Garden Art Creations: Polymer Clay in the Garden

Polymer clay is one of the hottest materials to hit the art market in decades. Its popularity is constantly growing as clay artists find new ways to use this pliable medium.  Not only is it being used to make colorful home accessories, but we also find it in jewelry, buttons, nail art embellishments and garden art. Polymer clay is a bendable compound that is not the same as mineral clay, but it feels and looks like it. It’s made up of very fine particles of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Additionally, it doesn't dry out so there is no time limit for working with it.

Using a glass or marble work surface, or even waxed paper, the artists begin a project by softening the clay with their hands. Molding it into the shape they desire, they add new bits of colors to each piece or swirl them together to make a marble effect. There are only three basic tools actually needed: a knife, skewer for creating a hole for hanging, and an oven to bake the clay to a hardened state. Many clay artists use toaster ovens for their work but it’s not necessary since you can use your own kitchen oven; be sure to clean it regularly.

The colors of the clay are almost limitless says Charleen (Ridesredmule), who began creating polymer garden art last year. She started simply with bugs, particularly ants, to fill her garden. She graduated to other insects but she loves the dragonflies best.

Charleen had so much fun using the polymer clay that she stepped out of her comfort zone and made this sea dragon, her favorite piece, which weaves in and out of a planter.

Later she began creating other objects such as sea horse garden stakes, cow skulls and Red Mules that all adorn her garden.  She admitted she’s made hundreds of polymer creations and has plans to make many more, always on the lookout for new ideas.

Charleen encourages everyone to try polymer clay and advises to study and research before beginning. “I love to look and read to get ideas for things,” she admitted. “The first thing I did was type in 'polymer clay' [in a search] and I got a lot of information!" She said that YouTube has some good videos, too. While she would like to eventually sell her clay creations, for now, Charleen likes to make people smile and she gives these fun creations as gifts.

Another clay artist, Robin (Robynsnest), began her journey into polymer by wanting a home for her garden gnomes. She had been interested in the various clay projects she was seeing but it took her a while to muster up the courage to get started. Instead of trying something simple to begin with, she soon found that working with the clay was harder than she thought. Robin shared how she finally made the polymer work for her. “ I just started free forming it around a styrofoam cup … I knew I could bake the cup so it would help keep the shape in the oven.” It turned out just as she was hoping. 

Garden stakes are another project Robin has been making for her own plants, using Sculpey polymer clay. She uses coat hangers to hold the clay stakes and stickers to embellish them.

Robin also loves making fairy doors and has created a step by step turorial for them. She is currently busy making the doors and her garden stakes for an upcoming October craft show. She says that she's learned to be patient using polymer clay and that when something doesn't turn out the way she's hoping, she simply rolls the clay up into a ball and starts over.

A few months ago, Sally (sossman) was wandering the aisles at Michael's, and saw the Sculpey Polymer Clay. She shared that she “decided to give it a try. I already had a toaster oven that we did not use so I picked up some clay, a book of instructions and just got doing.” Sally’s first project was a heart pendant.  She’s perfected that and sold a few pieces and hopes to sell more in the bi-annual sale her community holds.

Making her clay too thin was a challenge for Sally when, at first, she scorched a piece. She admits she has learned to gauge the thickness of the clay, which is important in the baking process. The bright mobile that hangs near her pond is her favorite piece and the only one she has made for her garden so far. Charleen has inspired her to make some garden stakes, so that’s on her “to-do” list.

Polymer clay in the garden holds up well even in the sunshine and cold. However, it's advised to bring the projects indoors if in doubt, or when the snow and ice are rolling in. Adding colorful objects to your garden with polymer clay is an inexpensive and fun way to personalize your own garden with color.

Just try it ... you'll like it!

The Garden Art forum has several other polymer clay photo tutorials including Charleen's cow skulls and Sally's garden mobile. All of the clay artists will be happy to help and answer questions.

Polymer clay is available in art, craft and hobby stores and in craft aisles of some stores like Walmart. It is also readily available on the internet.  Scupley and Fimo are two of the most popular brands and both have several lines to choose from.

Photos courtesy of and used with permission by Charleen Harrell, Robin Beffa and Sally Ossman.