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Products made from polymer clay. DIY polymer clay

Products self made(hand-made) have always been especially valued. This is a way to get something unique, creative and something that no one else has. The most popular material for creating unique handmade products is polymer clay. We have already written how to make such clay yourself at home (see).

However, you can not only make polymer clay and sell it as a separate product, but also create various things yourself from this material. From polymer clay you can make decorative ornaments (jewelry), key chains, photo frames, Christmas tree decorations, dolls, figurines and in general any things that may be useful for home decor.

Polymer clay(plastic) is soft material based on polyvinyl chloride. Polymer clay is initially plastic and soft; it can be used to sculpt like plasticine. When the product has been given the desired shape, it is heated, as a result of which it hardens and becomes hard. Some types of polymer clay harden without heating, simply by exposure to air. When creating a product, you can immediately use colored polymer clay, or you can paint a ready-made solid product. Anyone can easily fall on it acrylic paint. If products made from polymer clay are not subjected to frequent impacts and other damage, then they can retain their “marketable appearance” for a very long time.

How to sculpt from polymer clay

Let us immediately warn you that artistic modeling is a creative process and requires certain talents. At a minimum, the arms should grow from the “right” place. If you were always praised in kindergarten for the fact that you sculpted a man out of plasticine well, this does not mean that you will be great at sculpting with polymer clay.

If you want to do sculpting purely for yourself, then, of course, you can do it however you like. But if you want to create your own business in the production and sale of plastic products, and make money from it, then your products must be at least competitive, and at maximum, stand out from the rest in better side. To achieve significant success, it takes practice. Therefore, if you feel that you are gaining skill by practicing, then continue in the same spirit. Otherwise, it is better to think about another type of income.

Modeling

The very first step that you must take is to carefully knead in your hands the piece of polymer clay that you are going to work with next. This will make the plastic softer, and it will be much easier to give it the desired shape. Start training with the simplest elements, gradually moving on to more complex ones.

For example, the first thing you can try to do is a flower and a leaf. To make the leaf, use your fingers to shape a small piece of clay into an oval, then press it lightly onto your work surface until it flattens. Make a sharper edge on one side of the oval, and leave a rounded edge on the other side. Using a toothpick, using a pressing motion, draw veins on the leaf. You will end up with something like this:

Let's move on to next element flower - to the petals. Roll out five small balls of polymer clay and use your fingers to roll them out onto your work surface. Try to keep the edges as round as possible. Now you need to form these petals into a flower. Since each petal sticks slightly to the surface due to pressure, you may disturb its shape when you remove them. Therefore, it is better to do this not with your fingers, but with a blade or other flat object. Place the petals in a circle, one on top of the other, overlapping one edge with the next. Then place a leaf under the finished petals - and your flower is ready:

Baking

Next, you need to heat the product to harden it. You can use a regular oven for this. However, if you are using an oven in which, in addition to baking polymer clay, you also cook food, then it is better to place the product in a container or food sleeve before putting it in the oven. When baking, plastic can release fumes that will settle on the oven walls and adversely affect the quality of your food.

Despite the fact that the required temperature and baking time for a specific type of plastic are always indicated on the packaging, it is better to try it first on a small test piece. Try not to overcook the product in the oven - otherwise it will burn (turn black) and emit a lot of smoke. In this case, it is necessary to urgently ventilate the room.

Degreasing

You can remove excess fat from the product using any detergent. Apply a small amount of product to cotton wool and wipe the product immediately after baking.

Grinding

Not every product will require sanding. This procedure should be performed only if there are fingerprints on the product, any irregularities or lumps on the surface. If you are just starting to create with polymer clay, then it is unlikely that you will be able to immediately create products with an ideal surface. In addition, if you plan to coat the product with varnish or paint, then you cannot do without polishing - the varnish will lie much better on a perfectly flat surface. Therefore, the ability to sand and polish will be useful to you.

You will need sandpaper and a small piece of cloth. Denim (necessarily old fabric, since new fabric can leave traces of paint on the product), corduroy or suede is best suited. Fill a bowl with water room temperature and mix just a little detergent with it. Next, you need to dip the product in water and slightly wet the sandpaper. Start sanding the piece from the edges and reverse side(that is, not face) with coarser sandpaper. Using water, wash away dust and small pieces that form from sandpaper. When you have completed the work with coarse sandpaper, change the water and start sanding with fine sandpaper. Sand the front side as carefully as possible so as not to spoil the presentation of the product.

After finishing sanding, rinse the product again to remove any remaining detergent and grains of sandpaper, and dry it. Next, polish the product using a piece of cloth - simply rub the product on all sides with vigorous movements.

Varnishing

To coat a product with varnish, it is best to use special varnishes that are designed specifically for polymer clay. Some "masters" use acrylic-based nail polishes or decoupage varnishes, but this is not entirely true. correct solution. Such products can only be made for oneself, but they are unlikely to be suitable for sale. Some products, after thorough polishing with a cloth, no longer require varnish.

In direct contact with skin, polymer clay may cause allergies or other unpleasant reactions. This doesn't happen very often, but it's not worth the risk. Therefore, when performing your first work, it is better to use disposable medical gloves. It is also better not to use dishes that have direct contact with polymer clay when eating food.

Tools for working with polymer clay

Each master has in his arsenal the following tools, which are very useful when working with polymer clay:

1. Surfaces for modeling. These are flat surfaces made of glass or plastic, preferably big size. Working on stone or wood surfaces is not recommended.

2. Blades, knives. They are needed in different sizes and thickness of the cutting part. All blades and knives must be as sharp as possible so that the product does not become deformed when cutting.

3. Sandpaper. It is used for polishing or, conversely, to give the product an uneven shape (for example, imitation orange peel).

4. Fabric (denim, corduroy, suede). Used to polish the product and give a shiny shine to the surface.

5. Knitting needles and needles. Need different sizes and thicknesses. They are used for making through holes (for example, in beads) or for making small dents on a product.

6. Glue. Necessary for gluing together individual elements products.

7. Extruder. This is a special tool that looks like a large syringe from which polymer clay is squeezed out. There are various attachments for extruders, with which you can get an element of the future product of the shape you need.

What can be made from polymer clay?

Real plastic modeling professionals offer a wide range of products. Among the assortment you can find:

Earrings;
Rings;
Pendants, pendants;
Beads;
Bracelets;
Hair clips and decorations;
Brooches;
Keychains;
Photo frame;
Figurines, figurines;
Christmas decorations;
Dolls;
Paintings.

To work, you will need not only different polymer clay, but also additional elements. For example, chains for pendants and pendants, metal bases for rings and hairpins, clasps for bracelets and earrings, hooks for Christmas tree decorations, threads (for example, for doll hair), various sparkles, beads and so on. All this can be purchased at any craft store.

How and to whom to sell polymer clay products?

Your clients will be people who want to purchase jewelry and crafts made from polymer clay for themselves or as gifts for loved ones. As practice shows, a significant percentage of clients are young girls. Nowadays communities in in social networks, which are created by plastic sculpting masters. There they post catalogs of their products, and each community member can choose the product they like and place an order. The main difficulty in this type of product sales is to attract and retain social network users in the community.

Another way to sell your product is to participate in fairs and exhibitions of hand-made products. Such events are now quite in demand and are periodically organized in almost every big city. Find out how and where similar fairs and exhibitions are organized in your city, and keep track of the dates of their organization. Offer your products to the organizers as goods. If your products are of high quality, then most likely they will not refuse you.

Also, in every city you can find shops that sell various souvenirs, jewelry, and home decor items. Try to negotiate with such stores to sell your product on mutual terms. In this case, you will act as a supplier of goods.

Since the main advantage of hand-made products is their uniqueness, be sure to offer your customers the opportunity to create a unique product to order. Of course, it will be more reasonable if you introduce such a service when you become a real master. The client describes his wishes to you, perhaps shows approximate sketches of the work, and you make the product especially for him. Such work usually costs slightly more than work done in advance, however, there is a risk that the client will not like the product and he will refuse to pay for it. This is, of course, an unpleasant moment, but you can always sell such a product through a general catalog.

Video of modeling from polymer clay

You can find many videos on the Internet that can be a good help in learning how to sculpt with polymer clay. At first, you can’t do without such videos. We offer you several useful training videos in which the masters clearly and clearly explain each step. If you have the inclination to be creative, then even a child can learn how to beautifully sculpt clay using these videos!

To inspire you to be creative, we offer you amazing works made from polymer clay by real craftsmen!

How much can you earn from polymer clay products?

It depends entirely on you. A package of imported polymer clay (for example, from the manufacturers “Premo”, “Sculpey”, “Kato”, “Pardo”, “Fimo”) costs approximately from 2 to 6 dollars, depending on the volume. Polymer clay from domestic manufacturers (for example, “Tsvetik”, “Sonet”) is even cheaper.

The costs of additional materials will also be insignificant, especially since they are not required for all products (for example, for a simple figurine you do not need anything except the polymer clay itself). But the cost of finished products can be completely different. Exclusive items that are made to order can cost up to $15 each. Various earrings, pendants, rings are sold for an average of 4-5 dollars. If you learn to work quickly and create high-quality products, you can make pretty good money in this business.

Polymers are relatively new materials that have steadily entered our lives. We use polymer products as decorations, dishes, glue, and varnishes.

Polymers are rapidly gaining market share due to their technical properties. High elasticity, water resistance, lightness. The material is capable, under certain conditions, of changing its physical fitness. In addition, the material is quite strong and lightweight.

Basic properties

The first mention of plastic was recorded in the early 30s. The German Fifi Rehbinder developed clay for doll heads. Soft, pliable material for production of products. Very similar to plasticine in all properties. Has a specific smell. Retains its shape, hardens and loses its plastic qualities after treatment at high temperatures (up to 130° C). When working with the material at home, an oven is a good choice to achieve this result. When the temperature rises, an inconvertible process occurs. Subsequently, various paints and varnishes can be applied to the frozen work, and the parts can be joined together with glue.

Manufacturers immediately paint polymer clay in certain colors. There are sets of palettes with interesting effects: glitter, metallic, stone and even glowing.

For your product, you can easily choose exactly the type of color and additional effect that matches your idea of it - just class.

FIMO is a world-famous company for the production of polymer clay. On this moment plastic is available in several types with different properties, different color scheme, serially in blocks or individually.

Gallery: polymer clay products (25 photos)

Classification:

FIMO classic. Color block of 24 shades. Available in 56 g and 350 g. Beautiful products from this brand are made using the kaleidoscope or kane technique. Initially it is hard, but after kneading it becomes more flexible. Experts advise starting mashing with a small piece. You can also use Fimo MixQuik softener. It does not change the color or structure. Direct Sun rays destroy the structure and turn clay into stone.
FIMO soft. Ideal for children's modeling. Soft, does not require much effort. Very popular material. Available in the same configuration as the classic one. Suitable for mixing with FIMO classic, thereby improving its properties.
FIMO effect. Improved soft. Set of 37 shades. The series is filled with color special effects. Effect natural stone, luminous, transparency, shimmer, metallic and many other color effects allow you to work and use this type of plastic in many techniques.
FIMO puppen. The name itself speaks volumes about its purpose. Translated from German it means doll. It has 4 main types of flesh tones. Packaging 500 grams. The material holds the shape of small parts well. Additional colors can be achieved by mixing previous brands.
Gel. Allows you to imitate glass and other translucent parts. Gluing parts.

There are also less popular companies on the market that produce polymer clay.

What can be made from polymer clay:

Christmas tree toys.
Decorative items for the home.
Jewelry, jewelry, hairpins.
Author's works of designers (mini-sculptures, flower arrangements, etc.).

How to make and using what technology?

There are technologies for making various kinds of crafts and decorations. And I must say that the ability of clay to convey all the grace of color and texture of the figures is simply surprising in its naturalness. It is possible to show the highest class when manipulating polymer clay with the acquisition of extensive experience. Material long time stored without losing its qualities. Due to its availability and ease of use, clay has become a source of additional income. By making goods in a simple way and putting them up for sale. There are no limits to your imagination. Almost every person would want to make a pendant, photo frame, toy or other item with their own hands.

Needlewomen themselves choose the style and technique of how to make plastic jewelry with their own hands. Experiment with color and texture.

- the most common technique and very interesting topic that the pattern is achieved on the cut. The technique is called Sausage or Cane. Thanks to it, identical blanks for bracelets and beads are made. Ready-made blanks are available in stores that will make the work easier for young craftsmen. This technique allows you to make earrings, bracelets, and rings as a set. Depending on the experience of the master, you can make a simple or complex drawing.

A simple lesson in making sausages from polymer clay and creating fruit canes will help you achieve the desired result. Watching videos of master classes different specialists How to make jewelry from polymer clay with your own hands will help improve your skill level.

Color mixing technique(smooth transition). Identical or different proportions of pieces in color and weight during subsequent mixing give a unique design to the product. Therefore, the products are purely individual.

Salty technique. The finished product is well coated with salt. After drying, the salt is simply washed away. The indentations that appear give it an interesting look.

Filigree. Modeling requires accuracy and attentiveness from the master. Very painstaking work with small details.

When making beads, the technique is great watercolor. Making a wide bracelet using the kaleidoscope method is a great idea. Use your imagination and use your hands.

A beginner, wanting to gain experience in making plastic jewelry with his own hands, can follow the advice of experts in this matter.

Masters are happy to share their work through master classes on the Internet. In the video tutorials on creating jewelry from polymer clay, the master class is taught by people who themselves started by modeling sausages and simple beads. It is possible to enroll in jewelry making courses, if they exist in your city. On the Internet, you can take a whole course of learning how to make various kinds of objects with your own hands from polymer clay, which are in good demand on the costume jewelry market because of their uniqueness.

Every fashionista needs an accessory to complete her look. Top class when done by yourself. You can not only show off a new thing, but also show your taste and style.

Expert advice on how to make jewelry from polymer clay. Be guided step by step instructions masters View the master class “Polymer clay. Jewelry pendant." Turn on your imagination and get started.

To get started, a beginner just needs to have:

clay (at least 2-3 colors);
knife (blade);
smooth surface for processing (plastic board, oilcloth, sheet of paper);
a pin with a loop;
a piece of wire 5-10 cm;
varnish or transparent gel;
thin rubber gloves;
oven to complete the process.

Bend the wire into any shape you like, giving it the appearance of a frame. Take clay of two colors and combine it randomly. Roll up the sausage. Mash this sausage with a 2.5 mm flat cake. Use a rolling pin to press the wire into the clay. Trim the edges along the contour of the iron. Make a ball or droplet and attach it to the top of the product. Poke with a pin. You will now have the fastener attached. Place in the oven at the temperature indicated on the clay packaging. Cover the completely cooled pendant with varnish. You have created an elegant decoration.

Jewelry from precious stones made by jewelers in a single copy is an excellent choice. But not every girl can afford to buy such an exclusive product because of its high cost. Gold products from the “mass market” series have a more affordable price, but they lack the main highlight - uniqueness.

Therefore, many of our contemporaries prefer to wear jewelry made from simple and cheap materials, but which have no analogues. An example is jewelry made from polymer clay. Such jewelry can be made to order according to the customer’s sketches. Or you can master working with this material yourself and make unique jewelry for yourself and as a gift to your friends and relatives.

Photos of jewelry made by craftswomen cannot leave any beauty connoisseur indifferent. These can be simple but interesting beads, ideal for an everyday look, or charming sets that can be worn for a special occasion. special occasion, including for a wedding.

Some craftswomen use a combination of different materials. Jewelry made from polymer clay and beads are popular. Sometimes beads, artificial pearls or crystals are used for decoration.

What kind of material?

The basis of the material is polyvinyl chloride, it is a polymer material that is widely used in everyday life. Furniture, dishes, toys and other things are made from it. Externally, polymer clay differs little from the plasticine everyone has been accustomed to since childhood. And the technique of working with the material is in many ways reminiscent of modeling from plasticine.

Polymer clay began to be produced for widespread sale more than fifty years ago. Initially, the material was intended for making dolls, but then other ways of using it were invented.

The main difference between polymer clay and plasticine is that when exposed to high (100-130 degrees) temperatures, the material hardens and retains its shape forever.

With this quality, the material resembles natural clay. But the polymer analogue hardens at much lower temperatures than ordinary clay. Therefore, the use of special ovens is not required; “firing” can be done in a regular household oven.

Is there any health hazard?

The composition of polymer clay includes the following substances:

Polyvinyl chloride is the substance that forms the basis of the material.
Plasticizers are special additives that make it easy to knead the material in your hands and give it any desired shape;
Kaolin is a powdery substance that gives the material qualities that make it look like ordinary clay.
Dye – polymer clay is available in a wide variety of colors.
Mica is an additive present in varieties of material that have pearlescent shades.

As can be seen from the description of the composition of the material Polymer clay does not contain any substances hazardous to health. However, some caution should still be exercised. When molded parts are heated, vinyl chloride is released in small quantities. Inhalation of vapors of this substance can cause poisoning. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out firing only with the hood on or the window open. After the firing is completed, the release of vinyl chloride will become impossible, so the finished products do not pose any danger; even children can wear jewelry made from this material.

There are varieties of polymer clay that do not require firing. The plasticity of this material is ensured by the introduction of additional additives into the composition, which evaporate during the drying process at room temperature. These additives are not poisonous, however, you should not risk inhaling their vapors. It is recommended to dry finished products in a well-ventilated area.

Material capabilities

The possibilities of polymer clay are very diverse. Any decorations are made from this material - rings, hairpins, earrings, bracelets, medallions, etc. In addition, the material is well suited for making Christmas tree decorations, decorative elements, and dolls.

If desired, polymer clay items can be made to look like marble, wood, or porcelain. For this purpose, special techniques for working with the material are used.

Watercolor

Using this technique, you can make products with a “marble” pattern. To do this, you need to take clay of at least two shades and start kneading it with your fingers, ensuring that the colors mix, but not completely. If you overdo it, the marble shade will disappear, and you will end up with a piece of clay of a uniform color.

The workpiece is rolled out on a glass or ceramic base and cut to form the required parts.

Millifiori

This a more complex technique, which is also called “sausage”. To obtain the workpiece, pieces of clay of the desired shades are rolled into flagella of different sizes (in accordance with the idea) and folded in the required order. Then the workpiece is compressed and cut crosswise. A certain pattern is obtained on the cut.

Mokume Gane

The technique is distinguished not only by its complex name, but its execution requires a certain skill. Clay different colors roll out into plates and place them on top of each other. Then, holes of the required shape are cut out in the prepared blank, inserting clay blanks of a contrasting shade into them. After compressing the workpiece, it is cut into transverse layers, which allows you to obtain a very unusual pattern.

Filigree

Products made using the filigree technique are distinguished by their special elegance. The difference between the technique is the use of thin flagella and stripes, which decorate the surface of the product, laying them out in intricate patterns.

Salty (sugar)

This technique allows you to obtain products with relief. The molded beads (or other blanks) are rolled in coarse salt or sugar. After firing, the pieces are placed in water so that the salt (sugar) dissolves.

Where to begin?

Having decided to make jewelry from polymer clay, you should start with the simplest option - making beads or a bracelet from beads. You need to roll identical beads of the desired shape from clay and make holes in them so that they can then be strung on a thread.

You need to fire the finished beads by stringing them on a wire and placing them suspended above the mold. If you place the beads on a flat surface, one side of the product will become deformed. The finished beads are coated with water-based varnish and then assembled onto a strong thread or fishing line.

Having mastered a simple technique of working with the material, you can begin to make more complex jewelry. So, if this is jewelry for children, then the elements of the jewelry may resemble berries or fruits. Decorations in the form of animal figures look interesting. Adult girls can also wear such jewelry; they can complement everyday, and especially summer, looks.

Flowers made from polymer clay turn out very beautiful. Flowers made by talented craftswomen are difficult to distinguish from real ones at first glance. Airy necklaces made of flowers and beads can be a wonderful decoration for a special event. You can make a bracelet or earrings to go with the necklace. This set will look great with an evening dress.

The production of handmade polymer clay jewelry is a promising direction, which has the advantage of not having large amounts of initial capital. All that is needed is perseverance and imagination, as well as a sincere desire to find your target audience and competently offer them products.

Handmade jewelry is very popular in Lately, therefore, the business of producing jewelry from polymer clay is quite promising and profitable.

Polymer clay (plastic) is a material similar in its properties to plasticine, but when exposed to air or high temperatures it hardens, becoming durable.

There are several varieties of polymer clay, which are distinguished by plasticity and other effects. There is a wide color palette on the market.

Products can be additionally processed with other means and materials (varnish, paints, etc.).

Despite the fact that working with this material requires perseverance and painstakingness, it does not require you to invest large amounts of money at the very beginning, and the sales market is extremely large (offline and online options), so the business of producing jewelry from polymer clay can be called very promising.

Sales channels are as follows:

Online stores
Markets
Trade fairs
Groups on social networks
Sales in offline stores

Most often, costume jewelry and small souvenirs are created from polymer clay.

The target audience- these are traditionally women. There are no age restrictions, since jewelry can be made using various techniques, therefore, representatives of different social groups and age groups may be interested in the offer.

The manufacturing steps are simple: idea - implementation of the idea - sale. The manufacture of jewelry itself is not difficult technologically, since it does not require any special conditions.

The manufacturing technology is quite simple:

Modeling a product - giving shape to clay
Firing/drying
Assembly

Pricing can be determined using the following formula: the amount spent on materials multiplied by 2.

Necessary equipment and materials to start a business

Equipment

Name	Purpose	Price
Oven/microwave	For final processing of the product	As a rule, no additional purchase is required, since it is available in every home
Additionally, you can purchase devices for working with polymer clay. This expense item is not mandatory, especially at the initial stage. This includes cutters, stacks, machines, knives, texture sheets, and so on.	These tools are relevant for processing products, for giving them textures and textures, interesting effects. The higher the professionalism of the master, the greater the range of tools he can use.	Some prices: Set of cutters: average price 220 rubles/set Set of stacks (plastic): 120 rubles/set Knife for work (scalpel): 160 rubles Texture sheet: 150 rubles

Name

Purpose

Price

Oven/microwave

For final processing of the product

As a rule, no additional purchase is required, since it is available in every home

Additionally, you can purchase devices for working with polymer clay. This expense item is not mandatory, especially at the initial stage.

This includes cutters, stacks, machines, knives, texture sheets, and so on.

These tools are relevant for processing products, for giving them textures and textures, interesting effects. The higher the professionalism of the master, the greater the range of tools he can use.

Some prices:

Set of cutters: average price 220 rubles/set

Set of stacks (plastic): 120 rubles/set

Knife for work (scalpel): 160 rubles

Texture sheet: 150 rubles

Materials

Name	Purpose	Price, in rub.
Polymer clay	The main material used for sculpting and modeling.	80 rubles/bar of one color.
Varnish for polymer clay	Used at the final stage of creating jewelry. Gives the product shine, makes it durable and resistant to environmental influences.	On average, 150/bottle
Accessories for jewelry Basics for brooches Connecting rings Pins Cabochons Chains, cords Clasps Eyelets Limit switches Connectors and others.	These materials are necessary during the assembly stage of the decoration. There are many varieties of them, but the main advantage is the low price of all types. You can purchase sets of accessories for jewelry in bulk!	The wholesale price of a set of accessories for jewelry in an assortment is about 1000 rubles/set.

Name

Purpose

Price, in rub.

Polymer clay

The main material used for sculpting and modeling.

80 rubles/bar of one color.

Varnish for polymer clay

Used at the final stage of creating jewelry.

Gives the product shine, makes it durable and resistant to environmental influences.

On average, 150/bottle

Accessories for jewelry
Basics for brooches
Connecting rings
Pins
Cabochons
Chains, cords
Clasps
Eyelets
Limit switches
Connectors and others.

These materials are necessary during the assembly stage of the decoration.

There are many varieties of them, but the main advantage is the low price of all types.

You can purchase sets of accessories for jewelry in bulk!

The wholesale price of a set of accessories for jewelry in an assortment is about 1000 rubles/set.

As already noted, to start a business producing jewelry from polymer clay, you do not need any special equipment, that is, capital investments at the initial stage are minimal.

This is an affordable material that is widely available for sale. With a certain skill, imagination and ingenuity, you can create interesting jewelry; as a result, the prospect of selling at a cost 10 times higher than the purchase price is quite real.

The average cost of a plastic bar of one color weighing 30 grams is 80 rubles per purchase. For example, even if you limit yourself to using only 3 colors, you will spend about 240 rubles on the purchase. You can make enough elements from them for 5-6 decorations.

Selling products at a minimum cost of 700 rubles shows us a revenue of 3,260 rubles in profit.

The initial costs of purchasing materials and tools have already paid off.

Starting a Business: Investments

Thus, starting a business based on the production of polymer clay jewelry will not require large investments.

A supplier's website that is beneficial from the buyer's point of view is an international store with free shipping all over the world - http://www.aliexpress.com.

Here is the approximate distribution capital investments:

The main material is polymer clay. You can purchase a ready-made kit, which costs about $28 and includes a fairly wide range of polymer clay colors, plus a minimum of tools and auxiliary equipment.

Auxiliary equipment

Auxiliary equipment includes those tools and materials that were listed in the table. Let us remind you that they are not mandatory; it is more profitable to buy them in sets, since the average price is even lower:

For example, a set of knives for working with polymer clay:

In general, there are a lot of additional materials that we DO NOT INCLUDE in the basis:
The working surface is also a substrate for work
Rolling pin for rolling out polymer clay:
Pasta machine (used quite rarely)
Extruder
Cutters different forms:
Stacks for creating and decorating miniature parts
Molds

Thus, the initial necessary expenses amount to a maximum of about 2000 rubles!

With this starting capital, you can already start producing jewelry from polymer clay.

Earning prospects

Prospects good earnings great. If we take 1 finished product as a unit of account, and if we take a fairly serious workload, then the following graph may come out:

Daily sales/production volume, pcs.	2 products
Number of shifts per month	We take independent work as a standard at the initial stage, when the master himself works.
Monthly volume, pcs.	On average: 50-60 products
Price per unit of production, in rubles	300 rubles for a simple product
Revenue, rub.	Cash proceeds from the sale of polymer clay products: the average for stable sales is 15,000 - 18,000 (taking into account the cost of 1 product at 300 rubles)
Profitability, in rub.	Net profit to total turnover is about 16,000.
Payback, per month.	The period during which the income from investments becomes equal to the value of the investments themselves is approximately 1-2 weeks if there is interest and full workload.

The optimal type of activity at the initial stage is when the master works for himself; this is precisely what makes this type of business attractive.

Hand-made products have always been especially valued. This is a way to get something unique, creative and something that no one else has. The most popular material for creating unique handmade products is polymer clay. We have already written how to make such clay yourself at home.

Polymer clay (plastic) is soft material based on polyvinyl chloride. Polymer clay is initially plastic and soft; it can be used to sculpt like plasticine. When the product has been given the desired shape, it is heated, as a result of which it hardens and becomes hard. Some types of polymer clay harden without heating, simply by exposure to air. When creating a product, you can immediately use colored polymer clay, or you can paint a ready-made solid product. Any acrylic paint will easily apply to it. If products made from polymer clay are not subjected to frequent impacts and other damage, then they can retain their “marketable appearance” for a very long time.

How to sculpt from polymer clay

If you want to do sculpting purely for yourself, then, of course, you can do it however you like. But if you want to create your own business in the production and sale of plastic products, and make money from it, then your products must be at least competitive, and at maximum, stand out from the rest for the better. To achieve significant success, it takes practice. Therefore, if you feel that you are gaining skill by practicing, then continue in the same spirit. Otherwise, it is better to think about another type of income.

Modeling

Let's move on to the next element of the flower - the petals. Roll out five small balls of polymer clay and use your fingers to roll them out onto your work surface. Try to keep the edges as round as possible. Now you need to form these petals into a flower. Since each petal sticks slightly to the surface due to pressure, you may disturb its shape when you remove them.

Therefore, it is better to do this not with your fingers, but with a blade or other flat object. Place the petals in a circle, one on top of the other, overlapping one edge with the next. Then place a leaf under the finished petals - and your flower is ready:

Baking

Degreasing

You can remove excess fat from the product using any detergent. Apply a small amount of product to cotton wool and wipe the product immediately after baking.

Grinding

Next, you need to dip the product in water and slightly wet the sandpaper. Start sanding the piece from the edges and back side (that is, not the front side) with coarser sandpaper. Using water, wash away dust and small pieces that form from sandpaper. When you have completed the work with coarse sandpaper, change the water and start sanding with fine sandpaper. Sand the front side as carefully as possible so as not to spoil the presentation of the product.

Varnishing

To coat a product with varnish, it is best to use special varnishes that are designed specifically for polymer clay. Some “masters” use acrylic-based nail polishes or decoupage varnishes, but this is not entirely the right solution. Such products can only be made for oneself, but they are unlikely to be suitable for sale. Some products, after thorough polishing with a cloth, no longer require varnish.

Tools for working with polymer clay

Each master has in his arsenal the following tools, which are very useful when working with polymer clay:

1. Surfaces for modeling. These are flat surfaces made of glass or plastic, preferably large. Working on stone or wood surfaces is not recommended.

3. Sandpaper. It is used for polishing or, conversely, to give the product an uneven shape (for example, imitation orange peel).

4. Fabric (denim, corduroy, suede). Used to polish the product and give a shiny shine to the surface.

5. Knitting needles and needles. Need different sizes and thicknesses. They are used for making through holes (for example, in beads) or for making small dents on a product.

6. Glue. Necessary for gluing together individual elements of the product.

What can be made from polymer clay?

Real plastic modeling professionals offer a wide range of products. Among the assortment you can find:

Earrings;
Rings;
Pendants, pendants;
Beads;
Bracelets;
Hair clips and decorations;
Brooches;
Keychains;
Photo frame;
Figurines, figurines;
Christmas decorations;
Dolls;
Paintings.

How and to whom to sell polymer clay products?

Your clients will be people who want to purchase jewelry and crafts made from polymer clay for themselves or as gifts for loved ones. As practice shows, a significant percentage of clients are young girls. Nowadays, communities on social networks created by plastic sculpting masters are very popular. There they post catalogs of their products, and each community member can choose the product they like and place an order. The main difficulty in this type of product sales is to attract and retain social network users in the community.

Another way to sell your product is to participate in fairs and exhibitions of hand-made products. Such events are now quite in demand and are periodically organized in almost every major city. Find out how and where similar fairs and exhibitions are organized in your city, and keep track of the dates of their organization. Offer your products to the organizers as goods. If your products are of high quality, then most likely they will not refuse you.

Video of modeling from polymer clay

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Products made from polymer clay. DIY polymer clay

How to sculpt from polymer clay

Modeling

Baking

Degreasing

Grinding

Varnishing

Tools for working with polymer clay

What can be made from polymer clay?

How and to whom to sell polymer clay products?

Video of modeling from polymer clay

How much can you earn from polymer clay products?

Basic properties

Gallery: polymer clay products (25 photos)

Classification:

What can be made from polymer clay:

How to make and using what technology?

What kind of material?

Is there any health hazard?

Material capabilities

Where to begin?

Necessary equipment and materials to start a business

Equipment

Materials

Starting a Business: Investments

Auxiliary equipment

Earning prospects

How to sculpt from polymer clay

Modeling

Baking

Degreasing

Grinding

Varnishing

Tools for working with polymer clay

What can be made from polymer clay?

How and to whom to sell polymer clay products?

Video of modeling from polymer clay

How much can you earn from polymer clay products?