Unique artistic creations start from the best clay bodies. Clay is manipulated and processed to suit certain crafting methods. The clay bodies are specially developed for use in both high and low fire ceramic pieces. Choosing clay pastes with the right composition and quality guarantees the best textures and colors.
Product safety is an important consideration when choosing clay bodies. To ensure maximum classroom and studio safety for students of all ages, clay bodies must be non-toxic and must not contain New York State talc. Consistent, quality clay bodies stay moist and offer the most predictable range of shrinkage, absorption and firing for specific projects. Aging is also part of the process to improve the plasticity and workability of clay bodies. To ensure that the clay bodies you use are safe and meet today’s standards, look for the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) Seal of Approved Product.
The art of clay pottery begins with a confident clay body, skillful hands, and a little creative energy. People of all ages enjoy learning about the pottery process. Young people can work with various types of clay to become familiar with sculpture. Versatile mediums work best for all beginners because they are easier to use and can be used to make a variety of creations.
One of the most versatile mediums available to modern ceramic artists is polymer clay. To get started, all you need is a polymer clay, a smooth work surface like Formica or glass, shaping tools, a rolling pin, and a polymer clay oven for baking. Some artists use a toaster oven, home oven, or convection oven when they start using polymer clay. For safety reasons, it is recommended that all potters use a special kiln for polymer clay.
Polymer clay is worked and conditioned by hand to make it flexible enough to be molded into different designs. Polymer clay creations must be baked in a dedicated oven and the room must have plenty of ventilation. It usually takes around 20 minutes to bake and harden polymer clay creations.
Other tools are used to make dynamic and unique polymer clay creations including hardwood tools which are available in a variety of shapes, polished hardwood tools are used to shape wet clay during modeling to design works unique art. The needle tool is a durable needle attached to a hardwood handle to create swirls or punch holes in polymer clay to make jewelry beads and other unusual creations. Roller texture tools are used to make flat or spiky impressions in polymer clay. Craft polymer and clay fit on a countertop and reach a maximum temperature of 300 degrees for baking polymer clays and other craft products in small spaces like schools, studios, and homes.
