Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Polymer Clay Hacks

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The other day I dragged my family to the Maker Faire and saw all the cool DIY stuff folks are getting up to. In that extended tribe of creative, technical types tips and hints are called hacks. In that spirit, here’s a few of my favourite clay ones:

  • A little rubbing alcohol will soften your clay until it evaporates. Great for surface smoothing of projects.
  • If you need the clay to be a little softer but don’t have purpose made clay softner, a little mineral oil will do the trick. Just mix well and use sparingly.
  • Essential oils or extracts will also scent your clay for a while. Mix into your clay ahead of baking for cute scented mini foods or add a few drops of essential oils after you bake it.
  • After years of claying, I still bake on folded copy paper. It keeps things from rolling as much or getting flat bottoms. Paper is safe in the oven at clay temperatures.
  • And even with jars and boxes of tools my favourite all purpose tool for clay remains my toothpicks and knitting needles bought from the dollar store or the thrift shop.
  • I am a terrible slob but there are three things I am neat about in the studio because the consequences are messy or frustrating: the lids on my powders go right back on, the washers go right back on my tumbler tops and I set my pasta machine back to the thickest setting every time.
  • More than any other medium I’ve worked with, polymer clay results seems to vary by user, room temperature, tools… learn your best range but always add a few extra beads, canes, bits of clay because something wrecks. Often.
  • While you should know how to do tasks manually, as soon as you realize you’ll be claying for a while and doing that task over and over… get the correct tool: a pasta machine (or a motorized one even!), a tumbler, clay in pound blocks are just a few examples.
  • If you have a limited polymer clay budget, practice before using expensive materials. You can cut plain clay ahead of cutting expensive canes. You can do your first blends to colours that mix to make usable colours – white to anything for example.

The flowers above are lopsided flower cane slices shaped with an old paintbrush handle… one of my favourite rounded end tools.

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.