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Working with Polymer Clay is Easy and Fun!

by Wayne Wargo (PenWay.org)

Do you enjoy being creative and making things by molding them into various sizes, shapes and figures? If you are, then clay is something that you can use to make any sculpture that you would like and you may want to consider using polymer clay, which is a great substitute for commercial clay. This type of clay will require you to bake it at a very low temperature. You will find that polymer clay is something that is available in bold and bright colors and can be very easy to work with. Check your local craft stores or on the Internet for this wonderful product.

There are numerous tools available to shape polymer clay when you’re making crafts. There are plenty of household items that you can use to help you to make your craft, but many people find that their hands and fingers are the best tools. There are an abundant amount of supplies you can buy for making interesting patterns that can easily be impressed into the clay. In the kitchen, consider using a rolling pin to smooth out the clay. You don’t want to cross contaminate though. This means that you can’t use a rolling pin that you used on food. A separate rolling pin should be purchased just for crafts.

There are many common kitchen items to use with polymer clay, but it is the pasta machine that is mostly used. This is great for rolling slabs out of the clay. This is not usually possible with a rolling pin, because of the amount of pressure needed to roll out the clay.

After creating the shapes that you want from the polymer clay, you will find that you can bake it in an appropriate oven for a period of time and your clay will take permanent hold. Most polymer clay needs to bake for about twenty minutes and the result is very hard clay. Never breathe the fumes from baking the clay. Polymer clay can be used for both indoor and outdoor use, and for almost every craft project you can imagine. A very important fact to know is to not use this clay with candles since this will create toxic fumes when it is burnt.

To warm up the clay so that it is soft and flexible, you will first knead it for a few minutes before using. You will find that it is easy to take care of polymer clay since it won’t get hard until it is baked. You will find that if you have not used the clay for a long period of time, you will have to deal with dried clay, but that is just natural. You will find that polymer clay is a very versatile craft item, something that you are able to easily store and use for many different projects.

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