Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Comments

  1. Darn, I started typing a comment, & clicked on something by mistake…it’s gone! At least I think so–if it’s in moderation, I apologize for the re-post. Anyway, I’m bummed that I missed “Talk like a Pirate Day.” It’s always so much fun–we always laugh ourselves silly when we act like pirates.

    I ended up over here today because Cindy did a post on you. She mentioned an article you did back when she was first starting out…seems like she wanted to say “thanks” by blogging about you today. I was surprised to find that her blog/website isn’t in your resource list on the left side. She’s certainly come a long way from just a few videos…she’s got an entire webite filled with polymer clay information of every type. She still works tirelessly to answer questions and provide support. She comes up with new techniques, and finds ways to improve or simplify older ones. It’s funny–your previous post was about the tri-bead roller, and she just did a new video tutorial about tube beads, and the Amaco Tube bead roller–something many of us had difficulty using correctly. (The instructions are a bit lacking with those tools.)

    Cindy has kept her teeny-tiny membership price the same all this time…it’s still a very low $3.32 a month. That gets you 4 new video tutorials, and 12 color recipes (from 3 custom palettes.) Well, I guess I’ve rambled enough. I just want people to know how amazing The Polymer Clay Tutor’s site is–especially for beginner/intermediate clayers.

    Thanks for your awesome site. I’ll be sure to visit again…
    Thanks, Gianna

Have you read?

Pottery Clay – DIY Divided Tapas Serving Platter with Illustrated Sections

Every good hostess knows a serving platter is the secret weapon at a party. It corrals snacks, makes everything look intentional, and saves you from running back and forth with little bowls. This DIY divided platter takes that idea one step further: each section is labeled with hand-drawn illustrations, making it both useful and irresistibly charming.

The original inspiration came from these  tapas-style platters, but we’re creating an English version featuring everyday snacks and nibbles. It’s fun, it’s functional, and it makes even store-bought crackers look Pinterest-worthy.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White ceramic clay (or air-dry clay if you don’t have access to a kiln) 
  • Rolling pin or slab roller 
  • Oval platter base template (downloadable below) 
  • Divider templates (downloadable below) 
  • Scoring tool + slip for joining clay 
  • Sponge and rib tool for smoothing 
  • Cobalt blue underglaze pencil OR blue underglaze with a fine brush 
  • Kiln + clear glaze (for ceramic clay) OR a food-safe sealant (for air-dry clay) 

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Shape the Base

Roll a slab of clay about ½ inch thick. Place the oval platter template on top and cut out your base. Smooth edges with a damp sponge.

Step 2: Add Dividers

Use the divider templates to cut strips of clay. Attach them to the base by scoring and slipping. Smooth joins and curve the edges slightly for a handmade look.

Step 3: Refine

Let the platter dry until it’s leather-hard. At this stage, you can tidy the walls, soften corners, and make sure the surface is smooth.

Step 4: Draw Your Illustrations

Here’s where the personality shines. Using an underglaze pencil or fine brush, sketch quick doodles into each section. Keep them loose and playful, not perfect. Our platter has:

  • Cheese – wedges with holey details 
  • Ham – loose stack of wavy slices 
  • Anchovies – three slim fish outlines 
  • Sardines – larger, striped fish drawings 
  • Salami – one log plus a few round slices with dotted speckles 
  • Olives – oval shapes with pits, some sliced open 
  • Tomatoes – little cluster of round tomatoes tied together 

Note: Drawings are slightly altered from the original for a fresh, unique design.

Step 5: Fire and Finish

  • For ceramic clay: bisque fire, add clear glaze, and glaze fire. 
  • For air-dry clay: allow to dry fully, then paint with a clear food-safe sealant if you’ll use it for food. Otherwise, it makes a perfect decorative tray.