What is polymer clay?

Polymer clay is a coloured modelling clay that stays soft until you bake it. After a spell in a home oven it sets hard, and you can then sand, drill and paint it. Mont Marte's version is called Make n Bake, and it's the polymer clay we stock.

How to bake polymer clay

This is what the Mont Marte Make n Bake pack says:

1. Knead the clay until it's soft and smooth, on a clean, dust-free surface.
2. Shape your piece and put it on baking paper, foil or a ceramic tile.
3. Bake in a home oven preheated to 120 to 130°C, for about 30 minutes per 6mm of thickness.
4. Let it cool fully before you handle it. It firms up as it cools.

Do a test piece first, because home ovens often run hotter or cooler than the dial says. Don't go any hotter, and never use a microwave.

What can you make with polymer clay?

• Earrings: thin slabs, arches and marbled circles. Pierce the holes before baking. Hooks and jump rings come from a bead shop.
• Charms and keyrings: push a hole through before baking so you can thread cord or a keyring through afterwards.
• Magnets: cut shapes from a 5mm slab and glue a craft magnet on the back once it's hard.
• Christmas ornaments and gift tags: the step-by-step is in our polymer clay Christmas ornaments guide, or pick your colours on our ornaments shopping page.
• Beads: roll small balls, pierce them with a skewer and bake.

More project ideas are in our clay supplies guide.

Colours and pack sizes

• Make n Bake 60g blocks, $4.99 each, bought one colour at a time: basics like black, white, beige and greys, plus brights, pastels, deeper tones and metallic, chrome and rose gold finishes.
• Make n Bake 10pc, $6.99, a 10 piece pack of mixed colours to try.
• Make n Bake 400g blocks, from $14.99, for bigger pieces, in a smaller choice of colours.
• Class Lot of 30 x 60g blocks, $89.99, for schools and groups.

Polymer clay kits

• Polymer Clay Starter Kit, Christmas Colours ($49.99): six colours, Modelling Tools 6pc and Natural Finish Clay Sealer.
• Clay Charm Kit ($14.99): four 60g blocks and a palette knife set.
• Clay Ornament Kit ($29.99): five colours, a 16 piece hole punch set and jute twine.
• Polymer Clay Jewellery Dish Kit ($99.99): ten colours, a 400g white block, tools and gold and copper leaf, for 2 to 4 people.

Tools and sealer

• Modelling Tools 6pc ($12.99): fine blades for cutting and detail.
• Mini Modelling Tools Boxwood 10pc ($9.99): for small details on figures.
• Natural Finish Clay Sealer 120ml ($13.99): water-based and ultra-matte, for painted polymer clay.
• Acrylic paint for adding colour after baking.

Not sure if you need polymer or air dry clay? Our polymer clay vs air dry clay guide and guide to clay types in NZ compare them side by side.