About Polymer Clay:  Polymer clay has been around for over a century.  Bakelite was one of the first forms of polymer clay available to artisans.  It's actually a soft, smooth clay-like plastic that was developed in a laboratory.  In the late 1930's an  artist in Germany (Fifi Rehbinder) was very happy to see this new product on the market. After experimenting with it, she discovered, and began using  a by-product of it to create doll heads.  She went on to open her own company and polymer clay grew from there.  Polymer clay is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is soft and pliable when it's raw and can be sculpted into just about any shape.  Once polymer clay is cured in an oven on a low temperature, it becomes hard and durable.  Polymer clay comes in an array of colors and those colors can be mixed to create many other colors.  Polymer clay figurines are remarkably sturdy and won't shatter, but delicate details can break upon impact and should be handled with care.  Pieces sculpted out of polymer clay are fade resistant, water proof and will last a lifetime.  A perfect keepsake for any occasion!