Our Guide to Polymer Clay

Polymer Clay is an easily worked modelling material which sets hard in a domestic oven. It is extremely versatile medium, available in a large range of colours and effects. Different clay ranges have slightly different properties and so some are better suited to certain crafts, designs and experience levels than others. We generally recommend softer clays for beginners, but it really depends on what you want to create!

We stock the most popular polymer clays from the leading brands - FIMO made by Staedtler in Germany, Sculpey made my Polyform in the USA and Cernit, made in Belgium. At Craft Cellar you can be confident the clay is fresh as we keep stock levels low and have a fast turnover.

Polymer clays, regardless of manufacturer or type, can be used together in the same project and even blended.

Softer Clays - Easier to use

FIMO Soft

FIMO Soft is an easy-to-use clay which requires little conditioning. It's a great option for beginners.

Although FIMO Soft is convenient to use it is very durable and strong after baking. As a softer clay is a less good choice is sculpting very fine detail.

Recommended starter products: FIMO Soft White 0 (454g) • FIMO Soft Pale Pink 43 (454g) • FIMO Soft Black 9 (57g) • FIMO Soft Lemon 10 (57g) • View all FIMO Soft →

FIMO Effect

Similar in texture to FIMO Soft. Effect clays have additives to give enhanced properties: glitter, translucent, stone, metallic, neon, nightglow and botanical.

These are perfect for jewellery making or for anything that requires that extra sparkle.

Sculpey Souffle

A less dense clay which has a beautiful suede-like finish after baking. It is easy to condition and work with. Because of its lighter weight it is ideal for jewellery objects.

The baked clay has some flexibility which makes it less likely to break so is perfect for thin or intricate designs.

Sculpey III

Ready-to-use clay ideal for the beginner or for quick and easy use. It requires little conditioning. Colours can be blended and mixed with ease.

Sculpey III is great for making chunkier pieces such as figurines and beads although is less suitable for very fine detail work.

Recommended starter products: Sculpey III White (57g) • Sculpey III Yellow (57g) • Sculpey III Turquoise (57g) • Sculpey III Coral (57g) • View all Sculpey III →

Sculpey Bake Shop

Entry level polymer clay designed for novices and children. Lower cost and softer so easier to use than professional clays.

Firmer Clays - Hold detail well

Cernit Clays

Ideal for more experienced crafters as it is durable and holds detail well. Baked objects are strong and retain slight flexibility which helps to prevent cracking. The clay firmness before baking depends a lot on temperature and age of clay.

It is available as Cernit Number One (100% opaque matt), Cernit Translucent (allows light to penetrate), Cernit Opaline (semi-translucent matte), Cernit Pearl (bright pearlescent due to mica flakes), Cernit Metallic (shimmers due to mica particles), and Cernit Neon Light (bright colours that phosphoresce in UV light).

Recommended starter products:
Number One: Vanilla • Black • Raspberry
Translucent: Translucent • Amber • Ruby Red
Opaline: White • Pink • Apricot
Pearl: Pearl White • Violet • Blue
Metallic: Gold • Silver • Copper
Neon Light: Yellow • Green • Fuchsia
View all Cernit →

Sculpey Premo

This clay is popular with professionals and beginners alike. Although in the 'firmer' category, it is still easy to use. It holds shape and detail well and is strong and flexible after baking.

The Sculpey Premo range includes a range of accent colours with special properties - fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark, pearl, translucent, metallic, glitter, granite.

FIMO Professional

A polymer clay range for the more advanced or professional artist and modeller. FIMO Professional is a firmer clay which requires careful conditioning before sculpting.

It holds fine detail well and is extremely strong after baking. It is very versatile and great for blending, mixing and precise work.

Recommended starter products: FIMO Professional White 0 (454g) • View all FIMO Professional →

Super Sculpey

This clay is specifically designed for sculpting and only comes in the large 454g blocks. Super Sculpey Beige has a semi-translucency that mimics real skin.

Super Sculpey Grey has a natural grey colour which reveals fine detail. Available in Firm (best for intricate sculptures) and Medium (a little easier to build and blend).