Can You Use Polymer Clay To Make Pottery?

What is Polymer Clay?

Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that is made from PVC resin mixed with plasticizers and pigments. It is a pliable, flexible material that can be shaped by hand into various designs. When baked at a low temperature, polymer clay hardens while retaining its shape.

There are several major brands of polymer clay including Sculpey, Fimo, Premo, Cernit, and Kato Polyclay. Each brand offers a range of colors and finishes like gloss, pearl, translucent, and metallic. Polymer clays remain flexible and workable until they are baked in a regular oven or toaster oven at temperatures typically below 300°F.

Key properties that distinguish polymer clay from other clays are its flexibility, ability to be hardened through baking, and retention of fine detail. These characteristics make it a versatile material for creating decorative objects, jewelry, miniatures, cake toppers, and more. Artists appreciate polymer clay for the vivid colors available, ease of use, and stability of finished creations.

What is Pottery?

Pottery refers to objects made from clay that is molded or shaped while wet and then hardened by heating in a kiln. Pottery is made from ceramic materials such as clays, which can be domestic or imported, along with silica, feldspar, and kaolin.

There are several different types of pottery defined by the clay composition and firing method:

• Earthenware – Made from clay containing iron and other minerals, fired at lower temperatures. Earthenware is porous and less durable.
• Stoneware – Denser and non-porous due to higher firing temperatures. Stoneware has excellent strength and durability.
• Porcelain – Made from kaolin clay and fired at very high temperatures. Porcelain is highly refined, translucent, and smooth.

Pottery can be glazed or left natural. Glazes provide color, decoration, and a protective seal on the porous clay. Pottery is valued for its functionality and aesthetics. The sturdy, durable nature of ceramics allows pottery to be used for a wide range of purposes including vessels, decorative objects, sculptures, and more.

Can Polymer Clay be Used to Make Pottery?

Polymer clay can be shaped, molded, and sculpted similarly to traditional pottery clays for making ceramics. It is very versatile and easy to work with by hand or with simple tools. Polymer clay keeps its shape as it firms up, allowing detailed forms to be made. It can then be hardened permanently in a regular home oven.

However, polymer clay has some key differences from ceramic clays used for pottery. Rather than natural earthen materials like clay, water, and minerals, polymer clays contain PVC resins, plasticizers, fillers, and pigments. So polymer clay is technically a plastic-based crafting material, not a traditional ceramic.

The chemical compositions between polymer clay and ceramic clay are very different. While ceramic ware is durable, oven/dishwasher safe, and non-porous, objects made from pure polymer clay may not share the same properties. Polymer clay can chip or degrade over time and exposure to heat or chemicals. Any functional pottery requires an appropriate sealant.

Advantages of Using Polymer Clay for Pottery

Polymer clay offers several advantages that make it a great material for pottery projects. One significant benefit is it is easy to sculpt intricate details and textures. The material softens when conditioned yet remains pliable without becoming overly sticky or mushy. This allows creators to emboss, press, cut, roll, and shape it with precision.

Polymer clay can be molded into almost any shape and will maintain structural integrity over time. Pieces remain dimensionally stable and do not shrink, slump, or sag. The material firms up upon cooling and continues to harden after baking. This stability allows for increased design options like tall vessels, handles, and embellishments.

A wide array of vibrant colors can be achieved with polymer clay from primary hues to pastels to swirls. Premixed colors can be purchased, or custom blends can be created by hand-mixing shades together. Polymer clay is also conducive to a variety of surface treatments like metallic powders, mica powders, acrylic paints, and more to enhance the appearance.

Lastly, polymer clay does not require the intense heat of a kiln for hardening. After sculpting and design details are complete, pieces can be cured in a regular home oven. The lower baking process of 275°F makes working with polymer clay accessible without the need for expensive equipment.

Disadvantages of Using Polymer Clay for Pottery

There are some drawbacks to using polymer clay instead of traditional ceramic clay for pottery:

Not a Traditional Clay/Ceramic Material: Polymer clay contains PVC resin, plasticizers, and pigments rather than natural clay materials. This means it does not have the same material properties as ceramic clay.

Limited Strength and Durability Compared to Ceramic: While polymer clay can be very durable, it does not achieve the strength and longevity of properly fired ceramic ware. Polymer clay can chip or crack more easily.

Polymer Clay is Plastic-Based – Contains Chemicals: Since polymer clay contains vinyl compounds instead of natural ingredients, there are concerns about off-gassing and exposure to plasticizers or other chemicals with extended use.

Food-Safety Concerns Prevents Functional Use: Due to the chemical composition and lower durability over time, items made from polymer clay are generally considered decorative rather than food-safe and functional for practical use.

Best Practices for Polymer Clay Pottery

When working with polymer clay to create pottery, following best practices will result in more durable and beautiful finished pieces. Conditioning and properly preparing the clay is a critical first step.

Kneading the clay makes it soft and pliable so it can be easily shaped without cracking. Allowing it to rest also enables any trapped air bubbles to be removed before molding. For intricate pottery pieces, using an inner wire or foil armature provides stability and reinforcement for better structual integrity.

Polymer clay requires sufficient heat exposure to fully cure and harden. Allowing enough baking time, at the temperature recommended by the clay manufacturer, is essential. Baking for too short of a duration can result in areas that remain tacky or are prone to cracking and breaking.

After baking and cooling fully, using fine grit sandpaper or abrasive buffing pads to smooth the clay creates an even, professionally finished appearance. Eliminating any surface roughness exposes the rich color and luster of the clay medium.

Polymer Clay Pottery Designs

One of the main benefits of using polymer clay for pottery is the ability to create unique designs not possible with traditional ceramic clay. Polymer clay can mimic the look of both wheel-thrown and hand-built clay pots. However, polymer clay opens up more creative possibilities when it comes to shape, color, and textures.

Jewelry pieces, figurines, vases, bowls, and decorative home objects can all be fashioned from polymer clay. The moldable and versatile nature of polymer clay means artisans are only limited by their imagination. Polymer clay can be shaped by hand or molded into custom designs.

Vivid colors and metallic effects can be mixed directly into polymer clay or painted on after baking. Intricate designs like floral motifs, landscapes, geometric patterns are easier to achieve compared to traditional clay firing and glazing techniques. Distinctive textures ranging from smooth finishes to faux stone effects can be incorporated.

In summary, polymer clay removes many of the creative restrictions imposed when working solely with ceramic clay bodies and glazes. The diversity of polymer clay art allows creating anything from realistic vessels to fanciful sculptures worthy of display.

Notable Polymer Clay Artists

As the popularity of polymer clay art has grown over the years, many talented artists have gained recognition for their innovative sculptures, jewelry, and pottery. Some of the most renowned polymer clay artists include:

Christi Friesen

Christi Friesen is an acclaimed polymer clay artist known for her colorful fantasy sculptures of elves, gnomes, wizards, and animals. Her figures have a distinct anime style and her breathtaking scenes and dioramas bring fairy tales to life.

Shay Aaron

Shay Aaron is a polymer clay artist who specializes in sculpting miniature foods including fruits, vegetables, bread, pastries, and more. Her tiny creations are brightly colored and highly detailed, reminiscent of mouthwatering treats. She uses innovative techniques that let the translucent clay appear wet, shiny, frothy, and crisp.

Vanessa Valencia

Vanessa Valencia is known for her wearable polymer clay jewelry and sculptures. Her signature style includes ornate, feminine motifs like cameos, roses, pearls, and art nouveau filigree worked into necklaces, pendants, rings, and brooches. She is a skilled canework artist, able to achieve an incredible range of fluid shapes.

Angela Mabray

Angela Mabray is a sought-after polymer clay artist and instructor who specializes in realistic animal sculptures. Her detailed creatures capture not just anatomical accuracy but the very essence of her subjects through striking poses and attentive expressions. She shares her techniques through online classes and DVD tutorials.

Examples of Polymer Clay Pottery

There are many talented artists creating stunning polymer clay pottery. Some examples include:

Canvaase Design Polymer Clay Vases

Canvaase Design creates unique, colorful polymer clay vases with striking patterns. Their vases have an intricate layered look combining different polymer clays. The vases showcase the versatility and beauty possible with polymer clay for pottery.

Miniature Food Jewelry by Shay Aaron

Jewelry artist Shay Aaron sculpts miniature polymer clay food like cupcakes, doughnuts, and popsicles into wearable pendants and earrings. Her playful designs showcase the sculptability of polymer clay for jewelry that resembles ceramic food.

Cat Sculptures by Christi Friesen

Renowned polymer clay artist Christi Friesen sculpts incredibly lifelike cat sculptures from polymer clay. With amazing attention to detail, she captures the textures of fur and unique personalities of cats. Her cat sculptures demonstrate polymer clay’s ability for fine detailing in pottery.

Conclusion

In summary, polymer clay can absolutely be used to create pottery. While it has limitations compared to traditional clay, such as vulnerability to heat exposure, polymer clay is lightweight, easy to work with, and comes in a wide variety of colors. It can be molded, shaped, and textured in much the same way as ceramic clay. The finished pieces can have a porcelain-like appearance.

Key benefits of polymer clay for pottery include the ability to bake pieces at home, avoid the need for a kiln, and create intricate hand-built details. Limitations revolve around durability – items may become misshapen or colors fade if baked improperly or exposed to heat over time. Polymer clay is best for decorative, non-functional ware.

As an art form, polymer clay allows limitless creativity. Skilled artists combine fine attention to detail with imaginative designs. The results are often described as whimsical, beautifully stylistic, and possessing a lifelike quality. With practice nearly any idea can be shaped into a stunning piece. Polymer clay pottery has carved out a respected niche in the world of pottery and continues to gain popularity.