Polymer Clay for Beginners: Getting Started | How to Condition & Mix Clay | Demo, Advice & Tips

This comprehensive video is aimed at beginners to polymer clay, who want to get stuck into this craft but don't know where to start.
I go through the different brands of clay and what the differences between them are, what tools you need to start, how to mix clay, how to condition clay, and I also cover the main problems people face when using polymer clay.
I have a list at the beginning of the video so you can view all of the sections and their start times. The last topic is about baking your clay creations and advice about how to get the best results.
What is polymer clay anyway? It's a man-made clay that is essentially a plastic (being mainly PVC), that hardens in an oven. It is a modelling material and can be polished to a shiny finish once baked. It allows people to sculpt plastic-like products at home without specialist equipment like kilns, and is extremely versatile.
I really hope you find my video helpful, and thanks very much for watching!
00:00 Intro
00:30 Tools & Materials
05:35 How to Condition the Clay
12:40 Tip for Hand Rolling the Clay
14:40 Different Brands of Clay
22:15 Storing Clay
24:00 Keeping Your Workspace Clean
27:20 Clay Too Soft?
29:00 Clay too Firm?
29:25 How to Mix Clay
31:30 Liquid Clay & Its Uses
33:25 Preventing Fingerprints
36:00 Baking the Clay
_________________________________________________________
If you would like to browse craft products that I use in my videos or that I otherwise recommend, please take a look at my Amazon recommendations page:
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/rokoleediy
Note that this page contains affiliate links so I receive a small commission on any sales made through this page, thank you :)
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ko-fi.com/G2G89EXL
Any support is hugely appreciated and helps me to cover websites fees, material costs and other expenses related to creating videos. Thanks very much!

[@chrissaalexion8232]

straighforward, no stupid music, no nonsense, no family pets!!! really informative. thank you

[@RokoleeDIY]

Hehe thanks! :D

[@rebeccahayes1597]

Hi, my name Rebecca Hayes

[@RNbeatz15]

Yes

[@MoonshineBeauty]

+10000

[@Anna-hk1xw]

00:30 Tools & Materials 05:35 How to Condition the Clay 12:40 Tip for Hand Rolling the Clay 14:40 Different Brands of Clay 22:15 Storing Clay 24:00 Keeping Your Workspace Clean 27:20 Clay Too Soft? 29:00 Clay too Firm? 29:25 How to Mix Clay 31:30 Liquid Clay & Its Uses 33:25 Preventing Fingerprints 36:00 Baking the Clay SUPER INFORMATIVE VIDEO! Wanted to make a table of contents for myself and others because I'm sure I'll be coming back here for reference!

[@maxineleibowitz5367]

Thank you for the time break down. I'm going to save this video as I'm going to keep coming back.

[@ElizabethP505]

Very helpful for this great video! Thanks!

[@wonderwend1]

Thank you SO much for the time stamps

[@BoxerBXR122]

And 40:46 Burning issues And 41:27 Shaping clay whilst baking

[@dasomiibrahim9124]

Thank you

[@mindymorales7273]

This is the best polymer clay beginner video I have found on KZbin, even though it's nearly 3 years old. Informative, well paced. Great job! Thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks very much :D

[@simplyrenei]

i totally agree

[@Moonlitcorner]

Agreed lol I was like oh guess I can’t use the old wooden rolling pin. Makes sense lol

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

Yes! I love it too. It encouraged me to start my own sculpting for beginners too. I am inspired by these!

[@tocabanana1637]

I am going to be working on this

[@appleoneill5135]

6 years later but still brilliant and relevant. Thank you so much for all these useful tips xx

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thank you :D

[@sycamoreshadestudios6562]

Thx so much for so much helpful information - direct and to the point

[@creativojavier]

Wow, this is the ultimate polymer clay guide for beginners. Thanks a lot!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching :)

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

Have you created any?

[@geaninacaceres9669]

Thanks for this video! So many helpful tips and explanations. Your voice, speed and cadence are great for explaining.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks very much :D

[@verasouza9344]

This is the most accurate and complete video I’ve seen on the subject! Congratulations

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks very much :D

[@mindakahn9964]

Extremely comprehensive tutorial. Thank you. I think I will continue to buy from the pro’s at this art.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks very much :D

[@joannasherrod985]

I absolutely loved ur video. Very informative. Ur notes helped me when I was ready to begin

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :D I'm glad it was useful to you

[@llll1234100]

This is just the video I was looking for, thank you so much!! I'm so excited to begin sculpting, and youtube has been a great teacher. I appreciate the length too, it leaves no gaps of knowledge and makes the process less daunting. I love your tutorials, I'm a new subscriber!😊

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks very much!

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

I love how detailed they get.

[@tricia1234gm]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this very informative video. I am brand new to using clay and this video helped me enormously. Thank you :)

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks :D I'm so glad it helped.

[@michellecramp6623]

The most easy to follow and comprehensive video for beginners I have found. Thank you so much.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're very welcome!

[@Bethechange86]

Great video. Perfect for beginners like myself. It was straight to the point and super easy to understand. You spoke clearly and and at a nice speed. 👍 even though it was long it was informative and engaging. Well done and thanks for sharing.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks so much :D

[@CupcakeScares]

I saved the video so I can watch it again when I need to remember something! Amazing video!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks very much!

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

It’s informational!

[@beepboop9672]

Thanks for such a comprehensive guide! I’ve started crafting with clay while I’m stuck at home and it’s really fun.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks for watching and happy crafting!

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

Perfect crafting activity during covid!

[@batmanfan20101]

Great video! Thanks for all the detail and images. It helped me make sense of everything 😊👍

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're very welcome! Glad it helped :D

[@RiseLeon_Turtle]

Thank you! Im glad to have this when learning something cool. I reallt appreciate this while im looking for tourorials for my school project!

[@budgiebirds334]

Another great video with super helpful tips, thank you! Amazing, I can’t wait to try these

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks very much :) Happy crafting!

[@Angel283]

BEST comprehensive video on polymer clay I've seen yet, and I've seen quite a few!!!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw, thanks! :D

[@firecat2382]

LOVE that you gave the right way to cook clay, so many people just say to put it in the oven follow the package. Thank you.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are very welcome :) Thanks for watching!

[@chelesev]

Thank you for all the great knowledge for beginners. I've added some new items to my list before I take the plunge.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome :) Happy crafting!

[@rongablue]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you very much. Have a safe and happy Christmas.🎄

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you! You too!

[@johnskinner4555]

Excellent, thank you for such a clear video!! Perfect for me as a complete newbie!

[@RokoleeDIY]

I'm glad it was useful :) Thanks!

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

It helps me too!

[@inhershoesministries8887]

Great Video! Have ordered my clay and tools! Can’t wait to start creating !

[@RokoleeDIY]

Yay! Happy crafting :)

[@ltgal7612]

Thank you, thank you so much for this wonderful video tutorial, very informative, easy to listen to. We are so inspired and can't wait to get started!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome! I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

Have you created any pieces yet?

[@dinaelsherbiny1727]

Awesome so much precise straight to the point soft and clear with no background music just perfect and extremely useful

[@RokoleeDIY]

So glad you liked it :) Thanks for watching!

[@clevernamehere1]

Thank you so, so much for such a comprehensive and thorough video, this is probably the most helpful video I’ve ever seen for any topic ever in the crafting sphere!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Oh wow, thanks so much! Glad you found it useful :D

[@catherineh8606]

Thank you for the info! Very informative and well organized!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks very much!

[@lindaw505]

Great information - many thanks for taking the time to make this video :)

[@RokoleeDIY]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching :)

[@jacoville]

Thanks very much for such a clear and informative instruction video! You deserve so much more views!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aww thanks very much...I'm glad you found it useful :)

[@simplyrenei]

indeed!

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

Have you created any polymer clay sculptures?

[@isabelrosenstrauch2105]

3ex

[@journieolivarez]

@@RokoleeDIY said he had been in here and I told you I didn’t want it I is in my house 🏡 lol 😂 said that her sister had had is so much more lol 😂 lol 😂 I’llu and mywas absolutely thrilled 😁 got a perm

[@mariejoiner6495]

Thank you, best tutorial I have ever watched. I learned so much from this video.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks so much :D

[@judyfekry2543]

This is the best polymer clay teaching tutorial ever learned do much and became an expert after one day of starting

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aww thanks :D Glad you found it useful!

[@laineykearns4506]

This is a great guide, very informative. Thank you so much for creating it.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :D Glad you like it

[@loganbeveridge5207]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. I haven't even started working with polymer clay yet. I'm waiting for a small starter kit to arrive. I feel as if I have learned enough to get me started experimenting. Great video!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :) Happy crafting!

[@Kitthecatgod]

Wow, this is amazing! Thank you so much! This helped so much!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're so welcome!

[@sylvia2525]

Thank you for this easy to follow and understand informative video.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching :)

[@rosaleejensen5386]

Awesome video. Taking up making jewelry again and had never seen such detail. Thank you

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it was helpful :) Happy crafting!

[@theresasmi26]

Oh my God 😅 I love your video on beginner clay it's like a class of its own .. teaching me how to use different Clay's and I was looking for this for a long time.. ty ty I hope u have a second part..

[@RokoleeDIY]

I'm glad it was useful :) I have another video on finishing clay as well.

[@coreenalbertsen1764]

Excellent! Informative and easy to follow along.....easy to understand! Thank you so much!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome!

[@digitalmagic101]

Thank you for keeping this video posted

[@maxineleibowitz5367]

Thank you thank you for this video!!!! I'm a beginner to this craft and I've been making keyrings. I'm so glad for the way you made this video with the different clay types, and everything else.

[@RokoleeDIY]

I'm so glad it helped you :D

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

It’s very helpful! It helped me a lot too.

[@alyzak.8997]

Thank you SO MUCH for such a detailed and lovely explanation! God bless you

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome!

[@Rose24897]

So much handy tips. Thank you for your well planned and thought out video. Thank you. Huge help for a beginner.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome! I'm glad you liked it

[@AndrewSmith-xs1cg]

As someone who is trying to figure out where to start, this was incredibly handy and very appreciated

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you found it useful :D

[@TheHeatherBrooke]

Great info. I learned so much

[@sonjaringo]

This is so incredibly helpful, thank you so much!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks for watching :D

[@asan_ploto]

This is very helpful! I've been wanting to get into polymer clay sculpting for a while and I might even start a small business with it if I really enjoy it! Thank you so much!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! I'm glad it was helpful :D

[@dlgwooddesigns5304]

Just getting into this. Great video. Thank you.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Copolia]

Thank you for this detailed and informative video. Much appreciated.

[@RokoleeDIY]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching :)

[@saniakhan5998]

@@RokoleeDIY b bts

[@dagmaramatyas7405]

Best tutorial ever, super informative, a lot of useful tips, and helped me a lot to start my polymer clay adventure. Thank you for doing that 😊

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks very much :D Enjoy your adventure!

[@lissynegron6095]

Wowww. That was a great video! Thank you so much for this info!! Off to order clay!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you liked it! Happy crafting :)

[@lynnlaverack7334]

Fantastic. Love the clear instructions.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks very much :)

[@20DeeDee08]

Such an informative and helpful video, thank you.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you found it useful :D Thanks for watching

[@Gringainglesa]

Amazing video - so much info !

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you :D

[@swbjackson]

Lovely, a clear and simple guide for beginners. Does what it says on the tin. Thank you very much.

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

I love it!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're very welcome!

[@kam6525]

Great video ~ Thank you for sharing these wonderful tips

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome :D thanks for watching

[@SharoninKentucky]

Wow what a great teacher. My granddaughter wants to make some earrings so I sent her your video. She needs to learn not to buy everything they sell at first. After watching you I know she’ll be a lot happier and informed on how to get started. Thank you

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks very much! Happy crafting to your granddaughter :D

[@anitafetters1816]

Yes! This is something that we all have tools laying around we can use. Was watching a lady yesterday use an old ink pen for several different functions. Really cool. Toothpicks, paper clips, doilies all kinds of ideas without buying expensive tools.

[@benmjt]

What a fantastic video, thanks!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you!

[@littlegempuppets6575]

A great comprehensive video on how to use polymer clay

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :)

[@CynthiaLMBrown]

Thank you so much for this very helpful video!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome!

[@dawnburke9359]

Fantastic, informative video. Thank you so much.!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patriciagraham4593]

All very good advice, thanks so much for going to the trouble of making this video! You have saved me time and money:)

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome! Glad it helped :)

[@rellemade]

So informative. Thank you very much!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're very welcome!

[@susana2794]

Thank you so much!! This was so helpful! 😊👏

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're so welcome!

[@sheilaschoeman8953]

Excellent video. Thank you so much!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're very welcome!

[@nandininahata21]

Thank you so much! The video is very informative...

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are welcome! :D

[@Mashka1000]

Thank you! Thank you for sharing knowledge. You got yourself another subscriber!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Nizi48]

Omg this really helped me this is the best beginner video! Its old 4 years but allways good

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@vickymoore1311]

Wonderful video. Thanks so much for putting all this time and effort into such a useful starting point for beginners. I wonder how many artists got their start here!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're very welcome! That's a fun thought...I wish I did know who started out watching this video :D

[@brendaroberts1550]

As others have commented, I too find your video to be full of the much needed advice for what how and everything else so that now I understand and have learnt much more so I am not as intimated, but now looking forward to working with the clay...Thank you so much for sharing, it is much appreciated ❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰😍

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks, you're very welcome! Happy crafting :)

[@kayrobinson1196]

thank you, very informative and clear

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching :)

[@TThomeawayfromhome]

Thank you so much for a very informative Video and clear instructions for a beginner. I definitely save it to watch and learn step by step. I am passionate with this but don’t know how to start until I found your video . 🥰❤️

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome! I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@TheXena80]

Best tutorial on youtube . Thanks a lot

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks very much!

[@KimberlyCreates]

Love, love, love how you simplified this for us newbies... thank you so much- once we understand this concepts, we can enjoy the craft all the more! 🥰 much love!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome! Happy crafting :)

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

True!

[@juniperreyclay4703]

Right?! This is great

[@user-un4um3xx7n]

Great video for me being new to polymer clay!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Yay!

[@ronnieh2360]

This is brilliant. Thank you 🤗

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it was helpful! :D

[@bartowskiofficial]

Brilliant video - thanks!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@s207016394]

Super informative with loads of tips and tricks for every kind of user - thank you so much ! I'd also like to point out what a lovely voice you have - it was a pleasure to listen to the whole video 😊

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks very much :D

[@hellomarisolmo]

Interesting and informative, thanks!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@reihitchens1202]

Excellent video, thank you very much! My clay arrives tomorrow, wish me luck :)

[@RokoleeDIY]

Good luck! :D

[@bjjones1969]

Thank you great demo with polymer clay. Makes a beginner like me confident in the process.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching :)

[@JoanCabarrusTheSingingSculptor]

It’s so refreshing to see something like this here!

[@bonnietaylor7827]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@Chezyxxx]

It’s not often I watch a long video through but I did with yours and it’s been so informative so thank you for this. I’m a new resin jewellery maker and polymer clay is just screaming at me to play with it 😂. I find that beginner videos which Iv attempted to watch in the past are not helpful but this one was full of so much information which hasn’t confused my little brain. Iv just had to subscribe to you 🥰 xxx

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aww thanks very much :D i'm glad you found it useful. Happy resin-and-clay crafting!

[@chantellehitge3012]

This was so helpful!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you!

[@riakeinert]

Thank you. I learned a lot.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are welcome!

[@warrenking1815]

Good video, clear and concise!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you!

[@sinisreeshan2488]

Sooo helpful!!!!❤️❤️❤️Thanks alot!!!😘

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're so welcome!

[@debrablanson1123]

Thank you, very informative

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@maggiehughes4283]

What an excellent video. Thank you. Am so brand new to this craft, ! and still too nervous to actually create !

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks! Ha, I relate, but don't overthink it... go for it, what's the worst that could happen? :D

[@marypramilaram2488]

Truly appreciate ur video. Thank u.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you for watching :)

[@jacquiliddell7680]

Thank you! Really good information in a lay persons language

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it! :D

[@jillianscorfna300]

So informative thank you so much

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are very welcome!

[@augustadevilliers7528]

Great video!!!! Thank you

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome!

[@Annakitch]

Very informative!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks!

[@PHamm54]

Excellent!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@alinemoraes3663]

Thank you for your video, i´m really don´t found a explication in portuguese so good like your. The best video

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you liked it! :D

[@aprilnugent2259]

Excellent!!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks!

[@wonderwend1]

Superb tutorial!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you!

[@pepasa8017]

thank you so informative.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad to hear it :)