Polymer Clay Message Board - Polymer Clay Forum - The Clay Store

the_blob · Starting Member Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

Hello my first post and im demanding answers already Embarassed

please bear with me im very new to the polymer clay scene.

Ive been looking around for a clay that i can work with and falls in line with my working style, i hope you can help, any response will be appreciated.

What im looking for in a clay:

No bake solution - I dont have access to a decent oven that will be suitable for the most part for pc's curing and the size of sculptures i would like to do (approx max sizes will be 18" high x 10" depth x 14" width)

So i guess that rules out the likes of sculpey and all the more popular media thats used Crying or Very sad

Longer working time - This seems to be a problem with most "air" curing clays, the working times are greatly reduced down to 2-3 hrs max before curing starts. I work a little slower so thats kind of out for me too although i can adapt to small parts a bit at a time, it just concerns me as i dont have any experience on what people call "workability" after 2-3 hrs, i mean is it like rock?

Catch 22 it seems.., i need a longer working time which baking solutions would offer but i dont have an oven suitable...,OR shorter faster working times but no need for a bake.

Also i need something that holds texture well as my pieces will be fairly well detailed and has a good long term durability. Armatures will be used in most pieces too.

The only other option i seem to have is to adapt and go with the "air cure" clays but i havent a clue which is the best one.

According to my net research the clays that will be best suited are Magic Sculp and AVES Clays. There are some other alternatives which im considering too like Makins Clay and Marblex.

Ive tried Efaplast Modelling Material which is horrible to work with, and tried milliput which is great but need to work fast but expensive for larger pieces.

So can some learned person pleeeeeease help me? .., im sinking in a sea of choice and my cash paddle isnt very big.

Thanks in adv

bl0b

flapdoodle · Starting Member Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 2

Hi there! i dont know the answers to most of your questions.. but i was recently sellin a product called jumping clay which is from korea.. its a resonably good polymer clay and i have an aunt who has been hooked on it. shes made hundreds of figurines with it.

PROS
- its air drying but wont dry so quickly as long as you're working on it..sprinkling a little water will help if you;re not finished with it

-when it dries the texture turns spongy.. oh an it bounces.. not sure if tts what you're looking for.. but i think it retains textures quite well as i've seen my aunt use it for leave patterns

-Colour doesnt run and stain hands (or so they claim)

CONS

- would be that its spongy soft after it dries (depends on personal preference) and probably more breakable then sculpey or fimo so a coat of varnish or something would be advisable to harden it..

-Also its disolves in water but unless you decide to take your artwork for a bath a little water wont cause much trouble..

Hope that helped Smile