Top 5 Polymer Clay Hacks with Christi Friesen

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Christi Friesen is well-known for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with polymer clay. In Jewelry Artist podcast episode 25, Christi and I talk (and laugh – a lot!) about different ways to change the appearance of polymer clay. She uses a lot of inclusions to add texture and what I would call “grounding” to the medium. These techniques will enhance your clay beads, pendants, sculptures, or whatever you decide to create.

ABOVE: Golden Growth Pendant by Christi Friesen. All images courtesy of ChristiFriesen.com.

Tune-in to Christi Friesen: Be Creative, Be Yourself for Christi’s thoughts about being inspired by the world around you, teaching online, giving yourself permission to make imperfect art, and more. Christi even shares her method for making a delicious cocktail featuring dragonfruit. Join us for a fun, colorful conversation recorded from Christi’s home in Hawaii.

Read on for a few of Christi’s favorite clay hacks.

5 Polymer Clay Hacks You Need to Know

1. Use mosaic techniques to give life to your polymer clay creations.

Christi loves making mosaics out of polymer clay, epoxy clay, bits of tile, and natural materials or beads. Whether you create mosaic backgrounds or use mosaic techniques on your focal elements, mosaic adds depth and interest to your clay artwork.

2. Add a luxurious look to your polymer clay projects with 24k gold leaf.

Traditionally used to gild picture frames and paintings, gold leaf is sold in very thin sheets and is made of real gold. You can press it onto unbaked clay and it will adhere to the clay as it bakes. For a crackled effect, place the gold leaf on unbaked polymer clay and run it through your pasta machine. The clay stretches but the leaf doesn’t, which creates the crackled effect.

3. Use beads and natural materials to give polymer clay a realistic look.

Bake shells and wood in the oven briefly before using them in your creations to remove any moisture. These natural elements play well with polymer clay and give your creations a whole new dimension. Of course, you can also use clay to mimic natural materials such as shells. Use the real shell as a mold for making multiples from polymer clay.

4. Layer resin onto baked polymer clay.

In addition to creating transparent windows like the one in this tide pool vignette, you can use it to fill bezels and frames for jewelry. Be sure to bake your polymer clay before combining it with resin. For example, think about creating a miniature clay mosaic inside a bezel, baking it, then encasing it in resin. Some types of resin make it easy to create domed cabochons.

5. Use epoxy clay in combination with polymer clay.

Epoxy clay, such as Apoxie Sculpt, makes a great base for baked polymer clay pieces because its curing time is long enough to allow for arranging your baked clay pieces on it. This makes it possible to create layered effects or mosaic assemblages. Visit @realchristifriesen on Instagram to see more examples of Christi’s favorite mosaics.

More Inspiration with Christi

For more instruction and tips, be sure to check out Christi’s online workshops. Christi teaches you how to make 10 different beads and charms, polymer clay design basics, mixed media, and creating surface effects for an aged look. You’ll love spending time with Christi as much as I did – she’s an engaging teacher with all the expertise you need. And, be sure to take a listen to our fun conversation on Jewelry Artist podcast.

Happy beading,
Katie Hacker, Editor of Beadwork and host of Jewelry Artist podcast