
In order to best advise my readers on good tools, materials, and supplies (and how to use them), I explore a lot of different products. Most I buy myself, some are provided by manufacturers, and I try out other people’s tools as much as I can when I visit claying events and retreats. Because of this, I have exposure to a lot of different products. So what do I choose to use in my own personal studio? Here is a summary of the various tools and materials I am currently using in my own polymer clay work.
These aren’t the ONLY things I use in my studio, of course. I use all brands of clay (depending on the project), all liquid clays, many glues, even more paints, and whatever varnish trips my trigger at the moment. But if I had to choose, these products would be the ones I’d take to live on a desert island. Keep in mind that we are all different, so you might find that your preferences are different. Your mileage may vary. But I can say that I’ve had good results with all of these products and I do recommend them with a smile.
If you’re brand new to polymer clay and are looking for the tools you need to get started, you’ll find a comprehensive article here that explains how to get started without buying more than you need.

Tools I Use in my Studio
- Atlas 180 (read the review here) – mine has been modified by Ed Street and Mona Kissel
- Lucy Clay Tools LC Mammoth (review here)
- X-acto Knife
- Ejiubas Tools
- Sculpey Tool Organizer (review here)
- Czextruder (review here)
- Makins discs
- Coin book to hold discs
- Makins core adapter (makes hollow tubing)
- Homemade needle tools
- Variable speed heat gun
- Glass work surface
- Kemper Kutters
- Premo graduated cutters
- Sculpey silicone mat (for travel)
- Hand micro drill (review here)
- Dremel with flex shaft
- Sculpey Hollow Bead Maker
- Baking trays

Supplies I Use in my Studio
- These cheap brushes
- Premo polymer clay
- Cernit polymer clay (read review)
- Pardo Translucent polymer clay (read review)
- Pearl Ex mica powder (see color chart and online comparison tool)
- Ranger Alcohol Inks (read about them here)
- Ceramcoat acrylic paint
- Varathane (gloss) or DuraClear Ultramatte (see sealer test results here)
- Pan Pastels including these trays
- Swellegant sealer
- Kato Liquid Polyclay (read about liquid clay here)
- Sculpey Clay Softener
- Loctite Gel control (read about glues here)
- Deli sheets (what are deli sheets?)
- Huggies baby wipes, unscented “simply clean”
A note about the links. Because I have readers all over the world, I can’t link to one good source for everyone. So I’ve linked to sites that will allow you to get enough information about the product to source it from a supplier that has good prices in your location. The Amazon links are affiliate links, and I do get a tiny percentage if you buy through them. But please buy from the source that makes the most sense for you!
8 thoughts on “Tools and Materials I Use in my Studio”
I am trying to order a pasta machine from Ed Street and cannot find the link to order one.
Here you go: https://www.edscolors.com/
What about slicing or cutting or tissue blades? Any particular brand you use or recommend? I need to buy some and there are so many to choose from!
Choose whatever size works for you. I like to keep a longer, stiff blade for general clay work, allowing it to be rather dull for safety. Then I keep a very sharp, short, flexible tissue blade specifically for slicing canes and shaving mica shift.
Thank you. Such a great help and ideas.
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Great information and superbly presented. Thank you
Wonderful, Ginger! And I have a fewe of these tools because of your recommendation!
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