Nearly all card making enthusiasts can say that they have experimented with a variety of crafting mediums. Very few however would have considered incorporating polymer clay into their card making ideas.

After discussing the subject with other card makers I came to the conclusion and would even go so far as to say that most were put off by the fact that polymer clay had been used for embellishing the card even though they still loved the design. However I do believe that crafters would be happier to incorporate clay into their handmade card designs once they were more familiar with the concept.

Polymer clay is a very versatile material primarily used for modelling. It is generally sold in blocks of solid colours which harden when baked in the oven. The most common brands of polymer clay used for card making is Fimo and Sculpey.

Fimo comes in two different forms, Fimo soft and Fimo classic. Although both forms work well together I would recommend using Fimo soft if you are a beginner.

Polymer clay works best once it has softened up. You can do this by kneading the clay until it becomes soft and easy to mould. This process also helps to distribute the properties of the clay.

It is important when using polymer clay for your card making ideas that you do not use excessive amounts, as whilst it is not a heavy material you may find that using a huge amount on a single card may cause it to topple over or bend. It is also worth remembering that sometimes the most stylish designs are often the most simplistic.

Getting Started

Before you begin creating and designing a card idea from polymer clay here are a few points that are worth considering.

•    Ensure that your work surface and area as well as your hands are clean, baby wipes and kitchen towels are also handy to have around to keep things clean.

•    When it comes to baking the clay, make sure the baking tray surface is flat and non stick.

•    Use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is at the correct temperature.

Step 1- Roll out your white Fimo using a rolling pin

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