Polymer clay is quick, easy and simple to use.

Polymer clay is a loosely PVC based material that is used for sculpting and creating decorative objects. It can also be used for making jewellery beads and pendants. It can be used by a variety people such as children, artists and crafts persons alike and is known to be sold in a variety of art and crafts stores throughout the World. Polymer clay is made from very small particles of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) which is mixed with Plasticizer to create pliable and bendable “clay”, although in fact it is not a clay at all. It actually contains no form of clay and only takes this name as it can be used much like its clay counterparts in that it can be blended with other colours and can be easily sculpted for purpose. It can also be used for effects such as marbling as the colour lies within the particles of the PVC and not the material itself. As a rule Polymer Clay does not generally dry out, it can be left out and worked on over a long period of time without crumbling and cracking. The clays durability enables the user to use a variety of working techniques to sculpt such as that from glass work or sculpture. Completion of a project using Polymer clay requires Firing or baking, this involves firing the finished piece in a kiln on a low temperature – so low that most people can use their home oven as a kiln. Polymer clay is not suitable for use with or to be put in direct contact with food. The clay can be used for a variety of different projects and it can cover anything – so long as it doesn't melt in the oven! You could cover a picture frame, a mirror or table ware, even wooden boxes to decorate for a craft project. Generally though, the most popular use for the clay is for jewellery making. It can be used to make beads, bracelets, pendants, buttons and brooches. Some clever artists can even sculpt and blend the clay to look like precious stones such as amber, or rocks such as granite or jade. Generally all you need to craft with Polymer Clay is your hands and a kiln/oven. However the use of tools can make the clay easier to work with. The range of tools used can vary between knives and rolling pins for crafting and piercing tools for use with jewellery making. The work surface can also be key in the production of certain products as Polymer Clay can damage some surfaces with its plasticizer and colouring – it is best to use some form of covering when working with the clay to ensure no damage is made. Polymer clay was invented after an early plastic used for the same purpose was deemed to be unsafe. This was found to be the case as the Phenol base of the plastic was flammable and unsafe for use. The clay was initially formulated to help German doll maker Kaethe Kruse in 1939 as other workable materials became hard to come by during World War II. However, she found them to be unsuitable in her doll production so Kruse gave it to her daughter, affectionately known as “Fifi”. The clay was later picked up by Eberhard Faber and marketed as “FIMO” or Fifi's Modelling Compound – released to honour Sophie Rehbinder-Kruse – the inventor of the more well known version of Polymer Clay used today. Polymer clay is currently having a rise of popularity as it is seen to be a universally friendly material to work with, it can be used by nearly anyone – within reason.

Crafty Arts offer a wide range of products using high quality polymer clay; it is easy and simple to use making it great for children’s gifts for birthdays or Christmas.