Polymer clay is a man-made material that remains pliable for long periods, but bakes or “cures” in your home oven (or a toaster or convection oven set aside just for polymer clay use) at a fairly low temperature.   Though hard, thin sheets are often flexible, you can sculpt it, carve it, stamp it, texture it, sand it, buff it, paint it, and build with it to create sculpture, accessories, figurines, dolls, or jewelry, or use it to embellish other surfaces.

You can use polymer clay to make mosaics, plaques, wall hangings, furniture and other decorations.   In recent years, polymer clay has developed from a child’s plaything into an artistic medium, yet its delightful playfulness has not been lost.

        —Definition courtesy of the National Polymer Clay Guild

           — Modified by NHPCGuild 2008