How Do You Make A Sphere Out Of Polymer Clay?

Polymer clay is a type of modeling and sculpting material that cures and hardens when baked in a regular home oven. It comes in a variety of colors and finishes and can be used to create jewelry, decorative items, dolls, miniature food, and more. Polymer clay is an enjoyable, creative medium that allows you to make durable, professional-looking finished products in your own kitchen.

Making a sphere from polymer clay involves gathering a few simple tools and materials, conditioning the clay by kneading, forming a core, adding layers of clay over the core, refining the shape and surface, baking to cure the clay, adding a finish if desired, and creating a base or stand. The process allows you to make smooth, perfectly rounded spheres in any size you desire. With some patience and practice, anyone can create an impressive polymer clay sphere to use as décor, give as a gift, or display as artwork.

Gather Materials

When making polymer clay spheres, you’ll want to gather the following supplies before getting started:

• Oven-bake polymer clay in the color(s) of your choosing. You’ll need around 1-2 blocks of clay per sphere, depending on the size you want to make.

• Clay sculpting tools like a roller, acrylic rod, and clay shaper. These help shape the clay and get into small areas.

• A smooth, non-stick work surface like glass, ceramic tile, or a specialty polymer clay work board. This prevents the clay from sticking as you sculpt it.

• Optional: Liquid clay, acrylic paints or other mediums to apply details and effects. Things like glitter and metallic powders work too.

Gather all your supplies and tools before starting so they’re within easy reach. Having the right materials will make the clay sculpting process easier.

Condition the Clay

Before you can start shaping your polymer clay into a sphere, it’s important to properly condition it. This process softens the clay and makes it more malleable so it will be easier to work with.

Start by kneading the clay with your hands. Kneading helps warm up the clay and make it softer and more flexible. You may need to knead for several minutes until the clay is smooth and pliable. Avoid over-kneading though, as that can cause the clay to become too soft.

After kneading, form the clay into a ball shape. This helps fully incorporate any color variations and blends the clay thoroughly for an even consistency across your sphere. Roll and squeeze the clay between your palms to form it into a smooth, rounded ball.

Your polymer clay is now conditioned and ready to be shaped into a perfect sphere!

Form the Core

The next step in making a polymer clay sphere is to form the solid core that the rest of the layers will be built upon. Start by taking a section of conditioned polymer clay and rolling it into a smooth ball shape in the palm of your hands. Apply even pressure as you roll to avoid any lumps or flat spots.

Work the ball of clay to get it as close to a perfect sphere as possible. Turn it in your hands and focus on smoothing out any imperfections. You may need to apply slightly more pressure where the clay appears uneven. The more time you take getting the core round at this stage, the easier the rest of the shaping process will be.

Once you have a solid, smooth polymer clay ball formed, you are ready to move onto adding outer layers to build up the sphere. Having this perfectly rounded core will provide the right base structure.

Add Clay Layers

Once you have a solid core formed, it’s time to build up the sphere shape by adding layers of polymer clay. For each layer, take a portion of clay and flatten it into thin sheets using a roller or acrylic block. The sheets should be approximately 1/8″ thick or less.

Wrap the clay sheets around the core, smoothing the seams together carefully with your fingers. Try to avoid leaving any cracks or air pockets between the core and clay layers. Apply even pressure as you smooth to create a cohesive bond.

Add several rounds of thin clay sheets, building up layers until the sphere looks substantial and rounded. Rotate the sphere as you work to check for flat spots and maintain the shape. Add extra clay to any areas that need more fullness.

After each layer is added, gently smooth over the entire surface to help blend the clay sheets together into one uniform shape. Work slowly and carefully to prevent distorting the sphere shape.

Refine the Shape

Once you’ve added all the layers and your sphere is close to the desired size, it’s time to refine the shape into a perfect sphere. Carefully smooth out any bumps, dents, or irregularities by gently manipulating the clay. Use your fingers and tools to compress areas that stick out and fill in any divots.

As you refine the shape, frequently turn the sphere in your hands to inspect it from all angles. Look for flat spots, drag marks, or seams from where the clay layers meet. Continue smoothing until the surface is perfectly rounded on all sides.

Pay close attention to removing any fingerprints, dust, or debris embedded in the clay. Wipe fingerprints away gently with a soft cloth. Use a clean paintbrush to dust away any particles. Filling in fingerprints and flaws will result in a smooth, professional finish.

Take your time at this stage to perfect the shape. A symmetrical, seamless sphere will lead to an impressive final product.

Bake Clay

After you’ve shaped and molded your polymer clay sphere with flattened bottom, it’s time to bake it to harden your creation. Be sure to follow the package instructions for baking polymer clay. Typically the temperature will be 275°F for 15 minutes per 1/4 inch of thickness. Bake it in a well-ventilated oven, as the fumes emitted during baking polymer clay can be toxic.

For the sphere, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil – do not set it directly on the baking sheet. The bottom may flatten slightly under its own weight during baking. Allow the polymer clay sphere to cool completely before handling. Attempting to handle a warm clay creation could cause deformation.

Apply Finish

Once your polymer clay sphere has cooled after baking, you may want to apply a finishing touch. Sanding with fine grit sandpaper can help smooth any rough edges or bumps. Be gentle when sanding to avoid scratching the surface.

For a glossy look, brush on a liquid polymer clay glaze and bake again according to package directions. There are clear glazes as well as colored options like pearlized glazes. This will give your sphere a glass-like coated finish.

Acrylic paint can also be used to coat the sphere. Thin layers of paint work best. Let the paint fully dry and add additional coats for a more opaque appearance. The acrylic paint will air dry without needing to bake again.

You may also choose to leave your polymer clay sphere unfinished. The natural clay color and texture can look beautiful on its own. Just be aware that unfinished clay is more prone to showing dirt and marks over time.

Whichever finishing technique you choose, take care not to over-handle the sphere so you don’t distort the shape. A light touch goes a long way when applying the final finish.

Create Base

After your polymer clay sphere has been baked and finished, you may want to display it on a base. Creating a base allows your sphere to stand upright and creates an attractive presentation.

You have a couple options for attaching your sphere to a base:

• Bake the base and sphere together. Before baking your sphere, create your base out of polymer clay, then attach the raw sphere securely to the base. Bake them together according to the clay manufacturer’s instructions.
• Glue the sphere to the base after baking. Let your sphere cool completely after baking, then use a strong adhesive like epoxy or super glue to securely attach it to your base.

For the base itself, craft stores sell ready-made bases in various shapes and sizes. Or get creative and sculpt your own custom base out of polymer clay that complements your sphere. Make sure the base is sturdy enough to properly support the weight of the sphere.

Enjoy Your Sphere

Now that you’ve completed sculpting and baking your polymer clay sphere, it’s time to enjoy your new creation! Here are some tips for care and handling of your sphere, as well as inspiration for sculpting other shapes:

To keep your sphere looking its best, avoid exposing it to direct sunlight for long periods of time as this can cause fading. Store in a cool, dry place away from dust. Polymer clay can be gently cleaned with a soft cloth, but avoid submerging it in water or using harsh cleaners which can damage the finish.

While a smooth sphere was your starting point, polymer clay is very versatile for sculpting all kinds of shapes and figures. Consider sculpting geometric shapes like cubes, pyramids, or cylinders. Sculpt faces, animals, or objects by adding small details like eyes, ears, tails or handles. Let your imagination run wild and have fun with the sculpting process!

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to sculpt a polymer clay sphere. With patience and practice, you’ll be on your way to creating amazing works of art from this colorful medium.