluminum foil
• Rubber stamps, clay tools, molds: To make patterns or images into the clay
• Craft Knife, NuBlade™ , tissue blade (or other thin cutting tool)
  
  Optional:
• Dedicated pasta machine or food processing unit to condition clay
• Dedicated rolling pin to evenly flatten clay (if necessary) for your project
• Small cookie cutters or shaped clay cutters

General Instructions

1. Preheat oven to temperature recommended by manufacturer. Make sure you check the label because not all manufacturers recommend the same cooking temperature.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly. Condition the clay by kneading it in your hands until pliable.
3. Roll clay out to 1/4" thickness. Stamp an image into the clay with a rubberstamp. Or press clay into any type of mold and remove. You can also made 3-D figures like a teddy bear or snowman. Trim with cutting tool if needed.
4. Place on clean cooking sheet. Place in heated oven.
5. Note baking time on label. Manufacturers vary, but an average is 15 minutes per 1/4" thickness. Clay hardens as it is cured/cooked by the heat.
6. Remove from oven and allow to completely cool before handling.
7. Never use an oven temperature higher than the manufacture's recommended temperature. Never let clay burn or smoke.

Additional Information

• There are wonderful cutting, shaping, and design tools on the market for polymer clays, but don’t forget that toothpicks, paper clips, cookie cutters, and pencils are handy tools too.
• Polymer clay adheres to most surfaces with a dab or two of glue.
• Another wonderful way to use your rubberstamps.
• You can make buttons to coordinate with your designs and projects.
• Polymer clay can also be hand-shaped or sculpted. There are also push molds available to help create 3-D elements.

Sources:  www.theclaystore.com