Stop guessing your way through polymer clay.
Build stronger polymer clay skills through deeper understanding, better habits, and professional working methods.
Polymer Smart Start is a self-paced online handbook built around 14 multimedia chapters, each exploring a foundational insight, technique, or working system that has become essential to my own polymer practice and teaching over the past 30 years. Through written lessons, detailed images, and up-close video demonstrations, you’ll develop the habits and understanding that make every future technique easier to learn.
STRONG RESULTS START WITH STRONG FOUNDATIONS
Polymer clay is often taught through isolated projects, quick tips, and one-off techniques. While those can be inspiring, they don’t always build the deeper understanding that supports craftsmanship, problem solving, and creative freedom.
Many polymer artists reach a point where they want stronger results, but aren’t always sure what to focus on next. With so much information coming from scattered tutorials, projects, and social media, it can be difficult to identify which fundamentals truly matter or how they fit together into a reliable working process.
I created Polymer Smart Start to help bring structure and clarity to those foundations in a way that supports both developing and experienced artists, and to strengthen understanding of the core skills that shape nearly every part of polymer work, from how the clay behaves in your hands to the quality of the finished result.
When I invited a group of students, artists, and teachers to preview Polymer Smart Start, their feedback confirmed that this resource made foundational skills clearer, more accessible, and more useful for polymer artists at every stage of their journey…
“As a beginner working with polymer clay, the information in this resource is invaluable. My goal is to perfect my skills and learn the best methods possible, and this guide helps put me on that path. I’ve already picked up things I didn’t know or wasn’t doing correctly. Your experience and techniques make learning this medium enjoyable and fun.”
“Polymer Smart Start provides beginners with a confident, confusion-free starting point while serving as the perfect quick-reference guide for experienced makers. It’s the structured, self-paced roadmap the polymer community has been waiting for.
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“Polymer Smart Start is a great reference guide to have in the studio whenever questions arise about the basics and more. Dan is a great communicator whose written lessons and video demonstrations support all kinds of learners.”
“Polymer Smart Start is an excellent source of foundational information for anyone working with polymer clay, from beginners to experts. Dan has gathered this information with the same meticulous care that he brings to all of his classes. I feel like my own progress has been supercharged through his teaching. His instruction is positive and supportive, sprinkled with a sly sense of humour. What’s not to love?”
READY TO GET STARTED?
POLYMER SMART START SELF-STUDY EDITION
$49 US$
Your enrollment includes immediate, ongoing access to all 14 multimedia chapters, allowing you to work through the material at your own pace and revisit the lessons whenever you need a refresher in the studio.
Price shown is in US dollars. Applicable taxes may be added at checkout.
“This is the best course I have ever undertaken. I have been playing with polymer clay for a couple of years, while attempting to teach myself by watching YouTube videos on polymer clay.
After participating in this course, I have become acutely aware of the number of preparatory steps I have missed. Dan writes clear instruction while providing a deeper understanding of the whys and how’s — why this or that behaves in a specific way by examining the medium itself.
I have learnt so much. I am very appreciative of Dan’s shared knowledge and experience.
I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to improve their polymer clay art.”
Good polymer work is shaped by dozens of small decisions and habits that many artists are never formally taught. These details may seem small individually, but together they shape nearly every part of the polymer experience.
Inside Polymer Smart Start you’ll find practical guidance on everything from mindset and studio tools to pasta machine essentials, clay consistency, mica control, blend theory, scrap clay strategies, cutting templates, blade and peeler skills, surface preparation, baking, and professional-quality finishing.
Polymer Smart Start was created to help artists strengthen those foundations through a set of lessons designed to make working with polymer clay more intuitive, more intentional, and more rewarding.
LEARN THE ‘WHY,’ NOT JUST THE ‘HOW’
Many polymer tutorials focus on copying finished projects without explaining the deeper mechanics behind the process.
You may learn the steps, but still struggle with inconsistent results, troubleshooting problems, or adapting techniques confidently on your own.
Polymer Smart Start takes a different approach.
Rather than focusing on a project, this handbook focuses on transferable skills and material understanding that supports stronger polymer work across everything you create afterward.
You’ll learn not only what to do, but why certain processes matter, how the material behaves, and how small adjustments can dramatically improve both your experience and your results.
Each chapter is carefully broken down into approachable, bite-sized instruction designed to help you build confidence step by step.
The goal isn’t to finish a project.
It’s to develop stronger instincts, better craftsmanship habits, and a more confident relationship with polymer clay itself, the same insights and foundational habits I’ve been refining and sharing with my students for more than 30 years.
“Dan, I appreciate so much the intelligence, wisdom, compassion, and experience that you bring to the studio classroom.
What comes across in this particular class is the true compassion you bring to developing this craft and these skills.
I hear from you: be patient, take your time, don’t judge, explore, get curious, be open.
This was just the class I needed.”
HERE’S AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE…
Taking full advantage of an online format that turns informational chapters into multimedia lessons, Polymer Smart Start is organized into four focused sections that move from foundational habits to precise technique and finishing…
POLYMER CLAY FOUNDATIONS
CLAY & COLOUR CONTROL
PRECISION & TECHNIQUE
THE FINISHING TOUCH
Each of the lessons within these sections builds practical understanding you can carry into every polymer clay project…
section 1 | POLYMER CLAY FOUNDATIONS
How I Work : A philosophical introduction to the working methods, habits, and mindset behind my approach to polymer clay.
My Polymer Studio : A glimpse inside my studio to see the essential tools I actually use in my polymer practice.
Pasta Machine Basics : How to use one of the most important polymer tools properly and efficiently.
Clay Consistency : Learn why clay straight from the package is rarely ready to use and how proper consistency changes everything.
section 2 | CLAY & COLOUR CONTROL
Aligning Mica : How to control particle behaviour in metallic mica-based clays.
Skinner Blend Theory : Understand the mechanics behind smooth colour transitions and why blends behave the way they do.
Skinner Blend Practice : A hands-on exploration of practical applications to strengthen blend control and consistency.
The Ends : Using scrap clay strategically as a tool rather than treating it as waste.
section 3 | PRECISION & TECHNIQUE
Cutting Templates : Hands-on techniques for creating repeatable, accurate templates.
Cutting Clay Shapes : Practical methods for improving blade control and achieving cleaner, more accurate cuts.
Peeler Basics : Learn one of my signature techniques and how controlled peeling opens creative possibilities.
Burnishing : How a little friction and refinement improve finish quality before baking even begins.
section 4 | THE FINISHING TOUCH
Baking : Understand proper curing, temperature control, and common mistakes that affect durability and appearance.
Finishing : Practical methods for sanding and buffing polymer clay for flawless surfaces.
Smart Start, Strong Finish : Final thoughts on process, craftsmanship, and building stronger long-term habits.
“I have so admired Dan’s finish quality since I saw his finished work in a couple of polymer clay art books.
Having learned a lot of things on my own, I’ve picked up many bad habits and reached many disappointing results along with a few great ones.
With these detailed lessons and explanations of why things work, I feel doors have opened to the quality results I’ve been seeking.”
polymer smart start IS FOR YOU IF…
you’ve explored my free Finishing With Finesse guide and want a more complete foundation in core polymer techniques
you’re new to polymer clay and want to build stronger foundational skills from the beginning
you’ve learned through YouTube tutorials or social media, but still feel uncertain about the fundamentals
you’ve taken previous courses with me and would like a dedicated resource focussed on foundational skills
you want cleaner cuts, smoother blends, better finishing, and more consistent results
you feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice, endless tools, or scattered information
you want to understand why techniques work, not just copy steps mechanically
you enjoy thoughtful, process-driven creative work and want to develop stronger craftsmanship habits
you’re returning to polymer clay after time away and want a more solid foundation moving forward
you’re interested in the style of polymer jewelry and surface work I’m known for
you want working methods that make polymer clay feel more intuitive, intentional, and enjoyable over time
Whether you’re just beginning or rebuilding skills that were never fully developed, Polymer Smart Start is designed to help you work with greater confidence and understanding.
“This is a really good course containing all of the basics and then some! I know most of what’s contained in these lessons after so many classes with you, and I put many of those well-learned lessons into practice as my way of working. That said, reading and rereading these lessons helps to remind me of some things I may have forgotten along the way. I feel so fortunate to have found you as a teacher when I started out with polymer clay years ago as your thoughtful and innovative methods put me on the right track from the get-go.
Forever thanks, Dan!”
“As a retired teacher I know how difficult it can be to teach a class with a wide variety of prior knowledge. Dan’s guide hits the mark, with something for everyone, with clear instructions for beginners, and helpful tips for those with more experience. This is a must have for everyone.”
“You’ve created an impressive guide. It’s a clear, logical, and very well-structured summary of the knowledge you’ve shared throughout your MasterClasses.”
“I think this guide will get a lot more people interested in polymer clay and give them that step up to go further in their exploration of the medium. ”
“Doing your courses is always twofold: learning to stretch creative skills through process, intention, design, and colour while also improving technical practice. Here you’ve assembled many of those technical highlights in one place, and by removing them from the experience of learning a new project, their importance really shines through.”
“Dan, what a resource you have created. You have gathered really useful, pertinent information together wonderfully, accessibly, and coherently. I will be including a link to purchase Polymer Smart Start in all my workshop notes with a resounding endorsement. It will be such a fabulous resource. Thank you, as always, for your care, thoughtfulness, and meticulousness in its development.”
“I think Polymer Smart Start is one of the most comprehensive summaries of the basics that I have read.
We learn these things throughout your courses and are so enriched by that. To have all that bedrock knowledge in one easy-to-reference and permanent resource is gold.
Clear instruction, deeper understanding, and a greater understanding of the medium itself.
I will unhesitatingly recommend this to anyone who does workshops and plan to include the link to purchase it in the Extra Resources section of my workshop notes.”
ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT POLYMER SMART START
On-demand access to the complete curriculum
Hosted in my school on the Teachable platform
14 detailed chapters focused on technique, theory, and visual understanding
A dynamic mix of videos, diagrams, images, and supporting text
Downloadable print-and-cut templates included
Self-paced learning with no deadlines or schedules
ONGOING access so you can revisit the material any time
Accessible on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
Designed for thoughtful, independent learning and long-term reference
“Polymer Smart Start has been wonderfully refreshing and enlightening!
Dan takes this course from the root of all beginner techniques to his own personal collection of expert methods, really showcasing that growth never stops with polymer clay and how endless the possibilities truly are.
From day one of my polymer clay journey, I never got the hang of Skinner blends, despite researching for years. After taking this class, I can now go back to where I started and create beautiful blends through simplicity, with little waste.
I am extremely grateful to have been a part of this class and feel that it is ideal for all skill levels.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Polymer Smart Start beginner friendly?
Yes.
This handbook was designed to support beginners while still offering valuable foundational insight for more experienced polymer artists who want to strengthen their process and craftsmanship.
Is this a project-based course?
No.
Polymer Smart Start focuses on foundational skills, techniques, and working methods rather than creating one specific finished project. The goal is to help you build transferable skills and a deeper understanding of polymer clay that can support all your future work.
Do I need a lot of tools or special equipment?
No.
In fact, Polymer Smart Start discusses how many artists can work effectively with fewer tools than they may think. Most chapters focus on fundamental techniques and working habits rather than specialized equipment.
What if I’ve already been working with polymer clay for a while?
Many artists develop their skills through experimentation, tutorials, and scattered learning over time. Polymer Smart Start can help strengthen foundational areas that may never have been formally explained or fully understood.
Will this help me create work like yours, Dan?
Polymer Smart Start reflects many of the same working methods, craftsmanship habits, and process-oriented thinking behind my own polymer work and MasterClasses, especially for artists interested in jewelry, colour, patterned veneers, and finishing techniques.
How long will I have access to this resource?
Polymer Smart Start is hosted in its own private classroom within my online school on the Teachable platform. You will have ongoing 24/7 access to all the lessons, for as long as my school is open.
Is there a community or feedback component?
Polymer Smart Start has been designed as a self-paced, evergreen resource without comments, critiques, or live interaction. This will keep the content accessible, flexible, and easy to work through at your own pace.
READY TO GET STARTED?
POLYMER SMART START SELF-STUDY EDITION
$49 US$
Included with your enrollment:
• Immediate access to all 14 multimedia chapters
• Self-paced learning with no deadlines or schedule
• Ongoing access to revisit the lessons anytime
Price shown is in US dollars. Applicable taxes may be added at checkout.
