Best Sculpey Polymer Clay Art Activities for Kids and Adults

Polymer clay comes in a few different formulas which are pretty easy to find in any craft/art store. You can make almost anything smaller than a bread box.

To start I suggest Original or Super Sculpey Clay. These are the softest of the common polymer brands; however, they will break easily if your design has thin sections. They come in one color in a small heavy box. These clays are good for thick shapes and entertaining kids for an afternoon. The per ounce price of these two brands is significantly lower than the colored formulas. See my amazon choices.

There are lots of inexpensive tools you can buy or you can make your own. When you buy a good paint brush, it comes with a small plastic tube (which protects the hair). I find these covers are perfect as mini rolling pins or to smooth out fingerprints around a corner. Wire, foil, cardboard and masking tape work well as armatures; however, the piece will be stronger if it's solid clay. Your sculpture can then be painted with artist's acrylic paints after curing.

The next hardest (still very malleable) and most commonly purchased formula is Sculpey III. It comes in many colors and is great for making jewelry or small items. Most craft stores carry a multi-color pack with an ounce of each color.

There are tons of polymer craft books on the market and ideas online. Sue Heaser is one of the best polymer sculptors and she has written several books and has some good teaching films. Donna Kato also is worth checking out. You don't have to have talent to enjoy polymer; if you can roll a ball or flatten dough you can make something cool.

When mixing colors, take a pinch of each and do a test first. Mixing more than two colors will mute the color considerably. You can use this clay to add color to the softest brands above but it will be very muted and usually dull.

Sculpey III is usually cheaper than Primo Sculpey which is the strongest Sculpey clay in their line. Primo Sculpey Clay is more difficult to work with as it takes some kneading to be flexible enough to shape, especially the lighter colors and white. You can put it in the sun to warm it first which helps a bit.

All colored clays tint your fingers temporarily (especially reds) so I suggest putting lotion on before washing your hands to soften the clay and use a nail brush to speed up the process. You can also use wet wipes. Regular baby powder on your hands helps if you have overworked your item-it's too warm and sticky-or to control the staining preemptively. Go easy though, too much will weaken the clay's ability to stick to itself and make strong shapes. It's best to take a break and let it cool to room temperature instead or try putting it into the fridge.

If you want to start making miniatures of anything, this is a really fun way to start. If you find you need an even stronger clay for delicate items like delicate dollhouse furniture, you may need to graduate to Fimo, an entirely different brand. I rarely have the patience for Fimo. It takes forever to soften up (especially Cadmium Yellow and white) but will make the thinnest items.

Liquid Sculpey is great for "gluing" already cooked pieces together. If applied thinly, it cures clear. Looks like glue but isn't sticky. The heat melts the items then glues it together.

All clays can cook in a regular oven and all can burn. Carefully lay a flat piece of foil over all your items to keep them from burning. Most clay formulas cure at 275 in the oven after 15 minutes (see package). Thicker items take longer. There is no problem with cooking longer or re-cooking, if you're at the right temp. A single smooth floor tile works best to cook on, or try a plain stoneware dish. Test your oven with an oven thermometer to get the perfect temperature. Let items cool in/on the oven. A slow cooling always becomes a stronger item.

After curing, you can paint, engrave or brush on a matte or gloss Sculpey Varnish. Be sure to wash your brush quickly afterwards or the hair will harden. I've heard you can use clear nail polish but haven't tried it yet. Don't use acrylic spray varnish. The spray remains sticky to the touch forever. You can wet-sand items to bring out a natural looking sheen on the clay which is really nice too. Start with 400 grit and move to 800 then, 1200 grit for the best outcome. Sometimes I go to 2000, then buff with a paper towel to get the nicest natural shine. Wet-sand paper is found in the auto supply dept.

Mini Activity:

You need a small flat surface on your sculpture. Dust baby powder lightly on top. Press a regular scrapbook rubber stamp into your design, cook, then fill image with another color clay. Scrap off excess then cook again. An easy way to make perfect designs.

Things to Make:

Beads and pendants, dollhouse furniture and accessories, vases, figurines, small ring size boxes or dishes, and anything small you can think of! Take old baby food jars and cover them with designs and make a clay lid. I have made tons of doll furniture and animal figures.

Or, Let the clay direct you. It's very therapeutic. Relax with a handful of Original or Super Sculpey and you can knead the clay into mindless infinite shapes.

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