7 BASIC POLYMER CLAY HACKS all crafters should know - Tutorial on how to make better diy crafts 

hey, i noticed in the video that you mentioned used wax paper in the oven when baking clay. im not sure if that was just a mistake and you were actually using parchment paper, but i just wanted to make sure i pointed it out to anyone who sees this video in the future to _not_ put wax paper in the oven. it could melt or even catch fire! wax paper starts to melt around 200 degrees, which is typically lower than the temp you would use to bake clay. otherwise, great video!

You can bake round pieces on top of cornstarch so they don’t come out with a flat side. It brushes off after baking. I also make tiny “donuts” of aluminum foil to bake my charms on so the bottom doesn’t burn. I reuse the foil, and the cornstarch can be reused a few times too, just make sure to not put it back with the starch used for food.

GIRL! Thank you thank you thank you! I am just getting started with polymer clay and this was SO helpful, especially about the sealant! :D

THE HACK FOR THE TOO SOFT CLAY SAVED MY LIFE YOU GENIUS WOMAN

When I actually start using clay I'll have to remember this. This is weird to admit but I frequent your channel even though I do not craft with clay (yet). I instead needle felt and use your videos as inspiration to get me into an artsy mood. I am sure there are others out there that do this too... maybe? XD I stumbled onto you a little more than half a year ago when I was really depressed and you got me back in the game. My crafting got me focused again on other things and life got better. My mother and me have even taken it upon ourselves to start a project this week for the cancer patients (children) at the hospital down the street (5 minutes up the road). We are making little head bands with feathers (think 1920s head pieces) and all sorts of things adorning them. This way they do not feel so bare up top. Thank you for the inspiration to craft and to help others through crafting just like you do.

my favorite hack was the baby oil one. my clay would always break apart and I couldn't be able to make charms but now that I've seen this video it has helped a lot. thanks Jackie

NerdECrafter- I recently learned that you can also use eye shadow on polymer in place of Pearl Ex or Perfect Pearls. Although the later two are far superior products, I did try the eye shadow trick as I had a bunch of cheapo pallets that I hadn't thrown away in pretty copper, gold, and other brilliant colors. I was blown away how awesome some of my pieces turned out.

You are a lifesaver! I was in dire need of a new material to add to my portfolio (I study applied art techniques) and I rushed into polymer clay. I had disaster after disaster! Now I followed your hacks and hey presto, hello doll!

Put a sheet of plastic between the book and the oily clay. Otherwise the oil may seep through the paper and into the paper of the book's cover. Thanks for a great vid.

I'd like to add some tips. The pasta machine gets really dirty and leaves streaks. You can disassemble the machine to the bare minimum of just the rollers and crank, which will allow for easier cleaning and still works for rolling clay. For cleaning, take some paper towels and douse them with enough olive oil to make them very moist, but not drippy. Then run them through the machine at a snug thickness to clean the rollers. Furthermore, polymer clay is PVC, which despite the claims of being non-toxic, is toxic and hormone-inhibiting. BAD. You can't simply wash your hands with soap and water after working the clay. Baby wipes don't cut it, either. You need oil to remove it. I prefer olive oil, because baby oil is a petroleum product, and that's gross. You can make your own wipes using paper towels and a plastic tub: First, get a tupperware or re-use a baby wipes tub. Prepare the paper towels. Fold them so that they will stack into the tub. In a large bowl, add 1/2 cup olive oil, several drops of essential oil for scent (I like lavender) and 1 cup or so of distilled water. Whisk or stir vigorously until the mixture is well-blended, then IMMEDIATELY pour over the paper towels in the tub, so that they soak up the mixture before the water and oil separates. If you need more liquid, mix some more oil and water separately and them pour over. You can use these to clean your hands after working with clay. Afterward, use soap and water to wash your hands, or simply dry with a towel for nice, moisturized hands.

If you don't want to use shaved pastels for coloring on clay (or mixing with TLS), I find that shaving off baked clay parts works too. Though I'm not a complete expert, this worked for me and it turned out amazingly.

These are so helpful! I didn't know that nail polish remover can clean clay after its baked. And the one about clay that is too soft will help me a TON.

Newest subscriber here! I love this tutorial, there were a couple I knew but the Vaseline or baby oil to soften hard or dried clay was a new one for me! And to think that I've been wasting money on "Polymer Clay Softener" at about $7.00 for a tiny 1 or 2 oz bottle--maddening! And the water based varnish, another big money saver! Thank you so much for the wonderful tips! I can't wait to dig into the rest of your channel.

Loved the hacks!! I've worked with clay for years, but most of your hacks were new to me!!

please know you’re the reason why i started to sculpt with clay when in my early elementary years. i’m in high school now and i have my own business selling clay earrings.

Omg vintage NerdE vids!! 😍 I've just got started with polymer clay and was hoping you'd have some tips. What a salty gem 🧂💎 ❤

So many great tips! Wonderful video as always! :D

The wood varnish is my fave. Thank you xx

I already have your introduction memorized. Everytime I watch another one of your videos I secretly go along. I love you videos Keeo it up! C:

Cool, thanks for the tips! Making my first serious polymer clay piece since high school, so excited!

Thanks for taking the time to give these wonderful tips.

Thank you for the hacks! I just got some clay supplies and haven't started working with it yet. This will be a big help. Love your videos!! ❤️❤️❤️

omg THANK YOU!!!! I'm falling in love with your channel.

Thank you Jackie!! It helped me a lot for a clay that was dry and crumbly!!

I learnt something new today!! Thank you for sharing!!

Thanks for the simple, clear and useful suggestions!

These are awesome girl! Thanks!! My favorite was the clay too soft and allow some the oil to absorb! Yay you rock

Omg! This is gonna help me so much!!!!! All of them were my favorite!!!! Love ya!

Love the vaseline & baby oil for softening clay!!!! I'm definitely going to use that hack 😍😍😍

Those were awesome hacks ! Very helpful ! Thanks ! 💚✌️💚

This was freaking awesome!!!!!!! My cousin and me are going to start our adventure into Polymer clay and this will help us a lot!!!!!

I'm definitely gonna get some of the varnish !!! Thanks 👍✨💕😊

Awesome and helpful tips just was newbies are looking for.

WOWWWWW Iv'e been searching on here for HOURS and then their was you I LOVEEEE YOUR HACKS keep the the good work and thanks for sharing

Thanks. number six helped me a lot. I've been trying to find a way to clean my clay

Thanks! These are often difficulties that happens to me while making clay charms. I enjoyed the video alot! 🙌

Thanks for those awesome tips.

Thank you for this, I am just starting out with polymer clay and this helps me loads!

I loved it and thank you for the varnish tip.

Fantastic tips for sure!!

Great info for us newbies! Thank you. Very helpful.

Oh thank you so much, I just got a bunch of this new polymer clay and it's been super difficult to work with

Love this. I used the wax paper and foil trick. Thanks so much ♥️

Thank you so much! I have some hard clay, it was on sale at Michaels and in my joy didn't check them first. I was using TLS to soften it as I saw in some videos but it ends up really sticky, I'm going to try the baby oil today :) I have myalgia so kneading the clay for so long made it hard for me to make anything. So happy! :D

Tips fast and simple. Thank you!

thank for the tips I am just learning si I will be following you at all times thanks you x

Omg thank you so much. I’ve been having issues with the dirt and clay getting in my works. Thank youuuuy

I already knew the one about dealing with soft clay but the one to deal with hard and crumbly clay was new to me and might come in helpful as i bought a bunch of clay a couple years ago and never used it. I tried using some from an open pack back in february and it was really hard and crumbly but after i just worked it a bit it held together and was fine to work with. That rubbing alcohol/nail polish remover trick will come in handy too.

I love that you show the verithane. I was wondering how to get a shiny finish without the expensive craft store prices!

i'm really glad u made this video, now i can be ready for when i start making some cool stuff.

Awesome video as always! This has definitely inspired me to get crafting today :3

I love the paper to remove the oil hack. I have just been leaving mine on one sheet of paper over night, but this is so much more effective.

this is a great video and very helpful!! I didn't know about the nail polish one xD

Thanks for this video, it learned me a lot of things for my polymer clay projects 😘

I need to get started & your tips are well taken ..thanks

Awsome, this was extremely helpful for a beginner, and I would imagine even someone who has been working with clay. I don't know because I am just starting :)

Omgggg I looked online for how to soften hard clay and only found complicated tutorials..is it really as easy as adding baby oil or Vaseline!!! Ugh and I've been struggling with throwing it away and now I don't have to! Yayyy

this really helped me especially the rubbing alcohol one

Awesome video, I learned a lot. Do you have a video on finishing your clay piece?

I've been following you for a while but never thought about trying clay myself till now so it was fun for me to go back and see retro Jackie lol

coool! You have great hacks! Never stop creating. God Bless.

This was actually very helpful. Thank you

Thank you! This was really helpful!!!

yay finally another video!!!!!!!!!

I learned some new tricks to my p clay issues! Thank you for sharing 🤩

This was really helpful! Thank you so much!!!

I love the video! I soooooo needed these hacks!!!!! ty ty ty ty ❤❤❤❤❤

You just made my life easier ! Thanks a bunch

I am very new to polymer clay as in super new I haven't made anything yet! I do work in Metal Clay so I thank you for these hacks....I know they'll come in handy!

Thanks for sharing. They are all very useful.

Great tips, thank you!

AWESOME love your videos!

Great tips, thanks for sharing!!

Thank you so much! You've given me the courage to start making clay earrings 🥲🙏

Wow these are some really good hacks ❤️

These are so helpful thank you!!!

This is incredibly useful. Thanks.

I've worked witb polymer clay for about a year. These are great tips!

Thank you for very useful tips.

OMG THANK YOU THIS HELPED SO MUCH!!!

Nice video didn't know about the nail polish remover thanks 👍🏾

Thanks! My clay is hard, thought I had to throw it out! Cant wait to try the baby oil trick!

Thankyou so much this made me day

Great tips! Thank you for sharing.

excellent video so many helpful tips . thanks

Thank you so much for this video!!

thank you thank you I really was looking for tips and now here I am ,,thank you very much you helped me a lot

omg.. jackie u really changed in the last few years! And about the hacks.. tysm for the tips! :)

such a useful video! thank you :)

Just starting with clay your video was awesome

Awesome tutorial.

Thank you sooo much!My clay that i bought a few weeks ago is soo hard and crumbly!And now i know what to do!:D

I love the one for soft clay. Your so smart Jackie! xD

Thanks a lot! I can't wait to try out a pasta machine; it seems so perfectly useful.

Thank u for this tutorial ❤❤

I'm new to using polymer clay and I found this tutorial very helpful, I've even saved it in my RU-vid favourites list.

this is super helpful :D thank you!

Thank you so much , it was really helpful

your such a professional!

if you dont wanna buy a pasta machine you could also use a tortilla maker, it takes up less space