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Eugena's Polymer Clay Glossary
The glossary below summarizes the terms most frequently used among polymer clay artists. I hope you will find it helpful. Please reserve this glossary for personal use only.If the text is underlined, you can click on it to see example pictures and pages with additional information. The terms shown in bold italic font are defined in this Glossary and can be found in alphabetical order.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Air-Dry Clay – synthetic clay-like substance. It is NOT the same material as regular Polymer Clay. Some (but not all) polymer clay techniques may be used for air-dry clay, but the main difference is that air-dry clay shall be allowed to dry, and it shall not be baked. Lots of new techniques specific to air-dry clay were developed recently.
Antique – originally, something made in an early period and valuable. Antique pieces usually have some sort of Patina on them, which was formed over the years. This patina may highlight details on a sculptural piece in an interesting way, making it a desirable effect. To antique a new item, artificial patinas are applied. For polymer clay, such patinas may be formed using acrylic paints. Example of antiqued details on a sculpted vase. Also see Patina.
Appliqué – originally, a technique when pieces of fabric are sawn onto a foundation piece of fabric. For polymer clay, it is a technique when pieces of polymer clay are attached to any foundation (including polymer clay itself) or when other materials are applied to polymer clay surface. Examples include application of slices of polymer clay canes, formation of filigree, or metal leaf application. Example of a pendant with metal leaf. Also see Onlay.
Armature – an internal structural support for a sculpture. The armature could be made out of wire, foil, paper, or other materials. It is widely used with polymer clay to add strength to sculpted pieces and to reduce the amount of clay needed for sculpting (big polymer clay beads, for example, may be formed around balls made out of aluminum foil). Armature may be permanent (left in the clay sculpture) or temporary (removed after baking). See also Light Bulb Vessel.
Art Clay Silver (ACS) – a brand of PMC (Precious Metal Clay).
Baking – for polymer clay, it is a process of curing it. Tutorial about baking polymer clay.
Bargello – originally, a type of needlepoint embroidery which consists of upright flat stitches. The name originates from a collection of chairs from Bargello palace in Florence, Italy. For polymer clay, it is a technique imitating the bargello style embroidery.
Bead Roller – tool used to make uniform beads. This tool usually consists of two pieces of half-tube that can be interlocked. A bead is formed by sliding these two pieces against each other. Picture of a bead roller.
Blade – long sharp strip of metal used for cutting. Examples of blades used for polymer clay.
Brayer – a small hand roller, typically used in printmaking techniques to spread ink. They can be made of rubber, sponge, or plastic. It is used by PC artists to smooth out paper on polymer clay (for paper transfer technique). For most applications, it may be substituted with a regular Roller. Alternatively, any long object with smooth surface (such as a ruler) my be used as a brayer.
Buffing – Polishing, putting a high gloss on a surface by repetitive circular motions. For polymer clay, it is usually the next step after Sanding. Polymer clay objects may be buffed using a buffing machine, a modified bench grinder, a Dremel with a buffing wheel attachment, or manually. Buffing is one of the ways to finish a polymer clay object. Tutorial about finishing polymer clay creations.
Cane (caneworking) – originally a technique used by glass blowers. A cane is made from rods of glass melted together to form a design that can be revealed when a cane is sliced. A cane may be reduced, which allows creating intricate designs with many details. Slices of cane are applied to a surface to form a pattern. The same technique is now used for polymer clay. Example of a bracelet decorated with cane slices. Also see Millefiori.
Carving – cutting solid material (wood, stone, cured or raw polymer clay) into a special shape by removing small pieces of it with carving tools. Usually similar or the same tools are used for carving all of these materials.
Cernit – a brand of Polymer Clay available in many colors, including those imitating stones. It is one of the strongest clays, comparable to Kato. Available in specialized stores and on line. Tutorial about different brands of polymer clay.
Clay Gun – Extruder, a tool similar to a syringe. It is usually equipped with series of interchangeable disks that allow forming different designs by pushing polymer clay through them. Picture of a clay gun.
Clay Softener – a special diluent designed to aid in Conditioning of polymer clay that is too stiff to work with. May be substituted with Liquid Clay. Tutorial about conditioning polymer clay.
Cloisonné – an ancient metal-working technique when cloisons (French for cells) are formed using wire soldered onto metal surface and filled with glass enamels. Picture of a faux cloisonné pendant (see more pictures throughout the site). Tutorial for Eugena's faux cloisonné technique.
Conditioning – making polymer clay more pliable by mixing, kneading, or rolling it. Tutorial about conditioning polymer clay.
Covering – for polymer clay, it is a technique involving layering sheets of polymer clay or polymer clay details over an object such as box, egg, vessel, pen, etc. Objects may be covered completely or partially. Example of a glass vase covered with polymer clay.
Crackling – a technique of creating cracks on the surface (generally, on the surface of paint or glass). When working with polymer clay, this effect may be created using acrylic paints or metal leaves. Picture of earrings with crackled metal leaf effect.
Curing – see Baking. Tutorial about baking polymer clay.
Cutters – special forms made out of plastic or metal and similar to cookie cutters; used to cut particular shapes out of a sheet of polymer clay. Picture of polymer clay cutters.
Cutting – see Blades and Cutters.
Extruder – see Clay Gun.
Filigree – originally, a jewelry technique when an intricate design is formed using metal wire. Polymer clay filigree is formed by strings of clay applied in coils or freeform shapes onto polymer clay or other surface to create a textured design.
Fimo (or FIMO) – a brand of Polymer Clay. Available in two types, Fimo Classic and Fimo Soft. Tutorial about brands of polymer clay.
Findings – any jewelry component such as clasps, jump rings, ear-wires, etc.
Finishing – see Acrylic Sealant. Tutorial about finishing techniques for polymer clay.
Food Processor – an automatic kitchen utensil for chopping food. Some polymer clay artists use it to condition stiff clay. Tutorial about conditioning polymer clay.
Future – a brand of acrylic water-based floor finish, often used as Acrylic Sealant for polymer clay. Tutorial about finishing techniques for polymer clay.
Granitex – brand of Polymer Clay imitating the look of stone. This clay contains tiny fibers and comes in various colors. This clay is very similar to Sculpey III in its qualities. Tutorial about different brands of polymer clay.
Inclusion – materials other than polymer clay mixed into polymer clay. Here are some examples of inclusions: fiber, spices, mica powders, glitter, small beads, etc.
Inlays – different objects pressed or fitted into surface. For polymer clay these objects include: beads, stones, shells, pearls, pieces of glass, etc.
Leaching – a process of reducing the amount of plasticizer in clay. See more about leaching in tutorial about conditioning polymer clay.
Light Bulb Vessel – clay vessel formed around a light bulb used as a temporary Armature for clay. Once the clay has been cured, the light bulb is broken and removed, leaving a light bulb vessel.
Liquid Clay – Polymer Clay in a liquid form. Available in different brands (Sculpey, Kato). Used for attaching pieces of raw and/or cured polymer clay, as a glue for findings, as a paper transfer medium, as Clay Softeneretc. Liquid clay has to be baked under similar conditions as regular polymer clay to cure.
Log – a term often used for a cylinder formed out of clay (usually of solid color; multi-colored cylinder is usually referred to as Cane).
Marbling – a technique when two or more colors of clay are partially mixed together to create a marble effect.
Mica Powders – fine powders made of mica particles, pearly in appearance. These powders can be used to create metallic and iridescent effects on the clay. Picture of a pendant decorated with mica powders.
Mica Shift – a technique for metallic and pearl Polymer Clays, when mica powders present in these clays are aligned in different directions forming monochromatic designs with holographic effects.
Millefiori – a technique originally used by glass-makers as early as the 1-st century in Egypt, and further defined in Venetian glass in 19-th century. Millefiori means a thousand flowers. The design is formed using Canes. Picture of three focal beads with millefiori design.
Metallic Clay – polymer clay containing mica particles to give the clay high shine of metal (comes in gold, silver, and copper colors and is available from different manufacturers).
Metallic Leaf – very thin metal foil, comes in gold, silver, copper, and variegated colors. See Crackling.
Metallic Powders – usually, finally ground metal powders with a gum Arabic powder, available from different manufacturers, including Houston Arts. These powders are usually more expensive than Mica Powders. Sometimes, mica powders in metallic colors are referred to as metallic powders.
Mokumé Gané – originally a metal-working technique developed in 17-th century Japan, producing a metal surface with distinctive layered patterns. Mokume gane translates as wood eye metal. Adopted for polymer clay, this technique involves stacking layers of clay, distorting them, and then taking slices off the hills and valleys to reveal the different layers. A variation of this technique requires ripple blade. Metal leaf inclusions may be used to further emphasize layers of polymer clay. Picture of a pendant and earrings made using mokume gane technique.
Mold – a hollow container of a particular shape, into which some soft substance is poured. When this substance becomes hard, it takes the shape of the mold. For polymer clay, both commercially-available and home-made molds can be used. Picture of one-sided push mold.
Monochromatic – in one color (from Greek words mono (one) and chrom (color)). Picture of a monochromatic necklace.
Mosaic – a design formed by many small colored tiles. Both raw and cured polymer clay may be used to make the mosaic tiles. Picture of earrings with mosaic design.
Mould – see Mold.
Natural Clay – a mixture of small (about 2 micron) particles of silicates and other salts, oxides, and hydroxides with variable amounts of structural water. There are about thirty different types of natural clay. Polymer Clay has different chemical composition than that of any natural clay. It resembles natural clay, however, in its properties, namely the ability of being soft and pliable in its raw form and becoming solid after curing.
Needle Tool – a pointed tool used for piercing, texturing, manipulating small pieces of clay, etc. There are commercial needle tools available or you can just make your own by putting a clay handle on a big needle.
Pasta Machine – originally designed for making pasta, the pasta machine is an invaluable clay tool. It consists of two metal rollers which are turned by a handle. It is used for conditioning clay, mixing colors and rolling out thin even sheets. Picture of a pasta machine.
Patina – originally a layer of oxidized metal naturally formed over time on the surface of a metal object (green compound on copper, for example). Artificial patinas are often deliberately added by artists, and are not limited to metal surfaces. See Antique.
PearlEx Powders – brand name for a line of mica powders made by Jacquard. See Mica Powders.
PMC (Precious Metal Clay) – clay-like substance containing metal particles suspended in plasticizers. This is NOT Polymer Clay. PMC has to be fired at high temperatures (above 800F) produced by a kiln or a torch while polymer clay may be cured in a regular oven (requires 275 F). Once fired, PMC object will look like silver or gold (depending on its type).
Polishing – see Buffing.
Polymer Clay – a synthetic material consisting of tiny polyvinyl chloride particles suspended in plasticizers and mixed with various pigments. It is soft and pliable when raw, and becomes hard when cured. Items sculpted out of polymer clay are waterproof and fade-resistant.
Premo – a brand of Polymer Clay. This is a very versatile type of clay, suitable for all polymer clay techniques and comfortable to work with. Tutorial about different brands of polymer clay.
Push Mold – see Mold.
Relief Work – sculptural relief composed of modeled forms that partially protrude from a flat background. A picture of a pendant with relief work.
Ripple Blade – a tool used to create a variation of Mocumé Gané technique. A picture of a ripple blade.
Roller – a tool used to make thin sheets of polymer clay. A picture of a roller. Also see Brayer.
Rope – a long thin cylinder of clay, thinner than a Log. Ropes of clay can be formed by hand or extruded using a Clay Gun.
Sculpey III – brand of Polymer Clay. It is a good clay for beginners and kids due to its softness, although it is too soft for some techniques (such as Millefiori, for example). Other types of Sculpey include Sculpey Original, Sculpey Soft, and Super Sculpey. Tutorial about brands of polymer clay.
Shape Cutters – tools used to obtain uniform shapes out of polymer clay Sheet. There are two main types of shape cutters. There are ones that are similar to cookie cutters and a picture of them can be seen here. The other type is called Shapletes (see below).
Shapelets – cutting templates used to obtain uniform shapes out of polymer clay Sheet.
Sheet – a thin flat piece of clay, obtained using either a Pasta Machine or a Roller.
Skinner Blend – a technique developed by Judith Skinner for creating polymer clay Sheet with smooth gradations of color. Picture of a pendant with Skinner blend. A tutorial for this technique is coming soon.
Texture Plates – plates (made out of rubber or soft plastic) with different textures on them which can be pressed into the clay using a Pasta Machine or a Roller.
Texturing – a process of creating a texture on the surface of polymer clay using Texture Plates, fabric, sand paper, tree bark, and other objects.
TLS (Translucent Liquid Sculpey) – a brand of Liquid Clay.
Transferring – see Image Transfer.
Varnish – see Acrylic Sealant.
Vessel – a container, usually round (such as a vase or a bowl).
Work Surface – any surface on which you work with polymer clay. Examples of good work surfaces include ceramic tile, glass, marble, waxed paper, etc.
A
Acrylic Sealant (or Sealer) – an acrylic-based finish (or varnish) usually applied over cured polymer clay. Acrylic sealants are available in gloss, satin, or matte finish. Most of them (but not all) are water-resistant and/or UV resistant.
Tutorial about finishing techniques for polymer clay.B
Back Filling – a technique when a pattern carved in baked polymer clay is filled with raw clay (and then baked again). Picture of a focal bead made using back filling technique.C
Cameo – is a method of carving or an item of jewelry made using this method. It usually has a relief image raised above a different-colored background. Used for stone carving for centuries, this method is now adapted for polymer clay.D
Diluent – in general, a solvent used to dilute something. In case of polymer clay, this term usually refers to Clay Softener or Liquid Clay.E
Embossing Powders – materials usually used with rubber stamps. Embossing powders melt when heated. They can also be mixed into polymer clay or applied to its surface to create different effects.F
Faux – a French word for false or fake. Examples of artistic imitation of different materials and techniques include faux bone, faux jade, faux amber, faux stained glass, faux cloisonné. Picture of a necklace and earrings set with a faux cloisonné focal parts (see more pictures throughout the site). Tutorial for Eugena's faux cloisonné technique.G
Glow in the Dark Clay – luminescent Polymer Clay that glows in the dark. Available from different manufacturers.H
I
Image Transfer – a process of moving an image from a piece of paper onto polymer clay. The transfer occurs when either the top layer of paper or the color pigments (such as color pencil or printer inks) are shifted from the original image onto the surface of polymer clay.K
Kato – a brand of Polymer Clay. It is one of the strongest clays on the market and my personal preference. Tutorial about different brands of polymer clay.L
Lace Cane – a cane made up of many smaller canes formed by one color of clay surrounded by another. Picture of a pendant with lace cane background.M
Makins Clay – see Air-Dry Clay.N
Natasha Bead – a rectangular bead with abstract mirrored images on each side. These beads are usually made using scrap clay.O
Onlay – the application of a piece of clay (a Cane slice, for example) onto the base, which can be clay, glass, shell, ceramic, resin, etc. Also see Applique.P
Paper Clay – see Air-Dry Clay.Q
Quilt Cane – a cane with a quilt pattern.R
Reduce – make a cane smaller by squeezing, choking, rolling or pounding it. The goal of reducing a cane is to obtain a smaller version of the same pattern running through it with little or no distortion.S
Sanding – a process of making the surface of polymer clay smoother by rubbing it with sand paper. To learn more about sanding polymer clay objects, refer to the tutorial about finishing techniques for polymer clay.T
Terracotta – an object of reddish-brown color sculpted out of Natural Clay and fired to make it hard.U
V
Varathane – a brand of acrylic water-based floor finish, often used as Acrylic Sealant for polymer clay. Tutorial about finishing techniques for polymer clay.W
Wet Sand – a process of Sanding polymer clay with wet sandpaper.X
X-acto-knife – a tool with sharp disposable blade used for carving and cutting. Picture of an X-acto-knife.
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