Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

How to make Clay That looks like Polymer Clay

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You can actually make your own polymer-style clay at home, and the best part? You don’t need any fancy supplies. With just a couple of everyday household items—cornstarch and white PVA or Elmer’s glue—you can whip up a batch of soft, moldable clay that behaves a lot like store-bought polymer or Fimo clay.

This homemade clay recipe is budget-friendly, kid-safe, and perfect for crafters who want to experiment without investing in expensive packs of clay. Unlike some other DIY or air-dry clay recipes, this one dries to a smooth, pure white finish with minimal cracking, making it a great option for handmade ornaments, jewelry, small figurines, or keepsakes.

Think of it as the ultimate rainy-day project supply—you can mix it up in minutes, store it in the fridge for later, and then shape it into just about anything your imagination dreams up. Whether you’re crafting with kids, prepping for holiday decorations, or just want to test out clay sculpting without running to the craft store, this simple recipe has you covered.

homemade-polymerclay

This polymer clay tutorial shows you how to cook the glue and cornstarch to create a dough-like substance that will effectively dry in the air. So an air drying polymer clay.  Similar to white Airdrying clay but of course far more affordable!

You can also paint the clay and seal it with high gloss sealer. It is also referred to as cold porcelain for its smooth white finish.

You might be surprised to know that it also contains lemon juice.

The Etsy team at New York has put all the details and instructions together: Homemade Polymer Clay.

Have you tried making this Polymer / Fimo clay? Check out and let us know how it went in the comments below.

What did you make with your homemade clay?

Looking for air-drying clay? We highly recommend Das Air dry clay, we have been using this product for over 30 years. Check out their Das White Air drying clay and their Terracotta Air drying clay version for a natural pottery feel. For larger crafts we recommend buying your air drying clay in bulk

Comments

  2. Hi! You’re correct in that traditional plastics based polymer is heat cured but a lot of the air dry clays are lumped in with the polymer clay category in terms of tutorials, tools, their location at stores and their market. So my manager thought the recipe appropriate and posted it.

    It makes a nice air dry modeling material that has a texture similar but not quite like air dry “porcelain” clay. I imagine homemade polymer clay of the type I (and probably you!) work with would be more of a combination of heat set glues and pigments and binding powders rather than air dry glues and pigments and powders. One just polymerizes at a very different temperature / condition than the other.

  3. Just made a batch and only issue was food coloring isn’t bright enough so I hope to test one more batch with pure pigment

Have you read?

DIY Sushi Bowls and Ceramic Chopsticks with Koi Wave Pottery Transfer Paper

If you’ve ever wanted to bring a touch of Japanese artistry to your tableware, this project is the perfect place to start. Using koi wave pottery transfer paper, you can transform plain clay pieces into elegant sushi bowls and matching ceramic chopsticks—handmade, functional, and beautiful.

This beginner-friendly guide will show you how to apply ceramic transfer sheets to create a set that looks store-bought but carries the warmth of handmade craftsmanship.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White stoneware or porcelain clay (cone 5–6 recommended) 
  • Koi wave ceramic pottery transfer paper (as shown above) 
  • Rolling pin or slab roller 
  • Bowl molds (small curved molds or slump molds for sushi bowls) 
  • Wooden chopstick dowels or ceramic chopstick molds 
  • Scissors 
  • Sponge or damp cloth 
  • Rib tool or rubber kidney 
  • Clear glaze 
  • Kiln

Step 1: Prepare Your Clay

  1. For the bowls – Roll out clay slabs about ¼ inch thick. Drape over a bowl mold or press into a slump mold to create your sushi bowl shape. Smooth edges with a damp sponge. 
  2. For the chopsticks – Roll clay into long, even strips (or press into chopstick molds if you have them). Aim for a slim, uniform thickness so they feel comfortable to hold. 

Let all pieces firm up to leather-hard stage—firm but still damp enough to accept transfers.

Step 2: Cut Out the Transfer Designs

Trim sections of the koi wave transfer paper to fit your pieces. For bowls, you can cut circular panels or strips depending on whether you want the design inside, outside, or both. For chopsticks, cut narrow strips of transfer paper that can wrap around each stick.

Tip: Think about placement—the flowing wave design looks especially striking when it wraps around curved surfaces.

Step 3: Apply the Transfer Paper

  1. Place the transfer sheet design-side down on the leather-hard clay. 
  2. Lightly dampen the back of the paper with a sponge until it darkens and sticks. 
  3. Smooth gently with a rib tool to ensure full contact. 
  4. Carefully peel back the paper to reveal the koi wave design. 

Repeat until all bowls and chopsticks are decorated.

Step 4: Dry and Bisque Fire

Allow all pieces to dry completely. Bisque fire according to your clay’s temperature guidelines (usually cone 04 for bisque). This firing will lock in the koi wave design.

Step 5: Glaze and Final Fire

Brush or dip in a clear glaze to seal the transfers, bringing out the rich blue detail while keeping the white clay background crisp. Fire to your glaze cone temperature (typically cone 5–6).

The Finished Set

You’ll have a handmade sushi set featuring:

  • Mini sushi bowls – perfect for soy sauce, dipping, or small side dishes. 
  • Matching ceramic chopsticks – elegant and reusable, finished with koi wave patterns. 

Tips

  • Keep chopsticks uniform in thickness so they balance well in use. 
  • Test the transfer on a scrap piece first to gauge how much water is needed. 
  • Try mixing placement—inside bowl only vs. outside vs. full wrap—for variety. 
  • Consider making a full set: 4 bowls + 4 pairs of chopsticks for a complete handmade sushi dining experience. 

This koi wave pattern brings both serenity and elegance to your handmade ceramics. The deep blue waves paired with koi fish designs make each piece feel timeless—perfect for special meals, gifting, or even selling as artisan tableware.

Creating your own sushi set allows you to blend functionality with artistry—every bite of sushi becomes part of a beautiful, handmade ritual.