Start and Sell Handmade Polymer Clay Products Online!

If you’re thinking about starting a business selling polymer clay products, stay on to watch this video because that’s my very first business that I started, called Tiny Hands Jewelry, and in this video, I’ll share with you some unique things that I’ve learned over the years that you should consider before starting your own shop.

So let’s talk about the pros of starting a polymer clay based business. The first is what really attracted me, which is that the possibilities for what to make are endless because of the nature of polymer clay. You can make and sculpt anything you can think of and once you bake it in an oven, it turns hard and into a usable item, whether it’s a piece of jewelry or a sculpture, figures, art dolls or wall decor. A lot of polymer clay products tend to be decorative like that. Two, it’s so much fun to play with clay. If you’re a creative person, it’s very satisfying to work with clay and to create something completely from scratch with your hands. It’s the best feeling ever. Three, the materials and supplies are relatively cheap and easy to find and buy.

Most craft stores and online shops sell polymer clay products, and a 2 oz bar of clay costs under $3. Four, you can do so many things with clay. You can mix it with other materials to get different colors, textures, you can even turn it from like a pliable play doh consistency to more like a creamy frosting. You can do mixed media art with it and use it with other mediums to make something truly unique and cool.
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[CreativeHiveCo]

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[PolymerClayTutor]

Thank you for the shoutout Mei! Your advice for starting a polymer clay business is excellent! The one thing I would add is that people should make sure they use their product and "put it through heavy use" before selling it. Really cute products that sell well but are poorly made (finishes that get sticky, parts that break off, findings that the plating rubs off, etc) will cause the seller and the customer more hassle than it is worth. Give your products to friends and family first as beta testers and see how your pieces handle the real world. This kind of "market research" will make your life a lot easier in the end.

[saraamrhein]

Thank you so much Mei for this and all of your videos!! I've been working with Polymer Clay for over 10 years now and I absolutely love it. And you are so right, the possibilities are endless and it gets addictive very quickly. I will say however that the point about perceived value is not necessarily true. I really think it depends on what you are doing with the clay. I had a B&M shop for many years where I exclusively sold my polymer work and made a very good income from it. My prices start at €35 and go up to €450. Some of my statement necklaces take a long time to make and they are what I am known for. There are also artists like Ford & Forlano whose work sells for thousands of dollars as well as some of the pioneers of polymer clay, like Melanie Muir, Donna Kato, Carol Blackburn, etc who also sell their work at very high prices. I don't always think it's the material that matters as much as your skill level and what you do with it. True skill takes time to develop and no one should expect to be experts overnight. I know there is a HUGE trend in polymer clay earrings right now and honestly, I think this is where the perceived value is being lost. There's so much for the same thing out there that it's no longer original. While it's good that polymer clay is getting attention for the amazing material it is, I also think it can hurt those of us who have using the material for years and perfecting our skills and therefore asking for higher prices for our work.

I will also add that my absolute favorite brand of clay is Fimo Professional, yes, a little bit tougher to condition, but the end results are so much better. There isn't any change in color after baking and no distortion when cutting and shaping, it will stay as it is. I will forever and always be a Fimo professional girl! Thanks again Mei for all your videos! I am learning so much from you!

[marielichte]

Great information! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I can't wait to watch your other videos! I would really appreciate your advice on creating a website, or what avenues you have used to sell your products. Thanks again!

[angiescarr]

Glad to find you and thanks so much for the mention. Now I'm off to look for your other videos. Beautifully clear presentation. The craft world needs you! <3

[baileaff]

Thank you for doing a video about clay! As a polymer clay animal sculpture maker, this was so fun to watch! I hope that you do more in the future!

[soal]

Thanks for the info. I am teaching my grand children about clay an making things. My G daughter likes making the food earrings, she's 12 an she's really good. My G son is 5 and he has learned how to make armature and then clay an makes an action or fantasy figure. He's darn good for his age. He brought out some nuts and bolts and used them in one of his sculpture figures I feel so lucky to be able to teach them about working with your hands and being creative. My G daughter has a little sales thing going on. She made a cabinet type thing with cardboard and displays her jewelry in it an lots of family members come to her house and shop her items when they need gifts. She's done very well. I've been teaching her how to do sales..writing receipts and packaging for the customer.
Pretty awesome your videos help with almost all aspects!
Thank you ♡

[mushrm]

I just scrolled through your vids an hour ago looking if you have a polymer clay video 😂😂 this is very helpful. Thank you so much for your dedication 💕

[mermaid]

I just found your wonderful channel and i love how thorough and clear you are!! Thank you!!

[johnorr]

I just found you channel. I'm beginning to make sculpted pieces as dyes for casting silicone molds. I'm not sure how the molds will turn out, but it's going to be a great experiment.

[jessicacampbell]

Thank you for this video. It’s was perfect straight to the point. Subscribed can’t wait to watch and learn from you. Good job

[stasiaborginon]

Hi Mei! I really appreciate this video.
I do feel the need of some further explanation as how to prize polymer clay charms: because if one block of clay costs $3 then how should you include a portion of that prize If you only use a small portion of it in one charm.
I just can't wrap my head around that. I know this video is 2 years old, but I'd love a follow up on this one. Or even a polymerclay charm business serie!

You're doing God's work, thank you! ❤

[julialafosse]

This video was super helpful, thank you! I have one year to make my business grow and be successful before it is my only source of income

[aprilmathews]

Such a nice video! Very informative & set well communicated! Thank you so much!!!! 💙💙

[arianas]

I’m looking into making and selling polymer clay jewelry, but I also make jewelry or other types (beaded, metal work, etc.). I was wondering if those need to be separate shops, as they’re different mediums, or if they can be put into one, as they’re all jewelry pieces?

[DaisyEnchant]

Hello Mei! I’m so glad I find your channel. I have watched lots of your videos about polymer clay. Do you have videos or resources talks about handmade polymer clay figurines? I’m trying to start a handmade business based on polymer clay figurines. But having a hard time finding resources about the market. Thank you so much for making these videos sharing helpful tips. And all of your videos are well made and get to points. It’s easy to watch and learn during spare time. Thank you so much for sharing these valuable experiences :) I’m hoping to join your course workshop later in the future once I figure out what I want to make specifically.

[unmiss-com]

Customers wanna get value first. Before selling, gain a loyal audience with content marketing. It covers all the stages of a sales funnel and builds brand awareness. I do it on my YouTube.

[namgyalsherpa]

Please tell me which polymer clay is best for making products which we can sell.bake and air dry. Does these clay crackes after drying or baking. Do you give online training .

[Rain-efrj]

Hi! I watched your video on how to price products and I was wondering if an 11.60 profit for each product is good? I’m selling polymer clay rings btw :) I tried to do your formula but that means that my retail price would be $40 I feel like it would be hard to compete with that price ahhhh

[beautifulscarsband]

Do you use a specific oven for baking the clay, only dedicated for that purpose?