How to Make Polymer Clay Covered Pens
Learn how to make polymer clay covered pens using a cane veneer in this post.
Decorative pens are fun to make and use and make great gifts. I’m using my Twisted Blends cane for these polymer clay covered pens but you could use a different veneer. I like to use cane veneers but a marbled sheet or a mokume gane veneer would look great. You’re really only limited by your imagination.
The pens I use are inexpensive and easy to find Bic® Round Stic® pens. I’m sure there are other brands that will work fine but be sure to test them first before you cover them with clay. Some types of plastic used in pens will warp in the oven. And be certain to take the ink tube out before you bake the pens!
Sanding your polymer clay covered pens after curing is an extra step and not necessary. But in my opinion it is completely worth the work. If you’ve ever handled beautifully sanded polymer clay you’ll know what I mean. Every time I’m sanding a batch of pens I question my sanity but the majority of people comment on how nice they feel when they pick up one of my pens. And that’s when I know it was worth the extra time.
Pop over here to download the Twisted Blends cane PDF tutorial or create another veneer. When you’re ready, let’s jump in and make some polymer clay covered pens.
Tools & Materials | Polymer Clay Covered Pens
- Non-porous work surface—I work on either glazed tile or glass
- Polymer clay cane—I’m using my Twisted Blends cane. Download the PDF tutorial
- Bic® Round Stic® pens
- Sharp polymer clay blade
- Parchment paper
- Small round cutter—the one I use is just over 1/4”
- Craft knife
- Wet/dry sandpaper—optional, but it’s worth taking the extra time
Directions for Polymer Clay Covered Pens
Disassemble the Pen
It’s important you use the right pens for this project. Use a pen made of the wrong type of material and you’ll lose all your hard work when it warps in the oven.
I use Bic® Round Stic® pens. Another brand may work but I suggest popping one in the oven to test whether or not it will warp before you put any clay on it.
Start by pulling the pen apart. Pull the ink tube out, remove the collar around the tip of the ink tube and replace it on the pen. Set the ink tube aside for now. Placing it back in the pen is the very last step.
Wrapping the Pen with the Veneer
Using a sharp blade, cut enough slices off your cane to make a veneer long enough and wide enough to wrap around the pen. I find 5 x 1” square slices work best. Reduce your cane accordingly before slicing. Keep in mind that thicker slices will mean a fatter pen in the end. Try keep the slices thin, about 1mm if you can..
Arrange the slices in a veneer. Cover with a sheet of parchment paper and burnish the seams. I just use a fingertip for a veneer of this size.
Lift the veneer from your work surface by sliding a blade under it. Place it back on the work surface and place the pen on top. Wrap the veneer around the pen taking care to match up the slices at the seam.
Gently roll the pen on the work surface to smooth out the seam.
Cut one more slice of the cane and use a round cutter to cut a circle for the end of the pen.
Trim the end with a craft knife to neaten, if needed, and put the circle in place.
Use a silicone tool or your finger to neatly join the circle to the rest of the veneer.
Roll the tip of the pen between your fingers to shape the veneer to the graduated tip. Trim off excess clay with a craft knife.
Baking and Finishing Touches
Place your pens on a sheet of paper folded like an accordion placed on a baking sheet. Tent with foil and bake at the recommended temperature for your brand of clay for 45 minutes.
Sanding is optional but highly recommended. It’s tedious and a bit fiddly and I don’t enjoy it. But every time someone picks up one of my pens and exclaims how nice it feels, I know it’s worth it. I use 600, 800, 1000, and 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper. If the veneer is particularly rough due to poor prep I’ll start with 400 grit.
After you’ve sanded (or not) place the ink tube back in the pen and you are finished!
What About When the Ink Runs Out?
Use a pair of pliers to grab a hold of the ink tube and yoink it out. Replace it with a fresh ink tube from another Bic® pen.
If you’ve enjoyed learning how to make polymer clay covered pens and give this tutorial a try please tag @bysandracallander on Instagram!
As always, if you have any questions or comments, I’m happy to hear from you.