This is an easy tutorial and a great entry-level polymer clay craft for the beginner. Basically, anyone can do it and doesn’t have to be skilled to handle clay. Even kids can do it but they will need an adult’s help when baking/curing the polymer in an oven.
[Update: Recently, I have found out that there is no-bake lightweight polymer clay in the market to substitute this oven-cured polymer clay. You just need to leave the finished charm to dry in room temperature for at least 24 hours]
While shopping for craft materials a few weeks ago, I accidentally stumbled upon some basic color clays. As I shop around, I found some mini cookies cutters which are so cute that I can’t leave without buying them.
What came straight to my mind was that I can make some easy keychain charm for my daughter. The keychain charm is for her water tumbler so that she can differentiate it if someone brought the same water tumbler to school.
Not only this polymer clay bear keychain charm, but I also made 4 other things with the polymer clay too.
Hope you like my ideas on these Easy Polymer Clay Charm craft.
WHAT’S NEXT:
- Start crafting and share your completed handmade on Facebook and/or Instagram. Remember to tag us, @craftpassion, so that we are able to see them.
- Pin it to Pinterest for a future To-Do List.
- Share with your DIY groups for a craft-along event.
- Browse more craft ideas to make, particularly on clay crafts.
Easy Polymer Clay Charm
Materials:
1. Polymer Clay (brown color)
2. Rhinestone (flat base or those used for iron-on or manicure)
3. Keychain ring or other jewelry accessories
Tools:
1. Oven [please do not use the same oven for food after it has been used for curing polymer clay]
2. Cookies cutter (Bear shaped)
3. Tweezers
4. Rod (ball pen ink cartridge)
5. Thick hard-cover book or similar
6. Metal sheet or baking tray.
Prepare and gather the materials & tools as per the above list.
I used brown color polymer clay bought from a Japanese dollar store (Daiso).
Prepare your polymer clay. The clay is hard and dry initially when you take out from the packaging.
When trying to bend or fold the clay, it will become chappy and falling into smaller pieces.
Hold the clay in your hand to warm it up a moment to soften it.
Then, used your fingers to knead it.
You will find that it is difficult to knead initially as the clay keeps on cracking and falling apart. Later when it gets soften, it will be easier.
[Tip: You can also use AMACO Pasta Machine or its equivalent to knead clay, please don’t use it to make pasta after using it for clay. Read manufacturer instruction if it is your first time using this machine.
A softened and kneaded clay. Not quite ready yet as you can still see some chappy holes on the right. Continue to knead a little longer.
Roll the clay into a ball, round and smooth.
Use a hard-cover book or something similar to press the clay ball evenly. Flatten it to about 3/8″ thick.
Or, you can use the pasta machine if they can produce this thickness.
Position cookies cutter on the clay, press to cut it out.
If your clay is big enough, you can do 2 bears together. Otherwise, repeat the kneading, rolling and pressing on the balance clay.
Use a hollow rod to punch a hole for the keychain ring.
I used the flat end of a used ball pen ink cartridge.
Position the rhinestones on the bear with tweezers. I used 15 rhinestones, you can decide how many to use depending on your bear size and rhinestone size.
Use the rod to press the rhinestones down so that they sink into the clay.
After all the rhinestones are pressed, set it aside and wait for baking.
Preheat your oven to 210 F or follow the instruction comes with the polymer clay.
Place all your polymer clay crafts onto a metal sheet or baking tray.
Cure for 30 minutes or as per instruction on the packing.
After it is baked and cured, take out from the oven and let it cool to room temperature.
Install a keychain ring or other jewelry accessories.
~ Done ~
Tamara Weed
Saturday 16th of February 2019
hi, i have tried the no bake clay the air dry one that is currently out its great but takes several days to completely dry very fun to create with, great for christmas ornaments and things along that nature but i found it has a big downfall dont let it get wet it will turn back to clay again or just turn mushy , but other then that its a fun clay.
Rose
Monday 9th of September 2013
If you are going to use your regular oven, you should use a baking bag or something to contain the poison residual that forms from this clay. It is not safe to bake in an oven used for cooking food.
Mann
Thursday 5th of September 2013
Do you use special oven for polymer clay or just a normal oven?
Craft Passion
Thursday 5th of September 2013
I just used a normal oven, toaster oven should work too.
Craft Passion
Friday 30th of August 2013
You can use the contact us form at the top of your screen, or click here.
Rara
Thursday 29th of August 2013
i would like to ask. where did u by all the craft thing in Malaysia. i hope u can reply this. Thank you :)
John modani
Monday 24th of November 2014
you can try malaysiaclayart.com/shop/
Craft Passion
Friday 30th of August 2013
I don't get all my supplies from Malaysia, but there are a few shops in Malaysia that sell a good coverage of craft supplies. PM me via contact form if you want to be more specific :)