What is polymer clay?
Polymer clay is a synthetic clay made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic. Its components are non-toxic, so it can be used without gloves. It’s also safe for children, but should never be ingested or come into contact with food (it should only be used for artistic purposes!)
Unbaked, it has a texture halfway between traditional clay and modern modelling clay. Once baked, it becomes hard, and it’s this transition to the baked state that is known as ‘polymerisation’. Compared with traditional clay, a medium explored by artists for centuries, polymer clay is very young (first forms were only used as recently as the 1950s!) and can therefore be described as a modern medium.
It can be moulded, sculpted, blended, painted and varnished to create all kinds of costume jewellery, decorative objects and small figurines. You can also incorporate all sorts of elements: embossing powders, chalk pastels, paints, alcohol inks, pigments, metal powders, metal foil, spices, sand, powdered flower petals, etc.
Firmness according to different uses
The firmer the clay, the less it will deform. A firmer clay is more suitable for detailed creations such as figurines or millefiori designs.
The softer the clay, the more malleable it is, but also the stickier it is. We therefore recommend using a soft clay if you want to create a texture, as in the ‘Sutton Slice’ technique, for example.
Proper baking
Most polymer clays bake at 130 °C in a conventional oven for at least 30 minutes. It’s best to use a dedicated polymer clay oven, because when it bakes, it can release gases that could leave particles in your home oven. We also recommend using a thermometer to ensure accurate temperature control during baking. Microwave baking is not recommended.
Tip: Fresh out of the oven, polymer clay is still soft and fragile. As it cools, it hardens and becomes stable.
Different brands and their ranges
Now, let’s take a look at the three brands of polymer clay available at DeSerres, and their ranges, to give you a complete idea of the creative possibilities that await you with each of them!
FIMO
FIMO is undoubtedly one of the most popular polymer clays. Easy to shape, it can be used to make all kinds of objects: figurines, sculptures, dolls and jewellery. Children, amateur artists and professionals alike love FIMO, which comes in a wide range of consistencies and colours.
FIMO soft
• very soft and flexible
• easier to work than traditional clays
• can be combined with FIMO professional and FIMO effect
• suitable for children, beginners, amateur artists and DIY enthusiasts
FIMO professional
• excellent for more complex and detailed projects
• firmer when compared to other types of FIMO clays
• high dimensional stability for delicate sculptures and jewellery
• suitable for more advanced professionals and artists
FIMO effect
• same flexibility as FIMO soft, but with specific effects and textures: pearlescent, granite, pastel, glitter, phosphorescent, transparent, etc.
• all FIMO effect clays can be mixed with other FIMO ranges
FIMO leather-effect
• can be worked like FIMO soft
• once hardened, has a leather-like appearance
FIMOair
• flexible and ready to use
• air-drying
• available in four varieties: FIMOair, FIMOair light (very light and ideal for creating large volumes of jewellery, for example), FIMOair granite-effect and FIMOair wood-effect
FIMO kids
• very flexible
• specially designed for children ages 8 and up
SCULPEY
Like FIMO, Sculpey polymer clay opens up infinite creative possibilities. It’s easy to use for beginners, while offering exceptional versatility for more experienced artists and sculptors. Sculpey also offers a range for children.
Original Sculpey
• easy to work with
• excellent for beginners
Sculpey III
• easy to work with
• excellent for general crafts
Super Sculpey
• unbreakable
• available in three firmness levels
• ideal for professional applications
Sculpey Soufflé
• lightweight and durable
• holds detail very well
• ideal for advanced techniques
Sculpey Premo!
• holds detail well
• ideal for professionals and more advanced artists
• the Premo! Accents range offers specific effects: pearlescent, glitter, granite, translucent, etc.; particularly loaded with mica
Sculpey Bake Shop
• specially designed for children ages 8 and up
• shines and bends like rubber
• Sculpey Bake Shop Eraser Clay can be baked into an eraser
CERNIT
Cernit polymer clay has a shiny appearance after baking, sanding and polishing. So, there’s no need to varnish your creations to get a shiny finish! It comes in eight different ranges.
Cernit Doll
• reproduces different skin tones
• ideal for making dolls, among other things
Cernit Nature
• range inspired by flora and fauna
• reproduces natural materials such as earth and stone
Cernit Number One
• completely opaque after baking (colour unchanged)
Cernit Pearl
• iridescent effect after baking
• contains thick flakes visible to the naked eye
Cernit Metallic
• metallic effect after baking
• particularly loaded with mica
Cernit Neon Light
• fluorescent colours, even after baking
• phosphorescent under blue light
Cernit Opaline
• semi-opaque after baking
• gives relief and depth to creations
Cernit Translucent
• completely translucent after baking
• ideal for creating ultra-realistic reproductions
In short, there are no limits with polymer clay! The real advantage of polymer clay is that it can be worked for hours or days without any problem.
What’s more, if you make a mistake, you can roll it back into a ball and rework it over and over again.
Now that you know all about this extraordinary clay, it’s time to explore its possibilities!
