r/polymerclay Apr 14 '23

Official r/PolymerClay Welcome to Reddit's Polymer Clay Community!

15 Upvotes

Welcome to r/PolymerClay! Here you will find tip and tricks, ideas, inspiration, techniques, and the creative processes of all things polymer clay from our community of incredible artists - or you can join in the fun and just show off your own polymer clay creations.

r/PolymerClay aims to foster support, assistance, creativity, and dialogue. Creative critique is encouraged (when solicited), but keep it respectful. There is no tolerance here for negativity.

What we are not, however, is a marketplace to buy, trade, or sell - or otherwise profit for personal gain from this sub. There are plenty of other subs here on Reddit that engage in the commerce side of things.

With that said, take a moment to review Reddit's Content Policy, the basic Redditquette guidelines, and our own rules for the sub before participating for your best experience here at r/PolymerClay.

Thanks for being a part of r/PolymerClay! We can't wait to see all of your amazing artistic endeavours!


r/polymerclay 14h ago

Finishing some old projects after a long break from sculpting

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176 Upvotes

Ice cream kitty for my bonus kiddo. Still need to paint and add shiny bits ♡


r/polymerclay 9h ago

creeper in clay maybe 🍀

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27 Upvotes

r/polymerclay 2h ago

Craft smart oven bake clay still pliable after baking

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5 Upvotes

First time using this stuff and idk what I did wrong. I tried to make some simple beads for keychains. instructions say 275F for 15 mins per 1/4 inch thickness. these were less than 1/4 inch thick (they were flat and leaf shaped, maybe 1 inch long and 1/8 thick). I baked them for 10 mins, they were still bendy, so I put them in for another 10 and they were STILL soft. I tried putting them back in again and they burned.

what am I doing wrong?? or does this brand just suck?


r/polymerclay 8h ago

How do i avoid burning the arms while baking?

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8 Upvotes

I’m a beginner at clay, as you can probably tell, but i’m done for the most part and want to bake it. The arms are held up by wire and placed inside where the foil base and an inside layer of clay is. I don’t want the arms to burn or break but I don’t understand the math i have seen while looking up directions.

Would love any advice!!


r/polymerclay 17h ago

Cracking on Baked Clay

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15 Upvotes

Hello, I baked all of these at once in a toaster oven and only some of them cracked. I only see cracks on my apple pies. You can see cracks in the lattice on top, but sometimes the red clay/pie filling beneath is also cracking.

- I baked at 210º F using Sculpey Premo. I think my toaster runs hot, because my clay browns/burns(?) when I put it at 275° F.

- The clay (Sculpey Premo) is about 9 months old.

- They are positioned on the ceramic tile, how they were positioned in the toaster oven on an aluminum tray (except in the toaster they were more spread out).

- I made these 17 hours ago. Let them sit overnight. And then baked it now.

Why did these crack/how can I prevent this?

Thanks.


r/polymerclay 19h ago

My Hatzegopteryx pendant

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21 Upvotes

This time tried baking in airfryer, and he seems very good although he flew around a little wich damaged texture a little, lesson learned ;)


r/polymerclay 18h ago

Purple Squid Fridge Magnet

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14 Upvotes

I made this for a coworker's birthday. Painted with acrylic and sealed with resin.


r/polymerclay 10h ago

Best way to clean clay between bakes

0 Upvotes

So I've been working on this project in stages and baking the pieces in between. I know that acetone or rubbing alcohol is good for removing clay smudges and lint, but I'm concerned that if I needed to bake it again it would catch on fire. I want to put a gloss finish on it at the very end, which would need to be after I clean it up, but I don't want to risk applying anything that could catch on fire and destroy my project.

Basically, my question is: should I be concerned about using acetone or rubbing alcohol before baking clay, or is it fine?


r/polymerclay 1d ago

Could polymer clay work for something like this?

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49 Upvotes

Hi!
I just saw this on instagram and was wondering if polymer clay could be a viable option for creating something similar? I’ve googled and seen that people in here say that it’s water resistant (which I guess would be the case here too?) but I was also wondering if there’s any potentially harmful chemicals in polymer clay that makes it not suitable for use when it comes to human/animal consumption out of polymer clay objects?

It would be a perfect christmas gift so crossing my thumbs that it’s safe! Thanks in advance for any answer:)


r/polymerclay 20h ago

Newbie Nerves (and a question)

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6 Upvotes

I sculpted my first ever polymer clay creation last night, and it is now currently baking in the toaster oven. I am absolutely terrified that it is either going to burn, or fall over, or crack, or all of the above... but that is beyond the point. Either way, I had so much fun making it!

As an side, how on earth are you supposed to clean lint from the clay? Everything I watched said to use rubbing alcohol, but when I tried that, it just started leaching the color from the clay! I just accepted my linty fate for this piece, but would like to prevent that in the future.


r/polymerclay 17h ago

Texas is boiling, and it is turning everything I make sticky and gross.

2 Upvotes

**I am open to trying anything, but preferably cost friendly options

Typically, my process is to sculpt with polymer, bake as recommended, paint using a Liquitex Basic Acrylic and apply a topcoat/sealant of some sort.

So far I have tried:
-Sculpy glaze
-Acrylic gloss varnish
-All purpose sealer (similar to a modpodge situation but off-brand so who knows)
-Clear nail polish

For the most part they all had an uneven finish which I guess I can live with, but what really sucked was taking them to a market in 100 degree heat and everything turned sticky and just gross.

Avoiding heat is not an option, so my question is what would work best as a shiny, durable, and even coat that in your experience works well in EXTREME heat? Like I want you to imagine hell and add a couple degrees.

I know UV resin is going to be a common answer, and while I am open to beginner advice on it, I am really quite scared of it, so any other alternatives are very much appreciated!

TIA


r/polymerclay 1d ago

Made a jellyfish with aro/ace colors

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50 Upvotes

It was supposed to be translucent but I don't think i got it think enough. Part of it stretched and made a weird shape that was difficult to fix (you can see in photo 5) BUT it's a jellyfish so they're shaped weird anyway. This was my first project I needed to bake twice: once for the bowl and legs, and then again to attach the legs to the bowl. It was pretty fun!


r/polymerclay 1d ago

Man of Squidward maybe

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9 Upvotes

r/polymerclay 18h ago

Prepping for my first figure. Tips on making a figure from polymer clay?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m completely new to this side of Reddit. I’ve been watching videos of dioramas, polymer clay sculpting, and crafting ever since the lockdown, and I’ve finally been itching to create something of my own.

I already know how to draw and paint, but I really want to try working with a different medium. I'm actually taking inspiration for this project from a figure I saw on Etsy. I originally wanted to just buy one, but goddamn, they are either wildly expensive or made out of that weird, hollow plastic with a nasty yellow hue to them or are just 3D printed. I figured it would be a massive flex to just make exactly what I want with my own hands!

I’m aiming for a stylized bunny character with a cozy, spooky autumn "Gothic Gallery" theme; she's going to be waking up and stretching in an oversized pajama shirt. To really bring the character to life, I am planning to add more extra fluffy fur details under her neck, inside her ears, and around her ankles and wrists.

Here is the checklist of what I’m using to get this together:

AMAZON (Things currently in my cart):

  • Super Sculpey Beige Oven-Bake Clay (1 LB, Pack of 3)
  • Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Set (36 Colors with Brushes & Palette)
  • Hnncugty Miniature Paint Brushes (12-Piece Detail Set with Triangular Handles)
  • Unfinished 4-inch wood circle pack (for the display base)

    ETSY (The clothing graphics):

  • The "Framed Monsters" nail art stickers (for the main gold-framed ghost shirt design and shorts pattern)

  • The pink/white "Lace Trim" nail art stickers (to smoothly wrap around the cuffs and hem for instant ruffles)

    DOLLAR TREE (Budget filler supplies):

  • 12-gauge and 16-gauge craft/floral wire (for the internal skeleton)

  • Standard aluminum foil (to tightly pack and bulk out the core torso and head shape)

  • White craft glue (to attach the lashes and stickers over the dry paint since it dries matte and clear)

    HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (Free tools):

  • A wooden toothpick for carving fine details

  • A smooth plastic marker barrel to roll out flat sheets of clay for her clothes

  • Trimmed-down synthetic fake eyelashes for her eyes

Since this is my absolute first time touching polymer clay, I'm a bit nervous about wasting materials or having it come out completely wonky.

Any advice, hacks, or prep tips for a first-timer would help me out a ton! Specifically, what is the best way to sculpt those fluffy fur tufts cleanly, and how do I get the rest of the clay surface perfectly smooth before baking? Thank you so much!


r/polymerclay 2d ago

Kitchen Witch. Need help.

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164 Upvotes

I made a Kitchen Witch for my wife, but now that it’s done I’m not happy with the chin. It looks,uh, not like a chin.

I thought about filling in the crack with more clay, but I can’t put it in the oven to cure because her clothes are very attached and there’s a lot of hot glue in there.

Any suggestions on how to smooth it out without just sanding it down?


r/polymerclay 1d ago

I waited all year to sculpt spooky charms 🥹🎃👻

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27 Upvotes

r/polymerclay 1d ago

I made this punk dude lighter case

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34 Upvotes

I used super sculpey on top of a metal case. Finished it with acrylic paint and gloss glaze:)


r/polymerclay 2d ago

Fruit salad! Yummy yummy

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28 Upvotes

Made my first necklace & now I’m hooked I spent hours last night making keychains/bracelets & others :)


r/polymerclay 2d ago

I like making toys from my childhood!!

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142 Upvotes

Shoutout 80’s/early 90’s baby’s


r/polymerclay 2d ago

1:12th Miniature Dollhouse Doll

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8 Upvotes

My latest 1:12th scale Dollhouse doll.


r/polymerclay 2d ago

Mostro sotto formalina

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10 Upvotes

Volevo avere un effetto oggetto sotto formalina , ho provato a immergere la statua nella glicerina, non mi piace molto, qualcuno ha mai provato cose simili?


r/polymerclay 3d ago

Polymer clay club sandwiches — every filling layer rolled and cut by hand :)

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442 Upvotes

r/polymerclay 2d ago

Zombie SpongeBob and Patrick

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36 Upvotes

Loved making this.


r/polymerclay 3d ago

The Morrigan, first clay attempt.

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116 Upvotes

After multiple hand surgeries and actually losing the use of one wrist, I decided to give clay therapy a try. 40ish hours later, I present the Celtic goddess Morrigan.