Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Low-Tech Tools

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One of the things I love about polymer clay is that there is no fancy equipment needed to create beautiful work. Aside from a pasta machine, tissue blade and toaster oven here are some low-tech tools I can’t live without.

1. Mini Drill – I picked it up for a song from Harbor Freight and have to say I don’t know how I got along without it. I like things low-tech, this is easy to use and gets the job done for my smaller beads.

2. Knitting needles – I love these for poking larger holes and as a sculpting tool. (Look for the double pointed in the thinner sizes.)

3. Old playing cards – I used these as disposable palettes to mix up small batches of liquid Sculpey.

4. Rubber gloves – I roll all my beads one last time with rubber gloves to get rid of any finger prints, seriously cuts down on the sanding.

5. Handmade bead mandrels – I cut 6″ lengths of thick gauge copper wire as larger bead mandrels.

5. Wet-dry sandpaper and my blue jeans – I give my beads a quick once over with the sand paper and buff them on my jeans.

6. Cardstock -it’s my work surface of choice.

7. Acrylic rod – great for shaping canes and rolling out thicker slices of clay.

8. Two little mirrors – used for making lentils and flattening beads.

That’s it, my whole beadmaking studio in a nutshell. What tool can’t you live without?

Comments

  2. I have to add:

    – sharp blades, my old (no motor, no name brand) pasta machine and stacks of old white tiles from a past home reno project

    And enough little plastic containers that I support that whole industry I am sure.

  3. Rubber tipped Clay Shaper and stylus (cheap art supply item) for help in sculpting.

    Bamboo skewers for poking holes in beads, they make a slightly larger hole than a ceramics needle tool. Found in the grocery store, they are a couple bucks for a lifetime supply.

    Parchment paper (grocery store) for baking flat polymer pieces on. I use it on a cookie sheet and the paper keeps the bottom of the polymer from taking on the shine of the cookie sheet. Obviously cardstock is stiffer, but the parchment paper can cover an entire cookie sheet if you have larger pieces to bake.

    Boy it’s amazing how little you can get by with to make polymer art. I love the fact that no expensive items are needed. I did splurge on a Foredom bench lathe to polish my beads, and I absolutely love it.

    I’m going to blog about my favorite texture tools in a day or two on my beadbunny.blogspot.com blog.

    Thanks for asking, Heather, I always enjoy your blog entries.

  4. I don’t do enough PC to say, but the gloves idea might work with my metal clay. I’m bad about the finger prints! I guess that shows it’s hand-made 😉

Have you read?

Etsy Feature – Bread Pan Pottery Template

There’s something heartwarming about baking bread. It’s slow, it’s soulful, and it makes the whole house smell like comfort. Now imagine pairing that feeling with pottery—baking a loaf in a pan that you built with your own two hands. That’s exactly what this Bread Pan Pottery Template offers: the chance to merge two timeless crafts into one.

What This Template Is All About

This listing gives you a printable slab-building template that guides you through creating your very own bread pan. Instead of trying to eyeball measurements or guess at proportions, the template lays everything out neatly so you can focus on the fun part—building, decorating, and glazing.

And the best part? It’s reusable. Print it once and you’ll have a tool you can return to again and again, whether you’re making a whole set of pans for your own kitchen or whipping up handmade gifts for family and friends.

Why This Template Is Brilliant

  • Form Meets Function: You’re not just making something pretty—you’re making something you’ll actually use. A bread pan that can hold up in the oven is a game-changer. 
  • Creative Freedom: Once the structure is done, the design is all yours. Carve, stamp, texture, glaze—this is where your style shines. 
  • Practical Studio Tool: Perfect for beginners who want structure and for seasoned potters looking for a quick and reliable form. 
  • Gift Potential: Can you imagine gifting a handmade bread pan with a fresh loaf inside? Or maybe adding a recipe card tied with twine? Utterly charming. 

Inspiration for Your Bread Pan

  • Rustic Farmhouse: Use speckled clay, add carved lines or stamps, and glaze in warm neutrals. Think cozy cottage kitchen. 
  • Modern Minimalist: Stick to smooth surfaces and glaze in soft greys, blacks, or whites for a sleek look. 
  • Textured & Patterned: Roll lace, leaves, or textured mats into the clay before forming for a one-of-a-kind surface design. 
  • Showstopper Glazes: A layered glaze (like the gorgeous teal-and-brown example in the photo) adds depth and personality. 

How You Might Use It Beyond Bread

While bread is the obvious star here, this template is versatile. These pans can double as serving dishes, casserole trays, or even decorative centerpieces. They’re sturdy, practical, and beautiful enough to live on your table rather than hiding in a cupboard.

And if you’re into markets or selling your pottery, functional bakeware is always a crowd-pleaser. Customers love pieces they can use daily, especially when they carry that handmade touch.

Why Potters Will Fall in Love with This Template

At the end of the day, pottery is about connection—between you, the clay, and the person who’ll eventually hold or use the piece. This bread pan template makes that process easier, faster, and more enjoyable. It gives you the framework while still leaving room for creativity.

It’s approachable for beginners, yet flexible enough for advanced potters to customize. And honestly? There’s just something so grounding about pulling a loaf of bread from a pan you shaped yourself. It ties together two crafts that have nourished people for centuries.

You can grab the template here: Bread Pan Pottery Template on Etsy.

This article is part of my Etsy Feature series, where I highlight clay tools and templates that make pottery more fun, approachable, and inspiring. And truly—this bread pan template is one of those rare gems that gives you both beauty and function.