Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Shopping! For clayers

by

This week I faced my love-hate: I had to shop for clay. I love clay. I hate shopping. Well, sometimes I like it but from online, never as fun and there’s no crafty place within a 150 miles. Seriously, my nearest Michaels is that far away.

Still, I loaded up on goodies. I even broke down and ordered a replacement pasta machine and motor for my Atlas 150 which is nearing The End.

My question to all you polymer clay loving folks… who do you love to shop with? Who’s got the best deals, the selection you like best, the nicest service? What’s cool and new to buy in the clay world (on top of being in the boonies, I’m also in Canada where things don’t get released nearly as often as in the US) that you’re keen to pick up?

I’m interested in making this a regular thing – reviewing products and shops we’ve all used and loved. So… send me your links to all things clay supply, clay book, clay store, clay tools.

Comments

  1. Polymerclayexpress is my favorite at polymerclayexplress.com. I can get just about everything all polyfrom products, cernit, kato and fim, soft and classic. Premo is 2/bar regulary and all their clay is fresh, so fresh it often needs to leached a little but that is better that hard and crumbly from micheals.

    They are also the few places that sell Zinc yellow and colbalt.

  2. I shop locally at Munro’s craft store. They do sell online but I love the atmosphere in the store. I’m satisfied with their selection of clay and accessories and the staff is knowledgeable.

  3. It could be worse…you could be stationed on an island where there are NO craft stores at all (that’s me), so pretty much, whoever I can actually get to ship things here online is my only choice. I will be checking out this polymerclayexpress.com and crossing my fingers they will ship here (and it wont cost me my left leg)

  4. I do shop online at Munro’s – can’t beat the price easily when you’re buying in the quantities I use – and I like polymerclayexpress for small stacks of goodies + using my PayPal.

    Evirr – if you need a good chunk of stuff, try Munrocrafts. Polymerclayexpress is great if you need a moderate amount.

    And you’re right – I do get the chance to go hit a craft store every two months or so when I go to the city.

  5. I’m new here in Canada and just started the polymer clay craft. I love Michaels, unfortunately it’s too far from where I live. Thanks for posting this. I learned where to get supplies.

  6. Yeah, when I lived in Calgary I could hit the Michaels (or it’s predecessors) but now in rural Saskatchewan, I have issues. Mostly, I order from Munro’s and Polymerclayexpress

Have you read?

DIY Doily Pinch Bowl Set with Matching Platter

There’s something so satisfying about creating a whole handmade set that feels like it belongs together. After experimenting with my grandmother’s doilies on flat slabs of clay, I wanted to see how they would look when pressed onto a curved form. That’s how this set of three doily pinch bowls was born—each one textured on the outside with lace, glazed in soft tones, and displayed together on a matching pink speckled doily platter.

It’s a beautiful way to combine sentimental textiles with modern pottery design. The finished set makes a charming serving arrangement for nibbles, dips, or trinkets, and it doubles as a decorative centerpiece when not in use.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White pottery clay (stoneware or porcelain) 
  • Rolling pin 
  • Crochet doily (preferably a smaller one for consistent texture) 
  • Sponge and water 
  • Small bowls or your hands (to form the pinch bowls) 
  • Knife or clay cutter 
  • Plastic wrap 
  • Kiln access (or community pottery studio) 
  • White glaze 
  • Pink speckled glaze (or white glaze with pink oxide) 

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Prepare the Clay

Cut your clay into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball about the size of a small orange.

Step 2: Form the Pinch Bowls

Using your thumbs, gently press into the center of each clay ball and pinch outward, rotating as you go, until you form small bowl shapes. Keep the walls fairly even, but don’t worry about perfection—pinch bowls are meant to have a rustic, organic charm.

Step 3: Press the Doily Texture

Drape a crochet doily around the outside of each bowl. Gently press it into the surface with your fingers or a rolling pin. Carefully peel it back to reveal the lace impression. Each bowl will carry the delicate detail of the doily, almost like a frozen textile pattern.

Step 4: Refine the Shape

Smooth the rims with a damp sponge, rounding off any sharp edges. Leave the outside textured, but clean up the insides of the bowls so they’re smooth for glazing.

Step 5: Dry and Fire

Let the bowls dry slowly until bone dry. Bisque fire them with the platter if you’re making the full set together.

Step 6: Glaze and Finish

For a cohesive look, glaze the pinch bowls in soft white or cream, allowing the doily texture to stand out. Place them on the matching pink speckled doily platter (created using the earlier technique) for a complete serving set.

Styling Ideas

  • Serving Set: Use the three bowls for nuts, olives, and dips when entertaining. 
  • Jewelry Dishes: Perfect for holding rings, bracelets, and earrings on your dresser. 
  • Decorative Accent: Place them on the platter as a centerpiece with seasonal décor inside (dried flowers, crystals, or potpourri). 
  • Gift Idea: Wrap the full set as a handmade, one-of-a-kind present for weddings or housewarmings. 

Why I Love This Project

These bowls carry a story. The lace impressions remind me of my grandmother’s hand-crocheted doilies, yet the final design feels fresh and modern. Displayed together on the platter, they become more than functional—they’re a handmade heirloom set that blends memory with everyday beauty.