10 Tips for Working with Clay

New to polymer clay? You've come to the right place!

Whether it's your very first creation or you're already a crafty pro, these little tips and tricks will help you get the most out of your clay.

So, roll up your sleeves, get your creative juices flowing and let's get making!

Getting started

1. Warm it up!

Polymer clay loves a little warmth! Before you start, roll, squish, stretch and knead your clay in your hands until it's soft, smooth and easy to shape. This is called conditioning, and it makes your clay much easier to work with.

2. Keep it clean!

Clay is a bit of a fluff magnet! Make sure your hands and workspace are clean before you begin, and try not to handle your clay more than you need to. This helps keep unwanted fluff, dust and little bits of dirt away from your masterpiece.

3. Save tricky colours until last!

Some colours need a little extra care. Black clay can leave dark marks on your hands and tools, while white clay picks up dirt and other colours really easily.

Try working with these colours towards the end, and give your hands and tools a quick clean when switching colours.

Shaping your creation

4. A little goes a long way!

You might be surprised how far a small piece of clay can stretch! Start with a little and add more if you need it. It's much easier to add extra clay than to take too much away.

5. Don't press too soon!

Adding eyes, buttons or other decorations? Gently place them where you want them first, without pressing too hard.

Once you're happy with how everything looks, you can press them into place. That way, it's easier to make changes without mixing your colours together.

6. Mistakes are part of the magic!

Not quite happy with your creation? No problem! Before baking, you can reshape your clay, smooth out mistakes or start again.

Sometimes the best creations come from having another go!

Adding those little details

7. Cool clay, crisp details!

Warm clay is lovely for shaping, but cooler clay is often better for adding textures and tiny details.

If your clay feels very soft or sticky, leave it somewhere cool for a little while to firm up before adding your finishing touches.

8. Find textures all around you!

You don't need fancy tools to make amazing textures. Everyday household items can create all sorts of fun effects!

Scrunched-up tin foil: Perfect for bumpy, biscuit-like textures.
A toothpick or wooden skewer: Great for tiny lines, fur and little details
Cling film: Place it over your clay before pressing down with a cutter to create softer, rounded edges.

Have a look around and see what interesting patterns you can find!

Finishing up

9. Save your leftover clay!

Got some clay left over? Don't throw it away!

Keep your spare pieces for another project. Wrap them in cling film or store them in a suitable sealed container to protect them from dust and dirt. Keep different colours separate so they're ready for your next creation.

10. Take your time and have fun!

There's no rush when it comes to getting crafty! Take your time, experiment with colours, try something new and don't worry if your creation looks a little different from the pictures.

After all, that's what makes it yours!