20 Polymer Clay Tips and Tricks for Beginners
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- čas přidán 3. 06. 2024
- WATCH PART 2: • 20 Polymer Clay Tips a...
Hi everyone! Watch in HD :)
In this video I share with you lots of polymer clay tips, tricks and hacks that I have learnt through my own experience and research! Please note that I'm not a professional and that I only do clay as a hobby- it is not a full time job. I have been doing clay for four years so all this is information that I've learnt along the way. This video is aimed at beginners and people who are wanting to start polymer clay, however some more experienced crafters may also learn something new! Some of the information may seem super obvious to some people, but when you're first start out we all know that uncertainty all too well, so I wanted to include everything I could think of in one video for crafters to refer to!
Here is a list of topics mentioned throughout the video:
Mixing colours and brands
Adding eyepins, glitter, toothpicks and other details
Buying polymer clay
Storing your clay
Liquid polymer clay
Securing eyepins
Creating a works surface
Rolling out an even sheet
Creating your own tools
Colouring and shading your clay
How to soften clay
How to harden clay
Using cornstarch
Using sandpaper
Baking your charms
Broken charms
Burnt charms
Painting polymer clay
Cleaning your clay
Glazing your creations
Links to videos mentioned:
How to shade polymer clay video- • How to Shade Polymer C...
PolymerClayTutor's video- • Buying Polymer Clay
Thank you so much for watching! Please give this video a like and subscribe for more :)
Links:
My Store - creativerachy.storenvy.com/
Instagram - @rachyh96
Crafty Amino - @rachyh96
Facebook - / creativerachy
Get 10% off your purchase order at Sophie & Toffee! sophieandtoffee.refr.cc/L98BCKC (Valid until 27 July 2016, check the link in a newer video if it has expired!) - Jak na to + styl
It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks! I am 70 years old and just beginning with polymer clay. Your excellent video was a big help. Thank you young lady! Dave
I'm 65 and am just starting. Yay! Us
51 here, and just starting, too!
I am 27 and still thinking how to start .
You are really courageous and a consistent learner.
I've got a colour mixing tip for you all: If you want to make a colour darker, don't add black. If you want your, for example, blue to be darker add a little bit of red to it. This will make your blue look more purple and dark and less gray. Of you want your yellow to be darker add a little tiny bit of red. If you want your red to be darker add a little bit of blue to it and so on. If you already darkend your colour with black don't use white to make it lighter, use the same technique as the darkening one, but instead of adding more red to your dark blue, add yellow to it and so on. White and black are technically not colours, so try not to use them too often, only for making your colours less vibrant(more gray-ish) and lightening primary colours. I've learned this trick a few years ago and it made my art look waaay better. I hope I helped you, have a nice day! 😊
Emi114play this is very good info thanks!
In oil painting we mix yellow with green to make it lighter. And good advice.
Thanks
It's using the color wheel theory. Adding a one color that is at the opposite part of the wheel to the orginal color makes it darker.
thank you for the tip xxx
If you notice your purples, greens, sky blues, and pinks to be muddy or dark, get magenta, yellow, and cyan clay. They're kinda considered to be red yellow and blue, the "primary colors", but red is more pink, and blue is brighter and more green. This helps give you brighter colors when mixing, since the primary subtractive colors (used for painting, drawing, or anything other than light) are magenta, yellow, and cyan.
Fox yes, when I made this video I was trying to keep it very basic for beginners. Otherwise I’d have people continually asking where to buy cyan coloured clay etc.
@@creativerachywhere would I buy it? 😂
Tip for the cornstarch tip: Don’t use too much, and if you do, dust or wipe it off before baking or else it will show up after you baked it, and it will not come off no matter how hard you try. Don’t ruin your piece like I did!
can i use baby power
Very good to know. Thank you.
@@gloriasawyer5115Little bit of a late reply but for anyone interested: Baby powder *used* to be made of talc (and was called talcum powder), but these days it’s been replaced with cornstarch. However, some manufacturers put other additives in so read the label.
Mixing colours and brands 0:35
Adding eyepins, glitter, toothpicks and other details 1:50
Buying polymer clay 2:53
Storing your clay 3:20
Liquid polymer clay 4:16
Securing eyepins 4:59
Creating a works surface 5:42
Rolling out an even sheet 6:13
Creating your own tools 6:35
Colouring and shading your clay 7:03
How to soften clay 7:49
How to harden clay 9:13
Using cornstarch 10:20
Using sandpaper 10:56
Baking your charms 11:17
Broken charms 13:00
Burnt charms 13:27
Painting polymer clay 13:55
Cleaning your clay 14:26
Glazing your creations 14:55
Thank you!
Cheers
Dantdm
Thanks so much!
peace7131421 xdff
Hi, I am a professional sculptor, and I have been using polymer clays for years. I still learned something from your video here! The corn starch trick is cool. And the polyurethane glaze is a good one too. I rarely glaze my pieces as I generally do realistic figures. I do paint these figures with acrylics. And once they are painted in acrylic you can use clear nail polish over the paint for eyeballs and such.
Also, working on a project for Universal, I designed some alien plants that lit up -- long before the film Avatar. I would simply use a translucent Sculpey with light tints of color and build the plants around a grain of wheat LED bulb. As the bulb has wires with plastic on it, I needed to avoid the oven. That is when I discovered that you can harden polymer clay by putting it in boiling water. I still use boiling water when I want to harden globe shapes because these often get a flat spot in the oven.
I also find using a heat gun right at my work table when doing multiple cooks on small figures is very convenient.
Thanks for you video!
Willy Whitten - \\][//
Hi ! I have a question : I would begin with polymer clay but i don't know which clay (fimo) should i buy, can you help me ? (Sorry for my english 😂)
Hi...thank you for your comments...I learned a couple of great things from you. 🌿
thank you!!!!
@@isa03_98 original sculpey.......good stuff!
@@allanblevins5119 thanks !
I have been so nervous about starting with polymer clay. It's a whole new world to me and I have been feeling so anxious. Thank you so much for this video, I feel so inspired and excited to get started
I’m anxious as well! How did your polymer clay adventure go?!
Tarah: me too!
Ä@@marikalathem813
🙋🏼♀️Hello Again Everyone, I have commented on this wonderful video before with some extra tips, but I’d like to add a few more tips for your viewers. I have been a professional, clay artist for over 30 years now and during that time I have made every mistake you can make with polymer clay, but I have also learned from my mistakes and from other artist (like yourself). So I hope that anyone and everyone who really wants to become GREAT at polymer clay with watch your videos and read the comments (like mine).
Anyway, my other tips are….you mentioned painting over your clay piece if you burn it, however, you can also sand it off with a low grit sandpaper or nail file. You can also use acetone (nail polish remover) to rub off some of the burnt areas, but be careful not wet the paper towel too much with acetone or you might soften baked the clay too much. Acetone and sanding also work to remove surface dust.
Then you mentioned glazing your pieces. Polyurethane is a great glaze to use but make sure it’s not a spray on version because the chemicals used to propel it from the can will make your clay melt and become sticky over time. Another good way to glaze your items is with a UV glaze. It creates a nice hard glaze to the surface of your clay piece.
I have a million more tips I’ve learned over the years but just haven’t had the time to put them in a video. But fortunately.y there are wonderful artists like Rachael who will give you wonderful information and ideas and I can just add a few things in the comments.
So, I’ll end by saying HAPPY CRAFTING EVERYONE, and Take care, Dee😊
I tuck my clay in a bag behind my knee if I'm sitting cross legged to soften it. Learned that AFTER making my poor fingers and thumbs sore...
👎😡😠🤪🤪🤪😡😠😠😠😾👿💩
Wow
legit just thought i was a weak baby
@@mynamemaynameis3515 what?
@@mynamemaynameis3515
What the...
When I don’t have liquid clay I make my own with baby oil mixed with a tiny bit of clay. Works great.
What is the ratio for this?
So does butter!
Derek Meeks butter??? No offense but kinda sounds gross??....
@@zhuozhuang9276 its a joke! I hope nobody actually tried!
Binge Fox oh god that would be horrible if someone tried that...
i learnt SO MUCH, complete newbie here trying to make a personalized gift
Glad I found this. Just made my first piece and it's now cooling in the oven. Your tips were very helpful! Thank you!
Years later and still changing lives for people who are starting! Thank you! ❤️
I'm a beginner, and I cannot thank you enough for these fabulous tips!!! These will help *so* very much. Bless you! *Cheers!*
I’m a beginner and I know some already
i am a beginner also i got all my clays and my oven and my tools. the paper in the oven with roil is this too keep you work from burning
Dear Rachel: You are so nice, a great artist and an incredible teacher! Thank you so much and greetings from México 🇲🇽
I'm rewatching this (and your other videos) in 2022 because I dabbled in polymer clay years ago and then moved on to other types of crafts. I just wanna say this video is so helpful! Thank you so much for sharing your rich experience with beginners like us so generously; what you made almost 6 years ago is still making a big difference in the polymer clay world :D
I completely agree with you. It is a very relevant video still in 2022. I am just starting out today and have learnt so much already.
I miss when the polymer clay youtube community was more active a couple years ago 😓😓
Rini V sugar charm shop is still very active
hey Rini; "sugar charm shop" is really good with polymer clay. I don't make stuff but that was the 1st site i subscribed to; enjoy it THAT much!!!✌💜
Rini V Jimin senpai ;-;
Rini V Annyeong army!
im going to start my own channel on polymer clay so if you want to watch that it will be very active plus im making a shop
13:21 correction for baking on low heat: "they'll become more flexible and LESS prone to snapping easily."
THANK YOU! I had just commented on that very same thing!
This REALLY is the best beginners polymer cay video out there. I am going to create one too, however wont hold a candle to this legendary one. Just so quick, snappy, informative, colourful and fun. Well done Rachy. :) QUICK TIP: I have chronic pain in my hands and found that the Premo Sculpey through Pasta machine works best for me and the Original Sculpey (really soft and commonly used with kids) if hands really really sore.
I've just started thinking about getting into making polymer clay earrings. I have never used polymer clay before, so thank you so much for the great tips. You are super informative. ❤️❤️
I was thinking thinking of making little polymer clay keychains in my own sculpting style (never sculpted before) based off my drawing and painting style. My hope is to sell them as a way to make a little extra money. Just did a trial run with a tiny cactus. This video totally helped.
@@Musical_Pigeon That's such an awesome idea. I hope it all works out for you. 😊😊
@@bellablue9520 Thank you.
Please give us an update did you try it yet, how is it going
@@BreeBrog I'm loving it. It's so much fun! 😁😁❤️
I wish this video existed when I started with polymer clay its so helpfull
same lol so useful :D
misteryhorse I so agree
misteryhorse I know right
@Clay Art Etc yeah!!! I improved a lot in 9 years, but when i started i had to figure out all of this by myself 😭
How I warm up some clay:
Step 1: Place the clay inside a plastic bag
Step 2: Fold the bag inside some cloth
Step 3: Go to youtube & pick a video
Step 4: Sit on cloth/bag
Step 5: Once done watching for a few minutes or hours the clay is soft
DONE!
Tip: You can also have your cat lie down on it since their technically warmer than us XD
about this ,. can anyone please explain to me How we soften the clay by warming it, and on the other hand we finish the work on the charms by baking them ???? 😨😨😨
I'll lose my mind soon
hahahaha.... thx for the tip! i have big boobs. i usually stick it under them. glad im not the only weird one ;)
I vouch for the clay-sitting technique ... I also sit on my watch for 10 minutes every morning, nothing worse than cold metal against your skin!
I bet it helps of you fart!
New to polymer clay creations here. =) TY for all your tips!
Also, you said a glass surface is good to work on. For those who want a larger work space to spread out, I just went to Lowe's and bought a 24" x 12" piece of porcelain flooring tile for $5 and it works wonderfully! Super fast clean up with a spritz of rubbing alcohol and wipe down before or after working on the surface.
I've used polymer clay for years, but this was a great refresher course in the basics of polymer clay use, and I did learn a new thing or two! Thank you!
Please make another one, but with more advanced tips!
That would be nice!
Yes
Super helpful, I'm so glad you went over alternate options to help keep the cost of tools cheep, artist on a budget! Thanks for the info and great video!
Thank you so much for this video! It actually covers all of the problems I came across when starting out with polymer clay (which was a few years back), so I will give it another shot! ♡
This is fascinating, and very helpful. I was thinking of trying polymer clay for the first time, never done any modelling before. I now decided to buy my first small block, and look forward to trying it out.
I am VERY new to clay and i really have no idea what is what this helped me a bunch ! Thank you so much
I'm not a beginner but this is still quite useful as a refresher
Visit my work with polymer clay : www.etsy.com/shop/WhisperJackArt?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
Indeed!
@@monkeyholst8593 ckallas operos soliste
@Clay Art Etc mmmm tbh I haven’t touched my clay supplies recently because of school work
Amazingly helpful!! I played with this type of clay a lot as a kid but now that I’m an adult, I realized I don’t actually know how to make something polished and high quality with clay. Super super helpful!
I've been trying to get into charm making with clay and got so discouraged because my clay (fimo sample set) was so soft and hard to mold and when I'd go to peel it off my work surface it would warp and lose all it's shape so these tips are so helpful
I'm hoping I can get the clay fixed now because it was so difficult to work it as a beginner
This is such a helpful video! I have barely any experience with making charms and I didn't know there were so many tips and tricks to this craft. thanks for all the info!
QDCrafts hgghghhhhjjuuuuuhhhjuuiuu07pm
QDCrafts ggkkk
Aaadddiiinnnaaa
QDCraftq
OMG I️ LOVE U QDCRAFTS
I'm speechless. And mesmerized by your work, experience, and the vast amount of creations that you have done.
7:48 thank you!!!! I’ve got a lot of lovely dried polymer clay I didn’t want to bin💕
Thank you so much for the tips! I am literally starting out with polymer clay right now and I have been so nervous.
I love how you choose to recommend inexpensive ways and tools! So amazing ❤️
Man this was such a satisfying video, I usually start tuning out tips and tricks video when their long; but this was really great! I've always been interesting in wanting to make things from polymer clay, but I never knew where to start and this video just made everything so plain and simple and concise. Thank you so much!
Your idea for rolling guides using popsicle sticks literally just saved me!! Very clever. I love your work surface idea. All of these were so simple, effective and great money saving tips. Thank you!!!!
I totally love your charms, thanks for giving so many tutorials specially this one for beginners, I've never done polymer Clay sculpting.
I'm just wanting to start getting into polymer clay, and I learned a *lot* from your video! Thank you for putting this out there! :) It's very much appreciated.
Aww thank you! Glad I could help :)
So, so helpful and really well done video!
Creative Rachy
I have a question before i start glazing my charms, does Mod Podge work as a glaze? and if so, how well? it's all i got and I want to make sure it doesn't ruin my charms
SongBirb: Hello! Mod Podge actually doesn't work. It makes your piece sticky.
Tea Cup Charms
ok, thanks!
Some tips I've learned; use olive or vegetable oil and clay to make realistic icing, it bakes just fine, after the oven, put your stuff into a bowl of ice water to strengthen, use a sewing pin with the ball at the end poked into a mechanical pen eraser(or tape to a skewer) to make a ball tool. If you are going to buy a few tools, buy a good roller and a blade if nothing else. ALWAYS put a rug under your work station especially with carpet! The clay will be easily mashed into carpet and permanently stain it! Also, no matter what, always wear gloves when working with red clay, it will stain you hands and other clay, and its just terrible.
I was recently reminded that food stuffs go off. Maybe try baby oil?
My clay is of the melty McMeltison variety so it already looks like icing.
This was soooo helpful! Thank you so much. I'm getting back in to polymer clay crafts, after a 15-year hiatus, and there was so much of this I had forgotten or never knew.
Thank you so much for making this video!! I’ve been working with resin and have gotten super interested in polymer clay, but REALLY NEEDED these tips and tricks!!
for the first one there is something i like to do its to mix the two colors but not completely so it gets a cool marlbe effect
i also do this with white brown and light brown to make a wood effect
Tried my first piece with polymer clay yesterday, and I was so confused why mine turned out the way it did vs how other people's pieces look online. This just answered soooo many questions.
This is amazing, thanks a lot. Also, so adorable when you show people how to condition with body heat and breath, I chuckled after seeing that!
I'm so happy I came across your video I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I begin and I found this so helpful
Thanks for this! I've been curious about working with this type of clay for a while now ♥ It really answered most of my questions!
Thank you so much for this, I learned so much! These tips blew me away, some I’ve been doing already.
I got a polymer clay kit as a gift and now I cannot wait to start a new craft. This was super helpful and cleared up many questions I had like painting your clay as well as the neat idea to use glitter in your clay.
I'm new at doing miniatures, especially polymer clay and found your video very informative. Thank you
This video was great! I really can’t wait to start working with polymer clay 🙌🏻😍
Really fantastic set of tips - thanks! I always am curious to work with polymer clay, but nervous that I’ll waste what I buy through silly mistakes. This gives me more confidence to incorporate it into my projects. :)
I’m a beginner to polymer and this is ABSOLUTELY the best beginner guide I have seen. Thank you so much for sharing this tips…. Regards from Denmark…🇩🇰
Thank you so much for this video. I learned so much from it. I'll never be able to make cute shapes like you but I now know the basics on different types of clay and how to use it. 😊
March 26, 2018---Thank you for an informative and helpful video even though I'm not into crafts. After 15 years, got back into modeling in late 2016, but this time instead of aircraft/armor, going for 1/35th scale zombie/apocalypse dioramas. Been learning a lot from the train, doll house, etc. people. Never worked with Milliput before, so it's a learning experience when trying to alter a figure and now, thanks to your video, thinking of different ways I can use polymer clay.
My mom and I recently got into clay and this video was really informative. I’m learning, she has more knowledge, but I was already hyped for tomorrow because it’s our craft day but now I’m even more hyped. 🙌🏻❤️
Years later & your video is still helping people understand polymer clay.
I was looking to see how to make a small figurine. I didn't have a medium in mind & just googled. Yours was the second video I watched and I am so impressed! You did so well! Information is succinct, to the point, but still offering a world of knowledge to this nube. Well done! :-)
And Thank you.
This is amazing! it was just what I was looking for! I have been wanting to craft with polymer clay for a while now, thank you so much for this!
so, that means i CAN mix my sculpey 3 with another to salvage it, good! newbie here, thanks for the tips! subscribing :)
Oh, did you have an 'OH Gawd It's Even Melted Onto The Scalpel' moment too? I wonder what that rainbow will look like with a dose of beige in each colour. :(
Great video, Im not a beginner but still found this to be really informative. A lot of the tips were new to me and will make my polymer clay projects way easier now! Thanks !!
Thank you for a great video. I've been using air dry clay on my projects and have been thinking of transitioning to polymer clay. I found your video extremely helpful.. ❤
I'm brand spanking new, wanting to give this a go and I'm so thrilled with all the "how to get started without buying the whole craft store" tips!! Thank you! Subscribing now because I love your style, your editing is really good and it's awesome to listen to a fellow Aussie!
Thank you so much for the helpful tips. I'm just getting interested in polymer clay and know nothing so it really helped.
This is perfect! Although my mom made lots of things with baked sculpey in the 80s, I know things have changed. Great tutorial!
Your portable surface tip changed my life. This whole video is so helpful, thank you so much.
a ball end dotting tool is very different from a toothpick..there are some effects you get with a dotting tool you just cant get with a toothpick so instead you could use the ball end of a match stick.
DarkestArt use the ball end of what? I'm a beginner at polymer clay and would love your help!
@Livvy Loves...use the tip of a match stick..the part you light..or just use a nail dotting tool.:)
just take a bobby pin
Or dip a toothpick in superglue or paint and let it dry, then redip it and let it dry again, keep doing that until you have the ball tip size you need. =)
DarkestArt, I actually found that cutting the pointy end of my toothpick and sanding down the edges really helped!
Thank you for this video. I have yet to do anything with polymer clay & was very curious about how to properly use it/take care of it. This will help me out a lot with my upcoming projects!
It's been years since I've used polymer clay and recently I offered to make a custom base for one of my boyfriend's Warhammer 40k minis. This has helped so much. Thank you!
This is the best starter video I've seen on CZcams. There are so many tools out there I don't know where to start. Thank you so much🤗🇬🇧
I just today decided to pick up doing sculpting again. I did charms 7-8 years ago, and I have very little info back then. Your video was very helpful. Even made me realize I got translucent and not white clay XD oh goodness.
Wow, what a wonderful video! I am just starting making things with polymer clay. I got a set for Xmas last. I have no idea what I am doing but this video taught me a lot! Thank you for the video!
I've only worked with air-dry clays before, but my recent interest in polymer has sparked up. It's quite different to air-dry actually, but this video really helped!! Thank you!
I have dabbled a (very) little bit with PC but didn't feel like I knew enough, or had time to learn how, to do much with it. Your video was PERFECT in giving me the basics; as in "Intro to Polymer Clay 101" and I am now looking forward to digging out the clay that has been sitting untouched in my craft area. Thank you for this information, and job well done.
I found this SUPER helpful for me I'm getting supplies next week and I'm excited but does modge podge work for a finish thanks!
Wow. I'm just starting out and this video answered all of my questions and some I didn't know I had! It prevented me from making mistakes I surely would have, had I not seen it. This video is AMAZING! Thank You!!
Thank you!
I'm new to polymer clay. I love experimenting with mixing color and other things. These tips are super helpful. Thank you so much.
I'm just starting Fimo and your video is extremely helpful. Thank you!
Thank you for starting with the basics, I can't wait to give this a go! Such an informative video & style, thank you! :)
Excellent video, clear voice, moved along quickly, and fabulous tips, as soon as I sort my craft studio I'm going to have a go making some charms, Thank you
I've been doing some basic clay models out of Fimo I got as a present. My friends loved them so much that they offered to buy them and a massive dispute happened over a little snake I had made. My friends wanted me to make certain things they like, for example, one of my friends wanted a model of his dog. This video helped me SO much. I really appreciate your help! thanks!
Yay thank you so much for this! My kids and I just picked it up, we're about to do our second go around. I really love and admire your video because it isn't just telling me about all of these fancy must have products that professionals use. I took notes during the video lol I have almost everything besides glaze sitting around my house. Your voice is also lovely and made this video easy to watch. Keep up the hard work!
SOOO helpful! I just want to make myself a keychain, and this really helped. 😁 Your charms are out of this world too! 😮🖤
when you're ready for some sick tricks and the playdoh crazy cuts ad comes on
Emma Van Haele ❤️
I had no idea how polymer clay beads were made. This video was outstanding... I learned so much from it!
Omg, I’ve never found a video so extremely helpful, if I could I would give you a thousand thumbs uppp! I was losing my willingness to keep crafting with clay but you motivated me to keep going! Thank you sooo much!
thank you Rachel this video has definitely convinced me to begin with polymer clay! thank you, it made me so happy to see all my troubles and doubts vanish!! I will let you know how it goes!!😘
Melissa same!!
Very informative for beginners. Well done! Thanks!
🤯 🤩 I am TOO inspired now!
That foil tent would have saved so many pieces, never again!! 🥳 thank you so much
Thank you! I've played with fimo and sculpey for decades now but this was still really helpful!
Thanks for the shout out Rachael! :)
Excellent! Very thorough video on how to use clay! Thank you!
Fantastic tips. Just picked up Fimo again after years of forgetting about it. Found your videos. They are so helpful to get me started! Can't wait to get crafting 🙂
Thank you sooo much for this video. I am getting a package of 12 fimo clay blocks with tools, and 100 eye pins. I’m so excited for the package now! This video taught me so much about polymer clay and now I know things I never knew before. You have just got yourself a new subscriber! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
I got a great deal and got 10.63 kg, roughly 20 pounds of clay. I am going nuts here! 😁😁😁
A really good bunch of tricks and tips! Thanks
This answered all the questions I had about using polymer clay, thank you so much!
Thank you so much for making such a detailed video. It gave me a lot of insight and I am excited to start my own little polymer clay projects.
This is definitely helpful! It's my first time on your channel (also using polymer clay) and I am about to watch them all hahaha.... so complete and well explained! Great peace as well. Just great. Thanks for making this video!
Have you ever work with thermoplastic pellets? I've been trying it because it's supposed to be biofriently but I do not fancy its finished look. I wonder if i'm doing something wrong.