Technique of the Month: Polymer Clay Lace

When we hear the word lace, we get a mental image of a delicate, white fabric. Many times, we find lace as an embellishment on a wedding dress or made into a doily that has been handed down from a distant relative. Traditionally, lace is made from thread or yarn, but has also been made from materials such as silk, gold, and even silver threads throughout history. Now we can add another material to that list – Polymer Clay! 

How does one create lace from polymer clay? I’m glad you asked. Don’t worry, we won’t be creating thin strands of clay and weaving them into beautiful patterns. It’s actually much simpler than that, but the end product is just as beautiful.

The art of making polymer clay lace has been around for a few years now, and pcPolyzine wanted to share this innovative technique with our readers. The first step in this process is to find a suitable silicone texture sheet. If you’re looking for a texture sheet that resembles the classic look of lace, you can usually find them in your local craft store’s clay section or even in the cake and baking section. But “lace” doesn’t have to be that stereotypical design—you can get creative and use other silicone texture sheet designs such as leaves and different decorative patterns. 

Once you’ve decided on your pattern, you’ll need to ensure you have liquid polymer clay. There are many brands out there, so do some experimenting or go with your preferred brand. Apply a small amount across the portion of the texture sheet you want to use and gently swipe a straight edge, such as a credit card, over the area to smooth the liquid clay over the desired area. Feel free to add additional clay if needed, but remember that these are thin and delicate, so don’t add too much. After spreading the clay out, use a baby wipe (or something similar) to gently remove any excess clay. 

Preheat your oven to 350°. Place your texture sheet in to bake for 20-25 minutes. Once done, let the lace cool before gently peeling it from the sheet. Then incorporate the lace into your next masterpiece!

For more information about making lace, check out this blog and video tutorial from PCT! 

Do you have a great idea of ways to use clay lace? Send us an email and let us know!

A special thanks to Cindy and Doug Lietz as well as PCT for sharing their tutorial.