Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Hello from the new editor

by

Hi! It’s nice to meet you and it’s great to be here.

My name is Wendy, and I will be your new editor for the PolymerClay@CraftGossip blog. I am so happy to be able to bring all of the info I find about polymer clay here in one place for you. I love trying new techniques and new products with polymer clay and I know all of you do too. So, you’ll be reading all about the trials and tribulations of my claying along with breaking news in the polymer world, reviews on new products and everything polymer clay! If you are a newbie, don’t sweat it, I will have all of the info you need too !

If any of you out there have something in particular you’d like to read about, leave me a comment with the subject and I’ll put it on my list of topics to write about.

Stay tuned and I’ll be back, in the mean time be careful of the links you click on when surfing the web, it seems that a few polymer clay artist’s websites have been hacked into. Some sufers have gotten a virus from them. Always have a good antivirus program installed and updated to keep you from having that problem.

Comments

  2. Happy to welcome you in your new job .
    Good luck and hope you have fun doing it.
    I am a bottle of hope addict so anytime you talk about it I will be interested.

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.