What is Polymer Clay?

• Polymer clay is a non-toxic man-made sculpting material which can stay pliable until cured at a relatively low temperature. It is also made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
• Essentially is like plasticine for artists. Virtually every shape is achieveable using your hands and anything you can get your hands on.
• Color mixing is very important as if you mix it too much, you may loose the design completely. It’s one of those artistic creations where you need to know where to stop.

What is the attraction to Polymer Clay?

• Polymer Art is a vision of my own expression.
• It’s like feeling your brain explode full of knowledge and something so vibrant and up lifting can come to life right in front of you.
• You can keep fixing and moulding until you get what you want. It’s a forgivable art form before baking it.
• I have always been a creative person and I think on new ideas and how to put those ideas into a form of art.
• Once you feel the clay between your hands its like magic. It’s almost as if the clay speaks to you and lets you know what it wants you to do.

Underestimated art form?

• I’m not sure really what it is, or why some people look at polymer art and never give it a second glance. Is it because it’s handmade? or maybe they don’t really know what it is.
• Non creative people hear clay and think “Oh that’s easy to do!”. Not keeping in mind all the tools and product I have invested in.
• Clearly, Polymer clay has the power to push limits and really shock people. The true quest is finding people who appreciate this form of art.

Where do you see Polymer Art?

• I myself have seen so many pieces of jewelry, wall art and sculptures.
• The internet is filled with great ideas and techniques to be able to follow along.
• Some creative ideas, you would have no idea Polymer Clay was used to make something. The artist has pushed the limits and really created a masterpeice.
  

  

  Laurie Mueller, Polymer Artist, designed The Crochet Crowd’s badges that people wear at shows.

  Tips

• The most important thing to remember about working with polymer clay and making your very own Polymer Clay Art, is that all you really need is a piece of clay, your own two hands, and an oven to bake it in.
• It’s inexpensive, easy to work with, and you can create anything your heart desires.
• It’s one of the few hobbies where there is not a lot of upfront costs associated to it.
• Try your hands at Polymer art… it may make you feel like a kid again and you can create stuff like jewelry pieces and much more with your own two hands.

Written by Laurie Mueller – Polymer Artist for Mikey at The Crafting Crowd.