Polyclay Bead

Creation

Polymer Clay

• Polymer Clay: a sculptable material based on the polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

• Contains no clay materials, but its texture and working qualities resemble mineral clay

History

• Polymer clay was originally developed in the 1930’s as a replacement for plastics that had become scarce during World War II

Curing

• To cure means to bake the polymer clay

• Polymer clay hardens by curing at 275°F for 15 minutes (size of product may affect curing time)

Curing

• Creations do not shrink or change texture during the curing process

• When properly conditioned and cured, clay items should not break

• As long as the maximum curing temperature is not exceeded, cured pieces may have additional layers or enhancements added with no limit to the number of time a piece can be re-cured

Polymer Clay Tools

• Polymer clay requires very few tools

• Most widely used tools:

– Tissue Blade: extremely thin and sharp blade for slicing/cutting

– Pasta Machine: used to condition clay, as well as to create sheets of uniform thickness, and to mix colors

Polymer Clay Uses

• Creating beads and jewelry

• Creating picture frames and figurines

• Covering items made from glass, metal, cardboard, and terra cotta– Examples: pens, votive

candle holders, and light switch plates

Polyclay Beads

• Striped Beads(marble-shaped and tube-shaped)

• Cinnamon Roll Beads (marble-shaped and tube-shaped)

• Lace Beads

Additional Polyclay Projects