Polymer clay works perfectly for beginners and professional artists alike. It's a challenging, complex, yet versatile medium that allows you to get creative and get good results without any added tools.

So, what is polymer clay? It's a modeling clay that's derived from PVC (polymer polyvinyl chloride). Oven-cured ones are manufactured in a wide selection of colors and finishes and can be hardened to retain their shape. Here are 4 dos and don'ts of polymer clay that you should know before you get your hands on:

1. Is it safe?

This one is for our skeptical parents: no, polymer clay isn't toxic and doesn't release any toxic fumes while baking. It has been tested and certified as a non-toxic crafting material and is safe to be baked in the home oven at the temperatures recommended by the manufacturer. Not complying with the directions may result in color changes or breakage. Lastly, you don't need to seal it with any glazes or varnishes for protection; polymer clay in itself is very durable water-resisting plastic.

2. Can you paint it?

Acrylic paints usually work well when painting the polymer clay's surface, but some may tend to get sticky so, it's best you do a patch test first. It would be best if you never used nail polish on any polymer clay project as the chemicals tend to dissolve the clay causing it to turn sticky over time.

3. What to do when your clay is hard and crumbly

Yep, polymer clay tends to give off the dry soil feel when it gets old. But you don't need to throw away your crumbling clay; it's possible to soften the clay by placing it in a Ziploc bag and submerging it in hot water or simply put it in your pocket for a while. If all else fails, you can add a few drops of mineral oil or liquid clay to soften it.

4. How to store it?

Are you try to store clay minus the damage? It's not all that tricky. You'll want to keep the clay away from any sources of heat (like a sunny window or by the heater/radiator) to avoid it from being cured or hardened. It's best to store separate colors of polymer clay in sandwich bags or partitioned plastic boxes.

There's no right or wrong when it comes down to craft, and polymer clay is one evolving medium. You can make sculptures, miniatures, and jewelry. You really can't go wrong with polymer clay unless you've burned it or added paint thinner to make it sticky. So, let your imagination run wild!

Art Cove has an exclusive product line called clay & accessories that holds a variation of air-dry clay and Sculpey polymer oven-bake clay, so you get the best of both worlds. Not to brag, but we're one of the best online art supply stores in the hood. Buy art, craft, and other knitting supplies and get free shipping over $150.