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.

Next Polymer Clay Idea:

Have you read?

Etsy Feature – City Street Pottery Roller with Handle

There’s something magical about pottery tools that tell a story, and this City Street Pottery Roller does just that. Instead of a simple repeating texture, this roller creates a charming row of houses, windows, and rooftops—instantly transforming a slab of clay into a whimsical little street scene.

What It Is

This Etsy listing features a large wooden roller with a sturdy handle, designed to press detailed cityscape patterns into clay. The impression is wide enough to create a continuous border, so you can roll across a slab and build an entire “town” in just a few passes.

It works beautifully on:

  • Pottery clay and ceramic slabs. 
  • Polymer clay for smaller-scale projects. 
  • Fondant and cookie dough for bakers who love edible art. 

Why It’s Special

  • Detailed & Unique: Each building has character, with intricate windows, doors, and trees in between. 
  • Storytelling Through Clay: Adds instant personality to mugs, trays, or tiles. 
  • Easy to Use: The handle gives you good pressure and control, so your impressions stay crisp. 
  • Versatile Applications: Perfect for both functional pottery and decorative art. 

Inspiration Ideas

  • Roll across a slab to make storybook-inspired trays or platters. 
  • Use as a border on mugs or vases for a cozy, handmade vibe. 
  • Cut sections into tiles to create a miniature clay city. 
  • Highlight the details with underglaze washes or oxide stains so the windows and rooftops pop. 

Why Makers Will Love It

Tools like this City Street Roller encourage playfulness in the studio. Instead of just adding texture, you’re adding narrative—each impression looks like a scene from a quaint European street. It’s perfect for potters who want their work to feel warm, nostalgic, and one-of-a-kind.

You can find it here: City Street Pottery Roller with Handle on Etsy.

This post is part of my Etsy Feature series, where I highlight tools and treasures that spark creativity for clay and pottery lovers. And honestly? This roller might just be the most charming one yet—it makes every project feel like it belongs in a little handmade village.