Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Ancient Modern: Book giveaway!

by

by Ronna Sarvas Weltman
by Ronna Sarvas Weltman

Hello readers!  It’s time for another *drumroll please* book giveaway!  I’ll be giving the book  Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry to one lucky commenter!  (And this is a really fabulous book!  You can read my review here.)

Leave us a note in the comments of this post – you can tell us about your favorite tool, your latest clay project, or just say hello.   This next part is very important: you must leave a way or me to get a hold of you, let you know you’ve won, and get your mailing information!

I will be drawing a name out of a hat and announcing it on the blog in one week  (Friday May 29)

[tags]book giveaway, ancient modern: polymer clay and wire jewelry[/tags]

Comments

  2. This book looks beyond yummy!!! Currently I’m back into stamping on clay and then distressing. My most useful tool would be a toothpick or scewer to drill holes as I like stringing on rubber cording. My favorite tools are my texture sheets and the texture stamps I have made from clay.

    I’ll buy this book if I don’t win it…hope I went though, 😀

  3. I’m really excited about this book and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I’d love to win it but I’ll be buying a copy if I don’t.

  4. The book looks great, I’m signing up for the drawing and keeping my fingers crossed

    Darla – arrived via Craft Gossip

    dbande AT hotmail DOT com

  5. Polymer clay has opened a new world to me. After retiring as a nurse to help raise my grandson I knew I needed more. As my grandson grew I started working with clay. I am now also dabbling in collage, assemblage and encaustics among other things, but clay will always be first in my heart.

  7. I recently got interested in Polymer Clay and can use all the help I can get! I’m one for following directions to the “T” until I get the hang of it, so this is a book I can sink my teeth into. Thanks for the review and for the giveaway.

  8. I live in the “bottom” of Europe in a tinny little country, Portugal. It’s a friendly , beautiful and sunny country.
    I have no longer a job, so I work at home creating all the projects I can get with polymer clay and wire ( rings, neclaces, incens supports…).
    Your book would be such a marvellous gift, that I do not dare to dream about. I never never never win a price ah ah ah !!!!
    I apoligize my english (my portuguese is much better!!!!)

    Bye bye and thank you for this chance to win your helpful book.

    Ana

  10. this book looks wonderful… right now i’m working on some clay gargoyles. one of my fav tools is the simple garlic press, gives me all kinds of squiggley things

Have you read?

The Best Glue for Polymer Clay (And How to Use It Without Messy Mistakes)

If you’ve ever spent hours sculpting the perfect polymer clay earrings only to have the posts pop off, you’ll know the heartbreak of choosing the wrong glue. Polymer clay doesn’t play nicely with every adhesive, and what works for paper or wood can end up brittle, tacky, or just plain useless on clay.

After twenty years of crafting with polymer clay—jewelry, buttons, magnets, and more—I’ve tested my fair share of glues. Below is a no-fuss guide to the best glues for polymer clay, when to use them, and a few tricks that will save you from sticky disasters.

Do You Really Need Glue for Polymer Clay?

Here’s the secret: clay itself bonds better to clay than any glue can. So, if you can bake pieces together, that’s always the strongest option. But for jewelry findings, mixed-media projects, or attaching polymer clay to metal, glass, or ceramics—yes, glue becomes your best friend.

The Best Glues for Polymer Clay

1. Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate)

  • Best for: Quick fixes, small attachments like jewelry posts or jump rings. 
  • Pros: Dries in seconds, clear finish. 
  • Cons: Brittle over time, not ideal for stress points. 
  • Tip: Use a tiny drop. Too much will bloom white residue onto your clay. 

2. E6000

  • Best for: Heavy-duty bonds, especially clay to metal (think bails, barrettes, and keychains). 
  • Pros: Industrial strength, flexible once cured. 
  • Cons: Strong fumes, needs 24 hours to fully cure. 
  • Tip: Work in a ventilated space and clamp your piece while drying. 

3. Two-Part Epoxy

  • Best for: Jewelry and repairs that need to last a lifetime. 
  • Pros: Rock-solid bond, water-resistant. 
  • Cons: Messy to mix, limited working time. 
  • Tip: Mix on a scrap surface and apply with a toothpick for precision. 

4. Polymer Clay–Friendly Liquid Clay (Like Sculpey Bake & Bond)

  • Best for: Attaching raw clay to baked clay before re-baking. 
  • Pros: Fuses clay layers when baked, invisible bond. 
  • Cons: Won’t work as a cold glue. Needs baking. 
  • Tip: Great for mosaics or adding small details that need extra security. 

5. PVA or White Craft Glue

  • Best for: Porous surfaces like paper, cardboard, or fabric accents. 
  • Pros: Cheap, easy to find. 
  • Cons: Weak bond on non-porous surfaces. 
  • Tip: Use only for mixed-media projects where polymer clay is decorative, not structural. 

Common Gluing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

  • Using too much glue: More isn’t stronger. A thin layer bonds better. 
  • Not roughing up surfaces: Lightly sand shiny metal or glass so glue has something to grip. 
  • Skipping the clean-up: Oils from your fingers weaken adhesion—wipe surfaces with rubbing alcohol first. 
  • Expecting miracles: Some things just won’t bond forever. Reinforce with wire, eye pins, or bake-in hardware whenever possible. 

My Go-To Recommendation

If you’re attaching metal jewelry findings, go for two-part epoxy or E6000. For clay-to-clay details, stick with liquid polymer clay and rebake. Super glue? Only for quick fixes when I’m too impatient (we’ve all been there).

Choosing the right glue for polymer clay isn’t just about brand—it’s about matching the adhesive to the project. Once you understand when to use each type, your clay creations will hold up beautifully for years.