What is polymer clay jewelry?

Polymer clay jewelry is made of polymer clay, which actually does not contain clay but is made of polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PVC. When liquid is added to PVC, it develops a gel-like consistency and can be molded and hardened like clay.

Once polymer clay is softened, it can be molded into any shape. Running the clay through a conditioning machine makes it pliable and easy to work with using pliers and parchment paper. Typical techniques used to create polymer clay jewelry include caning, coiling, carving, stamping and texturing. Polymer clay comes in many colors and is best hardened in a toaster oven set at no higher than 250 degrees Fahrenheit.