I have a confession to make: my refrigerator used to be a sad, bare wasteland of stainless steel. No photos, no kid drawings, no grocery lists…just a cold, reflective surface judging me every time I walked into the kitchen. My old plastic magnets from various tourist shops had long since given up the ghost, and I couldn’t bring myself to replace them with more of the same.
Then I discovered polymer clay, and friends, my fridge is now a gallery.
I’d been intimidated by clay for years, honestly. It always seemed like one of those crafts that required either a kiln, a pottery wheel, or some kind of artistic talent I definitely didn’t inherit. But polymer clay? You bake it in your regular kitchen oven. That was enough to get me to give it a shot, and three months later I’ve made somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty magnets. My family keeps stealing them off my fridge. My neighbor asked if I sold them. I might start selling them.
A few things to know…
What Is Polymer Clay, Exactly?
Polymer clay is a type of modeling clay made from a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) base. Unlike air-dry clay, it stays workable indefinitely at room temperature and hardens permanently when baked in a regular home oven — typically between 215–275°F depending on the brand. Once cured, it’s durable, lightweight, and takes paint, sealant, and texture beautifully.
The most popular brands you’ll find on Amazon are Sculpey III, Premo Sculpey, and Fimo Soft. For magnets, I personally love Premo — it’s a little firmer than Sculpey III, which helps the magnets hold their shape while you’re working. Sculpey III is great if you’re just starting out because it’s softer and easier to condition (more on that in a minute).
What You’ll Need
Here’s my go-to supply list. I’ll link specific Amazon recommendations at the bottom of this post.
- Polymer clay — get a variety pack to start; you’ll want options
- Acrylic roller or pasta machine — for rolling out even sheets
- Ceramic tile or glass work surface — clay won’t stick to it
- Craft knife or clay blade — for clean cuts
- Cookie cutters or shape cutters — small sizes (1–2 inch) work best for magnets
- Texture stamps or household items — lace, leaves, bubble wrap all make great impressions
- Oven thermometer — your oven’s temperature dial is often a liar; trust but verify
- Parchment paper — to bake your pieces on
- Strong disc magnets (neodymium) — these are the key to a magnet that actually holds something
- E6000 adhesive — for attaching the magnet to the clay after baking
- Acrylic paint (optional) — for painting details on raw-clay pieces before baking
- Mod Podge — for a finished, professional look
Total startup cost for all of this runs about $25–$40. After that, a single block of clay ($2–$4) can make 8–12 magnets easily.
(Affiliate disclaimer: links help support this blog at no extra cost to you.)
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