Polymer clay crafts range from plain, such as simple round beads, to the ornate, such as intricately-detailed figurines and pendants. The clay lends itself to a variety of crafts in assorted colors, shapes and sizes, including miniatures. Other crafts include wedding toppers and dolls.
This versatile, man-made clay and is available in a variety of colors, which can be blended to create swirls, speckles and patterns or another color entirely. Known for its versatility and ease of use, polymer clay crafts can be created by rolling, cutting and sculpting the material. As it is easily manipulated for crafts, the clay is suitable for use by people of all ages. After being manipulated into a desired shape and size, the clay is oven-baked to give the craft hardness and longevity.
Making figurines is one type of popular polymer clay craft. From people and pets to out-of-this-world alien creatures, clay figurines are limited only by an artist's imagination. In addition to whimsical or life-like figures, crafters can also make look-alike figurines, such as those which can closely resemble a person, celebrity or pet. For a personalized touch on a wedding cake, look-alike figurines can be crafted of the bride and groom to serve as a cake topper.
Polymer clay crafts lend themselves to jewelry-making. Round beads can be produced en mass by rolling the clay into a cylindrical tube and slicing to a desired size. A hole is added to the beads' centers before they are baked, making an access area to string a necklace or bracelet. Pendants, pins and watch creations also lend themselves to crafts with polymer clay, as do earrings and charms.
Miniature artists use polymer clay to create a variety of items, from a plate of mini-cupcakes smaller than a quarter to a dresser for a doll house. The clay can even be used to make the tiny people and animals "living" in a miniature world. Christmas ornaments, imitation food and fake lava rocks are also polymer clay crafts.
One advantage of making polymer clay crafts is the ease of coloring and texturing the clay. Using faux finishes, crafters can create finishes resembling bone, ivory or semi-precious stones on simple objects like pendants. Textures can be added during the soft stage of making polymer clay crafts by simply stamping patterns into the clay, such as pressing an initial into a charm for a bracelet.