Here's everything you need to begin making Polymer Clay Jewellery!
Get started with the essentials!
Whether you're starting your own business or simply looking for a fun hobby, having the right tools for polymer clay jewellery making is important, but it doesn't have to cost the earth. In fact, you may already have some of these items in your home!
Two of the biggest mistakes we make when learning a new skill is that we don't buy the right tools AND we buy way too much. We don't even know if we're going to enjoy this new medium!
In this article, you’ll find a list of those 'must have' items that you'll use while you're learning the basics of polymer clay jewellery making. Hover over any underlined text to see where you can source some of these items!
PLUS as a bonus, if you scroll to the bottom of this article you can download your own FREE printable shopping checklist as you make your own polymer clay beginners starter kit!
1. Polymer Clay
Six small blocks of polymer clay. That’s right, just six!
These six blocks of flat colour clay (i.e. without metallic effects etc) can be combined to create any shade and tone of every colour:
1 x Bright red
1 x Bright yellow
1 x Bright blue
1 x Black
2 x White
Why have I added two blocks of white? Because you will most likely use more white than any other colour when you are combining colours to get the right shade for your project.
Recommendation: Sculpey Premo 57 gram blocks : Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Cobalt Blue, White & Black
2. Tools for creating your polymer clay designs
Fondant roller or acrylic roller.
Polymer clay makers and bakers share some of the same tools, which is helpful to know when you're sourcing tools! I prefer a fondant roller because it has a matt finish.
Depth guides.
These ensure your polymer clay slab is an even thickness. Choose from:
a) Paddle pop sticks - if you’re on a budget, glue in a small 3mm high stack to give you the desired even depth when you roll out your clay.
b) Fondant roller - if your roller has rings on each end then these can also act as your depth guides.
c) Acrylic depth guides - these can be purchased in short or longer lengths and in different thicknesses for your clay depth.
2. Tools continued
Craft knife with stainless steel blade
Stainless steel flexible tissue blade
Shape cutters - use metal cookie cutters, 3D printed cutters (for polymer clay) or create your own unique shapes with your craft knife!
White high shine ceramic tile or cutting mat. Use this to work on and to bake your polymer clay components. Most tile shops will sell you single sample tiles and they're super cheap.
Needle tool or dotting tool - make jumpring holes while the clay is soft or create guide hole indents to help you drill your components more accurately when baked.
Oven thermometer if you feel that your oven temperature is inaccurate.
3. Toolkit items available in your supermarket/ pharmacy
If you don't already have these items in your home, your local supermarket or pharmacy will definitely have them. Brand names may vary from region to region. The generic brands of these items are cheaper and will work just as well:
Baking paper
Fragrance free baby wipes
Isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) - I use Australian brand Isocol, which is in most supermarkets and pharmacies. You’ll use this to clean your surfaces and for an amazing hack to remove lint from your uncured polymer clay before baking. You will also use to clean backs of studs and metal posts prior to glueing.
Q Tips/ cotton buds
4. Finishing your baked earring components
400/ 600 grit sandpaper - the higher the number, the smoother the finish. If you go too high, it will take you forever to sand your pieces. 400/ 600 grit will give you a nice finish. Use to remove cutter drag marks from edges of components and for the surface of your components if you're looking for a flawless finish.
Vaseline/ Pawpaw Ointment or similar - massage the tiniest amount into the surface of your polymer clay components to bring the colour back after sanding. Then remove any excess with a baby wipe.
Jewellery findings - this refers to earring posts that you will glue onto the back of any stud tops plus earring backs, hooks, hoops, jumprings (these are the small metal rings that join your dangle components together), necklace clasps and so on.
4. Finishing continued
Chain nose jewellery pliers for opening and closing your jumprings.
Pin drill - this is a hand drill, meaning it is not electric and allows you to drill holes in your baked polymer clay components for jumprings. You can also make your holes before baking your pieces. A pin drill is the gateway to an electric craft drill. I use the Dremel 3000 now but started with a pin drill until my business became busier.
Superglue - glue has always been a hot topic for polymer clay earrings and depending on your region, the available glues may differ. Over the years I’ve tried 2-part epoxy glues (these are messy), as well as a number of superglues. I’ve settled on Zap Gel PT-26 and Loctite Professional Superglue.
