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From Beginner to Pro: The Essential Polymer Clay Supplies You Need
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items Ready to take your polymer clay skills up a notch? Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for pro-level pieces, this list covers all the tools and supplies you’ll need. From quality clay to the right sculpting tools, we’ve got everything to help ...
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Work Area Set Up
Choose Your Polymer Clay
Top Polymer Clay Tools to Enhance Your Craft
Enhancing Your Work with Add-In Mediums
Curing Polymer Clay -Essential Baking Accessories
Work Area Set Up
Creating the right space for your polymer clay work can really elevate your process. Whether you're working from a cozy corner or a dedicated studio, setting up an inviting and functional workspace can spark your creativity and make crafting more enj...
Silicone work mats are a must-have for any polymer clay project. Not only do they keep your workspace clean, but they also make cleanup afterward a breeze. The smooth, skin-like surface prevents any indents from forming in your clay. Pro tip: If you ...
Silicone Project Mat
Sometimes, you need a softer approach—softer even than a thin-skin silicone mat. If the pressure from your tools is causing your piece to warp, especially on the bottom or sides, try this Pro Tip: a silicone makeup sponge. These sponges are soft, squ...
Silicone Sponges for Detail Work
Acrylic stamps, often marketed for other crafts, are a fantastic tool for polymer clay. Like the silicone makeup sponge trick, they help bring your work closer to your eyes and hands, giving you more control over small, intricate details. These stamp...
Acrylic Stamp Set for Intricate Detail
Choose Your Polymer Clay
Choosing the right clay is key to your polymer clay projects. Whether you’re making jewelry, sculptures, or anything in between, I’ll help you pick the best clay for the job. Let’s get you started with the essentials!
Super Sculpey Living Doll is by far my favorite polymer clay, though it’s often hard to find in stores since many people lean toward the smaller color packs. Don’t let the plain packaging fool you, though—inside is a stiffer, thicker clay compared to...
Sculpey Super Living Doll Clay
If you've ever come across translucent polymer clay work on social media or a craft blog, you’ve probably wondered how it’s done. The answer is simpler than you might think—Cernit is a well-known brand offering a variety of translucent clays.(Fimo an...
Translucent Clay
Cernit is a popular choice among both polymer clay artists and hobbyists. One of its standout features is its flexible cure after baking, making it ideal for thin or small details that might be prone to breakage. This flexibility results in a more du...
Cernit Color Clay
Fimo is another dominant brand in the polymer clay world, with a fan base that rivals or even surpasses Cernit's. Known for its vibrant colors and wide availability (you can find it in most craft stores and online), Fimo is also a more budget-friendl...
Fimo Color Clay
Top Polymer Clay Tools to Enhance Your Craft
The right tools can take your polymer clay projects to the next level. From precision sculpting to adding intricate details, the right tools make all the difference. I’ve rounded up the best options that will help you work more efficiently and creati...
Conditioning clay—kneading it until it becomes smooth, pliable, and workable—can be tough on your hands, especially if you have arthritis or joint discomfort. To save time and reduce physical strain, a pasta machine is an invaluable tool. You can use...
Clay Conditioning Pasta Machine
Silicone tools are a must-have for working with polymer clay, especially when it comes to fine details in areas your fingers can't reach. While many sets include 4, 6, or more tools, you only need these four shapes to get the job done. Bonus: This se...
Silicone Tipped Clay Sculpting Tools
Though these tools are often associated with kiln-fired clays, this 6-piece set focuses on what you actually need—no frills. The sharp and blunt curved blades, paired with the clay shavers and fine piercing tool, give you the precision to carve out d...
6 Pcs Pottery & Clay Sculpting Tools- Double-Sided
You probably don’t need a full 6-piece set, but at least one or two carbon steel cutters are a must-have in your polymer clay toolkit. The ultra-thin, flexible blade is perfect for gently lifting your finished pieces off the work surface without dist...
Flexible Carbon Steel Blade Cutters
If slab-style polymer clay projects are your thing, then your go-to tool might just be a good set of cookie cutters. Choose a pack with your preferred shapes and sizes, and you’ll save time creating consistent designs, base shapes to build upon, or e...
Polymer Clay Cutters for Earring Making 76pcs
I’ve been using these metal ball Sculpey shaping/detailing tools for over 15 years, and honestly, no other brand or size comes close. These three tools are the perfect size for almost any shape you need—except for those tiny pin-sized details. For mi...
Sculpey Tools Dual End Clay Tools Set
This tool is pretty straightforward—essentially a rolling pin without the handles. Pro Tip: Acrylic rollers are a great alternative to traditional wooden rolling pins for two key reasons. First, without handles, they apply even pressure across your c...
Acrylic Roller - Round Tube
Now this is a true “Pro Tip”! Using 97-99% pure rubbing alcohol can work wonders for smoothing out small imperfections. Dab it on with a paintbrush, your rubber-gloved finger, or a silicone-tipped tool, and you can easily erase or soften unwanted det...
97-99% Isopropyl Alcohol
You might not immediately think of “paint brush” when it comes to polymer clay tools, but trust me—you’ll be surprised how often you’ll need one! Fine-detail brushes (like this set, though any set you prefer will work) are perfect for those moments w...
Detail Paint Brushes Set
Enhancing Your Work with Add-In Mediums
Exploring mixed media can really expand your polymer clay creations. By adding different mediums like paints, pigments, foils, or resins, you can create more dynamic textures and finishes. This section will guide you through the best add-ins to take ...
Mica powders are a great way to add a whole new dimension to your clay projects, whether you’re looking to create unique colors, shades, or give your pieces a prismatic, holographic shine. There are so many ways to use them! You can mix them directly...
Mica Powder 48 Colors - 10g Natural Pigment
This is actually three items in one—what a find! A lot of people like finishing their polymer clay pieces with resin, but personally, I’m not a huge fan because resin can be tricky and, on a safety level, a bit risky to work with. A safer and easier ...
Sculpey Artist Set: Bake and Bond Adhesive
If your piece is already cured and isn’t going back into the oven, you can use acrylic paint supplies! This gloss varnish is perfect for adding a shiny finish to eyes, lips, candy, or anything else you want to have that glossy, polished look when you...
Liquitex Gloss Varnish,
Liquid Polymer Clay can be a bit tricky to work with, so be extra cautious when baking. If not done correctly, the fumes can be harmful, so always make sure the area is well-ventilated. It’s primarily used for fine lace work in jewelry, but it’s also...
Sculpey Liquid Polymer Clay Sampler Pack
Pan Pastels (or chalk pastels in general) are perfect for achieving a soft, gradient matte look on your work after sculpting. For example, if you make a doll face and want to add a rosy flush to the cheeks, pan pastels and a sponge applicator or dry ...
PanPastel Pearlescent Colors Set, 6 Color
Curing Polymer Clay -Essential Baking Accessories
Properly curing your polymer clay is key to ensuring your pieces are strong and durable. I’ll go over the must-have baking accessories, from reliable ovens to helpful tools that make the baking process easier and more precise.
I debated whether to place this under Work Area Setup or Baking Essentials, but since it’s primarily used during the baking and curing process, it belongs here! Beads can be particularly tricky, as it’s challenging to maintain a clean, perfectly cent...
Bake/Creating Beads
This baking mat is a must-have to protect your ovenware from any potential mishaps with burned clay and to keep your clay from changing colors due to direct contact with a baking sheet. While it can be worked on directly, I personally find it a bit t...
Oven Safe Work Mat
Whether you’ve got baking sheets on hand or not (or maybe you just don’t want to bake your clay projects on the same sheets you use for cookies—totally understandable), you’ll need at least one to create a flat surface on your oven’s wire shelves. An...
Carbon Steel Cookie Sheet Bakeware Set
If you're working on small pieces, you might prefer not to bake your clay in the same oven you cook food with. There's no harm in doing so, but for peace of mind or personal preference, it might be worth having a dedicated oven for your clay projects...
Countertop Convection Oven
If your clay is burning or still undercooked (brittle, breaks, or remains soft), even though you're following the instructions, your oven might not be heating accurately. To fix that, I recommend getting an oven thermometer to double-check the actual...
Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer
This one’s pretty straightforward—make sure you have heat-resistant gloves! Your regular oven mitts should work just fine, just make sure you have some on deck! The last thing you want is to accidentally burn yourself while handling your clay creatio...
Heat Resistant Gloves for Baking
PRO TIP: Are you working on something so thin and small that even the shortest time in the oven will burn it? Or maybe you’re trying to work with clay that can’t handle long bake times? A heat gun can be a lifesaver. It allows you to slowly cure your...
Heat Gun for Crafts