When customers pick up my earrings, it’s almost always the same moment: a brief astonishment. So light. Almost nothing. And then the question – what are they actually made of? Polymer clay is the material that has captivated me since winter 2018. The name might initially sound like chemistry or a craft class. What’s behind it is actually much simpler – and at the same time more astonishing than one might first think.
In this blog post, you'll find the following topics:
What polymer clay actually is – and what it isn't Why polymer clay is perfect for jewelry How polymer clay jewelry is made – a look behind the scenes Handmade quality that shows Color embedded in the material Is polymer clay safe – and how long does it last? A material that endures FAQs about Polymer Clay
What polymer clay actually is – and what it isn't
Polymer clay is not real clay. It doesn't come from the earth, isn't fired like ceramics, and has little in common with the gray lump from a pottery class. In fact, it's a PVC-based synthetic resin that hardens in the oven at around 130 degrees Celsius – not in a kiln, not in a pottery workshop, but simply in the kitchen.
Before baking, polymer clay is soft and malleable like playdough. You can roll it, cut it, emboss it, add textures, mix colors. After baking, it's firm, light, and surprisingly stable – nothing about it reminds you of the soft piece you held before.
What polymer clay is not: brittle like ceramics, heavy like metal, delicate like glass. This makes it a material that plays a unique role in jewelry making.
Hand-mixed colors of Polymer Clay walnut &cherry
Why polymer clay is perfect for jewelry
The most obvious advantage is clear – or rather, on the ear. Polymer clay earrings are feather-light. Anyone with sensitive ears or who knows the pain of heavy earrings after a long day will immediately notice the difference. The weight changes how jewelry feels – and whether you even wear it.
Then there's the malleability. Polymer clay can be shaped into almost any form – round, oval, asymmetrical, textured, smooth. And it's not limited to jewelry: walnut&cherry also creates suncatchers and small vases for dried flowers from the same material. This versatility is one of the reasons why I haven't worked with any other material that has captivated me so much.
I consciously chose this material back then – not because it's easy, but because it suits what I wanted to create: jewelry that is light, feels like nothing, and yet has a clear form.
Three qualities that make polymer clay an ideal jewelry material:
- Exceptional lightness – even larger earrings cause hardly any pull on the ear
- High dimensional stability after baking – no bending, no breaking in everyday life
- Unlimited color design – tones are mixed directly into the material, not painted on
How polymer clay jewelry is made – a look behind the scenes
Before a finished earring arrives at your door, it goes through several steps. The process begins long before it enters the oven.
First, the polymer clay is conditioned – meaning it's kneaded until it's uniformly soft and pliable. This might sound minor, but it's crucial: poorly conditioned clay will bubble during baking and won't have a smooth surface. Then comes the actual work – shaping, rolling, cutting, embossing. Each shape is created individually, by hand.
Three steps that turn raw polymer clay into a finished earring:
- Conditioning and shaping: The clay is kneaded until soft, rolled out, and shaped as desired – only well-conditioned clay results in a smooth, clean surface.
- Baking: At 130°C, the polymer clay hardens in the oven – for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the shape.
- Finishing: Edges are smoothed, eyelets are inserted, and elements of brass, wood, or stainless steel are added.
Handmade quality that shows
Each piece is created individually. This also means that no two earrings are exactly alike. Small differences in shape, slight variations in surface – these are not flaws. This is handmade craftsmanship.
I notice it myself when I pick up a finished pair. Sometimes one edge is a little different from the other. A surface has a texture that I didn't consciously create, but which remains – because it's part of the piece. This cannot be reproduced, and I don't want it to be. It is precisely what distinguishes handmade jewelry from everything else.
Whoever wears an earring from walnut&cherry wears something that has never seen an assembly line – and that you can feel, even if you can't quite describe it.
Color that's integral to the material
What differentiates polymer clay from many other materials: The color is not painted on. It is integral to the material itself. I mix all shades myself – from various primary colors, I create exactly the eucalyptus green, light lilac, or warm sand you see in my pieces. No paint that peels. No print that fades. The color stays because it is part of the material.
This gives me a creative freedom I don't know with any other material. I can adjust a color until it's just right – and then reproduce it again and again. Or intentionally vary it because a new season calls for a new mood.
Especially in combinations with wood, brass, or rattan, the color scheme plays a central role: The polymer clay must match the material, not compete with it.
self-mixed polymer clay colors
Polymer Clay is more than just a material
It's the material that determines how a piece looks, how it feels, and how long it lasts. Light enough to be worn all day, pliable enough to realize any idea, and colorfast enough to look the same after years as it did on the first day. For me, it's not Plan B – it's the first choice.
Is polymer clay safe – and how long does it last?
These are the questions I get asked most often. I'll answer them as directly as possible.
Polymer clay is chemically inert after baking. This means it doesn't release anything, doesn't react with the skin, and is considered safe for everyday use. For people with nickel allergies, it's particularly important to know that polymer clay itself does not contain nickel – the metal parts used are relevant here. At walnut&cherry, I use earring hooks and studs made of stainless steel, which do not contain nickel and are skin-friendly.
Polymer clay is more robust than it looks. With normal care, it lasts a very long time – and brief contact with moisture is not a problem. What harms it: prolonged wetness, direct heat, aggressive cleaning agents, and sharp objects that put pressure on the surface.
Three questions customers most frequently ask about polymer clay:
- Can I wear the earrings during sports? – For occasional use, yes, but sweat and friction can damage surfaces over time.
- Are polymer clay earrings waterproof? – Brief contact, yes; prolonged wetness should be avoided.
- How do I clean polymer clay jewelry? – With a dry or slightly damp soft cloth, without chemicals.
A material that lasts
I have tried many materials in recent years. None of them has fascinated me as much as polymer clay. Not because it is easy - it isn't always. But because it allows so much scope. Because with the same material, you can make a simple stud earring and a large, colorful hoop, a filigree hanging suncatcher or a small vase for dried flowers. The result always looks different - the material remains the same.
Featherlight. Beautiful. Handmade. This is not just a claim - it describes very concretely what polymer clay as a material delivers and what I make from it. Every piece that comes from my small studio in the Black Forest has gone through this process.
If you're curious: take a look at the polymer clay earrings at walnut&cherry. You'll find hoops, stud earrings and combinations with wood, brass and rattan - all handmade, all featherlight.
FAQs about Polymer Clay
Is polymer clay the same as Fimo?
Fimo is a brand name – like Kleenex for tissues. Polymer clay is the generic term for all products of this type, which also include Fimo, Premo, Cernit, and others. I work with different types, depending on the properties I need for a particular piece. The basic structure and processing are very similar for all types of polymer clay.
Polymer clay itself contains no nickel and is considered skin-friendly after baking. For people with sensitive skin or nickel intolerance, the metal used is particularly crucial. At walnut&cherry, only stainless steel and titanium parts are used, which are nickel-free and well tolerated even by sensitive ears.
How light is polymer clay really?
A typical polymer clay stud earring from walnut&cherry weighs between 0.5 and 2 grams, depending on its size. In comparison: larger metal earrings can quickly reach 5 grams or more. The lightness of polymer clay is not just marketing – it is clearly noticeable in everyday life, especially when worn for longer periods.
Can I get polymer clay earrings wet?
Short contact with moisture, for example when washing hands, is well tolerated by polymer clay. Prolonged immersion or continuous contact with water – such as when swimming or engaging in intensive sports – should be avoided. Not because the clay itself would be damaged, but because the metal parts and glued joints used can change over time with frequent exposure to moisture.
Does polymer clay break easily?
Well-processed and properly baked polymer clay is not brittle. It flexes slightly and does not break with normal everyday contact. What can actually damage it: strong mechanical pressure or a targeted impact on a hard edge. For normal wearing comfort, polymer clay is significantly more robust than many customers initially expect.
Why does handmade polymer clay jewelry cost more than mass-produced goods?
Because it's genuinely handmade. Each earring is created individually – hand-kneaded, shaped, baked, and finished. This takes time, practice, and materials. Additionally, as a one-woman label, I don't have the economies of scale that a factory does. What you get is not a mass-produced item, but a piece made uniquely once.
How do I properly care for polymer clay jewelry?
It is best to wipe it with a soft, dry cloth; lightly dampened if necessary. No aggressive cleaning agents, no ultrasonic cleaners, no direct contact with perfume or hairspray – this will damage the surface in the long run. Polymer clay jewelry should also not be stored permanently in direct sunlight or strong heat.
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Hello, I'm Julia,
Founder, designer, and the heart behind walnut&cherry. In my small workshop in the Black Forest, handcrafted jewelry is created that combines lightness, naturalness, and design. I love the moment when an idea, a bit of polymer clay, and a lot of attention to detail become a finished favorite piece.
Here on the blog, I share insights into my work, inspiration from everyday life, and little things that bring me joy – maybe they'll bring a bit of that to you too.
