by Rufina Ocello

Created on: June 20, 2010

Ask many parents and they'll tell you that playing with clay often tops their children's list of things to do for rainy-day fun. That's not too surprising, since clay's brilliant colors and malleable feel can make any gray day seem a little bit better.

But what many adults forget is that clay is not just for kids. In fact clay is too often overlooked by grownups who want to have their own creative fun. There is a whole world of very wonderful art that is done in polymer art. Polymer clay is composed of fine particles of polyvinyl chloride that has been suspended in a plasticizer. It comes in small squares and is sold in art and craft stores.

The clay can be used to make all kinds of things: beads, necklaces, small purses, sculptures and keepsake boxes. Unlike earthen clay, polymer clay comes in a wide range of colors that can be blended together in a variety of ways, much like watercolor paints, to create new colors of the artist's choice.

Different patterns are made with the clay through a process called caning. Grafters choose the colors of clay they want to use and roll out pieces to the desired size. They layer the different pieces, one on top of the other, and form them into shapes such as balls or squares, the multicolored, multilayered ball can be used as it is, for a bead or trinket, or cut into small pieces that can be used to form larger designs.

Intricate pieces of art can be made from the many different designs formed with polymer clay. Necklaces can often be made with polymer clay. Start with beads of wood, glass or scrap clay and wrap clay of different colors and designs around them. To the larger beads, add other small beads or bric-a-brac.

Homemade clay jewelry can be preserved by heating the beads in a home oven at a low temperature. Oven temperatures and baking times are given on the clay squares. Sometimes heating polymer clay will produce a peculiar odor in the oven. It is recommended that anyone who plans to bake a lot in clay should consider purchasing a small toaster oven with a thermostat.

One of the best things to enjoy about working with clay is that is it relatively inexpensive. No fancy supplies are needed, and prices of the clay are relatively cheap. A square is approximately $2. It is easily accessible for average people, one of the best things about working with polymer clay.

Learn more about this author, Rufina Ocello.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.