Polymer clay, also called polymer clay, is a modeling material favored by jewelry and decorative object designers. Unlike natural clay, it does not dry in the open air: it only hardens when baked, which leaves ample time to sculpt, texture, and assemble creations without time constraints.
What is it made of?
Polymer clay is primarily composed of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) resin and a plasticizer, such as phthalate esters. Once baked at a low temperature in a conventional oven, it becomes hard, slightly flexible, and durable: qualities that make it an ideal material for crafting jewelry, figurines, and decorative objects that need to withstand everyday use.
The main brands
Several brands currently share the market, each with its own specific characteristics:
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Fimo (Staedtler) — the historic brand, known for its wide range of colours and firm texture, ideal for precise details.
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Cernit — appreciated for its slightly translucent finish and flexibility, perfect for working with color gradients.
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Sculpey (formerly Polyform) — a more flexible clay, accessible for beginners.
Each of these pastas works very well with our polymer clay cookie cutters : their cutting precision is suitable for both firm textures and softer doughs.
A story that dates back to the 1930s
The story of polymer clay begins in 1939, when an early version of the material was brought to the attention of Käthe Kruse, a renowned German doll maker. Her daughter, Sophie Rehbinder-Kruse, continued the experimentation and, in 1954, developed the first polymer clay kit designed for making mosaics, miniatures, and vases. It was named "FIMOIK," a contraction of "Fifi" (Sophie's nickname) and "Moïk," meaning mosaic.
In 1964, the German company Eberhard Faber, specializing in art supplies, took up the idea and developed the material for more creative uses. In 1967, the brand was officially launched under the name "Fimo," the name we know today.
In the 1970s, polymer clay gained popularity in Europe and the United States, particularly with the arrival of the Polyform brand (later renamed Sculpey), appealing to artists and craft enthusiasts. The 1980s and 1990s saw significant diversification: new colors, new effects (translucent, glittery, etc.), and increasingly sophisticated modeling techniques. The creation of jewelry, miniatures, and decorations then became one of the most popular uses for the general public.
Polymer clay today
These days, polymer clay is experiencing a real boom, driven by an ever-growing creative community. Between specialized tools like our cookie cutters, THE texture rollers and plates or even the transfer sheetsThe creative possibilities seem endless: earrings, rings, keychains, bookmarks... each designer can develop her own style.
Ready to get started? Discover our selection tools for polymer clay to start your first creations.
