Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Polymer Clay Like New

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If you do any amount of polymer clay… you end up with oodles of scrap clay. And scrap clay is useful for a ton of projects. Sometimes, though, you just want more clay to use and that’s what spurred my previous week’s project in my studio: to sort and turn my scrap clay stash back into good sheets of clay.

This project was a lot of grunt work for my studio assistant and I. You could do a smaller version of this by just picking a few blues and doing those, for example.

We’ve already turned a lot of that pile of fabulous new clay back into projects (and more scraps). Many of the colours are fabulous tones of favourite clay colours – there’s a whole range of blue-greens in the photo because I use a lot of turquoise and teal in my work – and it’s so useful to have these. A con is that almost all of the colours end up with a little sparkle or glitter since piles of mica containing clay get mixed into clay without those.

You can see other times I’ve blogged about scrap clay storage and sorting here and here.

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Etsy Feature – Pottery Travel Mug Template Set (3 Pieces)

There’s something so satisfying about a handmade travel mug. It’s practical, stylish, and makes your daily coffee or tea ritual feel that little bit more special. With this set of 3 pottery travel mug templates, you can create your own ceramic mugs that not only look professional but also make thoughtful, personal gifts.

What’s Included

This set comes with three different templates for slab-building your own travel mugs. Each template has slightly different proportions, giving you variety in size and style. That way you can experiment until you find the perfect fit for your hand—or make a matching set for family and friends.

Why These Templates Are Worth It

  • Reusable & Reliable: Print and trace them as many times as you want.

  • Practical Design: The angled opening and lid slot make them comfortable and functional.

  • Perfect for Beginners: Templates take the guesswork out of hand-building.

  • Gift-Worthy: A handmade travel mug is a unique, eco-friendly present that anyone would appreciate.

Inspiration for Makers

  • Try a speckled clay body with a matte glaze for a modern, minimalist vibe.

  • Add underglaze designs or decals for a personalized look.

  • Make a full set of mugs in coordinating colors—perfect for a couple or family gift.

  • Pair your finished mugs with a bag of specialty coffee or tea for a beautiful handmade gift set.

Why You’ll Love It

Handmade pottery mugs have a warmth and character that no store-bought cup can compete with. Using these templates makes the process approachable, while still leaving plenty of room for your creativity to shine. And honestly? Everyone I know could use a good travel mug—so why not make one that feels personal and one-of-a-kind?

You can grab the set here: Travel Mugs Set Templates (3 Pieces) on Etsy.

This post is part of my Etsy Feature series, where I share clay tools and templates that make creating both functional and decorative pottery easier and more fun. And if you’re looking for a project that balances everyday use with handmade charm, these travel mugs might be your next go-to.