Polymer clay crafting is an exciting and versatile creative pursuit, whether you're making intricate jewelry, miniature sculptures, or functional art pieces. However, to achieve the best results and make the crafting process enjoyable, having the right tools is crucial. As a beginner, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the vast array of tools available. To simplify things, we've compiled a list of essential polymer clay tools that every beginner should own.
Clay Knife or Blade
A good-quality clay knife or blade is one of the most important tools you'll need. Whether you're cutting, shaping, or carving, a sharp knife allows for precise and clean cuts.
Why It Works:
A clay knife ensures clean edges when slicing through polymer clay. It also helps in making intricate designs and details on your projects, from fine textures to more complex patterns.
How to Use It:
Use a clay knife to cut the clay into specific shapes, trim excess material, and even slice through multiple layers of clay for projects like caning or creating intricate designs.
Pasta Machine
A pasta machine is a must-have for anyone working with polymer clay. It is especially helpful when you need to roll out clay evenly for sheets, jewelry, or other projects that require consistent thickness.
Why It Works:
Using a pasta machine ensures that you can roll out clay with consistent thickness, saving you time and effort compared to rolling by hand. The adjustable settings allow for a variety of thicknesses, making it a versatile tool for most polymer clay projects.
How to Use It:
Feed your polymer clay into the machine, adjusting the thickness settings as needed. Run the clay through multiple times to achieve a smooth, even sheet, and keep it conditioned with slight kneading to avoid cracks or air bubbles.
Silicone Molds
Silicone molds are extremely useful for creating perfectly shaped pieces, especially when you're looking for consistency in your projects. These molds come in various shapes and sizes, ranging from simple shapes like circles and squares to more intricate designs like flowers, animals, or decorative embellishments.
Why It Works:
Silicone molds are flexible and non-stick, allowing your clay to be easily removed without damaging the design. They also ensure that all pieces you make will be identical, which is particularly useful when making jewelry, beads, or other repeating designs.
How to Use It:
Press your polymer clay into the mold, making sure to smooth it out to fill every detail. Once it's set, gently peel the silicone mold off to reveal your perfectly shaped piece. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding baking times.
Clay Softener
Polymer clay can sometimes become too firm to work with, especially if it's been stored for a while. A clay softener helps restore the right consistency, making the clay more pliable and easier to shape.
Why It Works:
Clay softeners break down the polymers in the clay, making it easier to condition and work with. This is especially important when you're just starting out and need to soften the clay for various techniques.
How to Use It:
Simply add a small amount of clay softener to your polymer clay, and knead it in until the desired softness is achieved. Start with a small amount and gradually add more if needed.
Needle Tools or Toothpicks
Needle tools, or simple toothpicks, are essential for adding fine details to your polymer clay pieces. Whether it's creating texture, carving designs, or making small holes for assembly, these simple tools are perfect for precision.
Why It Works:
These tools give you the control to create intricate details such as dots, lines, and textures on your projects. They're also useful for making tiny holes for jump rings, beads, and other finishing touches.
How to Use It:
Gently use the needle or toothpick to carve, etch, or poke through the clay. You can also create texture by lightly pressing the tool onto the surface of your polymer clay.
Rolling Pin
A rolling pin is a basic yet essential tool for spreading out and flattening your polymer clay. It's perfect for when you need to create even sheets of clay or when you're working on larger projects like a sculpture.
Why It Works:
A rolling pin helps ensure your clay is evenly spread out, especially when you don't want to use a pasta machine. It gives you more control over the thickness of your clay, which is especially useful when you're trying to keep the clay uniform in size.
How to Use It:
Roll the clay back and forth to flatten it into a sheet. To achieve even thickness, you can place guides like acrylic rods or pasta machine settings on either side of the clay as a measurement guide.
Baking Surface (Ceramic Tiles or Glass)
While baking your polymer clay, the surface you bake it on plays a crucial role in the outcome of your project. A smooth, flat surface like ceramic tiles or tempered glass will give your clay a better, even bake.
Why It Works:
Ceramic tiles and glass retain heat well and distribute it evenly during the baking process. This ensures your clay cures uniformly without any risk of hot spots that can lead to uneven baking or warping.
How to Use It:
Simply place your polymer clay pieces on a clean ceramic tile or tempered glass before baking. If you're concerned about sticking, line the surface with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Acrylic Roller
An acrylic roller is perfect for rolling out polymer clay in an easy and even manner. Unlike a traditional rolling pin, an acrylic roller is smooth, non-stick, and helps you maintain consistent pressure across your clay.
Why It Works:
The smooth surface of an acrylic roller ensures that the clay does not stick to it, making it easier to roll out without the need for extra cornstarch or powder.
How to Use It:
Roll out your clay evenly with light pressure, ensuring that you have a smooth and consistent sheet. If you need a specific thickness, use acrylic guides or guides on the roller to ensure uniformity.
Cutters and Shape Templates
Cutters and shape templates are invaluable when you want to create precise shapes for your polymer clay projects. These can be used to cut out circles, squares, or more complex designs like flowers, leaves, or hearts.
Why It Works:
These tools make cutting shapes easy and efficient, especially when you're working with intricate designs or need several identical pieces for a project. They help to cut clean edges and can also be used for shaping or forming your clay.
How to Use It:
Press the cutter or template firmly onto your clay to create your desired shape. You can use different sizes and styles depending on your project's requirements.
Silicone or Rubber Stamps
Stamps are an excellent tool for adding texture, designs, and patterns to your polymer clay projects. Silicone or rubber stamps can be pressed into the surface of your clay to create detailed impressions, from floral designs to geometric patterns.
Why It Works:
Stamps create detailed, repeatable patterns with minimal effort. They can be used for backgrounds, borders, or to add depth to your designs.
How to Use It:
Press the stamp gently but firmly onto the surface of your clay to transfer the design. You can also use them with inks or powders to add more layers to your projects.
Conclusion
Starting with polymer clay can feel overwhelming, but having the right tools can make all the difference. As a beginner, focus on mastering the basics: cutting, shaping, rolling, and baking. These essential tools will help you get the most out of your creative projects while improving your technique. Once you've got the basics down, you can expand your toolkit to include more specialized tools for specific techniques. Happy crafting!