Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Polyform Clay ;o)

Well, maybe not quite everything, but Angela's (aka CraftyGoat's) most recent blog entry does bring up some interesting points. She shares her notes from a Q&A session Polyform offered at the IPCA retreat, so this is very fresh information. I highly recommend giving it a look, if you haven't already-- especially if you regularly use any of the Polyform clays (SculpeyIII, Premo, Studio by Sculpey, etc.).

I was surprised to read that Premo no longer contains phthalates. I'd heard that Kato Clay had made the switch, but nothing about (most of) Polyform's lines of clay. I'm not sure how I feel about that. If the phthalates really were a significant health risk, then of course it's good to avoid them, but I always wonder how much things of this nature may be blown out of proportion. I also wonder how much of a reduction in shelf life we should expect, now that so many brands are going phthalate-free... (This makes buying in bulk and/or stocking up during clay sales seem a bit more risky. Better get busy using up some of my more recently stock-piled clay, huh? (g))

It was also interesting to read that the recommended temperature is a little bit lower than what you need for optimum strength. (Apparently the manufacturers prefer to err on the safe side. Can't really blame them there, but it's good to have the facts.) I guess people knew what they were talking about, all these years, when they've said you're ok if you don't go over 300 degrees. I know I often find my oven's temperature tends to creep up higher than 275, but I've only scorched something once, and that was because it was too close to the heating element.

Anyway... Good stuff to know! Thanks for sharing the info, Angela!

Back From a Long Absence

I'm not sure if anyone still visits this blog, these days. (g) Still, I guess it's never too late to try to get back in the habit of occasionally blogging about polymer clay.

Just as I haven't been blogging clay, neither have I been keeping close tabs on all the latest clay news. However, I have taken a peek, now and again.

I was surprised to hear about Pardo-- another brand of polymer clay that is new to the American market-- and then Sculpey's new Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay, which is a kid-friendly clay designed especially for children. (Angela Mabray-- aka CraftyGoat-- recently posted a review of Bake Shop.) I'm all for new clays (even though I still haven't even tried that formerly new brand, Studio by Sculpey), but I do hope "the powers that be" won't mess around too much (more than they already have) with the established brands.

I've never done much caning, but for a while I've kept it in the back of my mind as a "maybe someday". "Maybe someday I'll really dive into canework, instead of just feebly dabbling." Well, I've noticed a lot of chatter on clay blogs about a new technique that might make my (potential) future as a canework convert that much more interesting. I assume that most readers will already have seen this, but for those who haven't (and for my own future reference), here's a demonstrative video from PolyClayPlay:



This technique was developed by Idit Zoota. Essentially, the idea is that, instead of packing an irregularly shaped cane (like a flower) with translucent clay to aid in reduction, you can pack it with simple Play-Doh (or another water-soluble modeling material). Reduce as usual, then pull away the Play-Doh. Because it doesn't adhere to the polymer clay-- or at least not nearly as strongly as polymer clay sticks to itself-- you should be able to remove most of it easily. Stubborn bits can be soaked in water and gently brushed away with a soft brush.

Pretty neat, huh?
See, this is the kind of thing I've been missing out on! ;o)

Kato Polyclay -- Reformulation

I read today on Donna Kato's website that Kato Polyclay has been reformulated-- "gone green". The phthalates have been removed from the formula.

I'm no chemist, but I know that large amounts of phthalates probably aren't good for us. Because of concerns over the effects of contact with phthalates, more and more restrictions are being placed on their use in goods-- particularly products intended for children.

Donna writes that the new formula will be just as strong as the old one. It's even supposed to be easier to condition-- "but not too soft".

The packaging of Kato Polyclay will also be changing. Instead of the larger 3-ounce blocks, it will come in 2-ounce packages (like Premo and Sculpey III). For those interested in testing the new clay, there will be sample kits of four 1-ounce packages of different (but coordinating) colors. Oh, and Kato Clear Medium will be sold in colors. No idea which colors, but there's something else to be on the lookout for. (I wonder if the colors will be opaque or translucent. I guess we'll have to wait and see.)

I'm not sure when the new formula will hit stores-- or how the change in package size will affect the price of the product-- but it will be interesting to see what happens next. I've barely touched Kato Polyclay, myself, since I've mostly been happy with Premo (which is also easier for me to get), but if the new formula is easier to condition, I'll definitely have to give it a try.

On a related note:
On the Prairie Craft website, I found an update on the status of Donna Kato's upcoming book. I have no idea when it was posted, but the report indicates that the photos are all done and they're working to get final approval before sending it off to be printed. They haven't even chosen a title, yet, or set a release date, but it shouldn't be too long. (Still no mention of it on Amazon, but I guess that's not so strange, considering that it's not even named yet.)

If I remember correctly, this next book's supposed to focus mainly on millefiori. I haven't done much caning, to date. Every now and then I make a very basic cane-- usually for something relating to miniature food. Millefiori can be beautiful, but it simply hasn't appealed to me as much as other techniques. That said, if the new book is anywhere near as lovely as her last, I'm sure it's worth owning-- and maybe it will be the incentive I need to give caning some serious attention. There's a lot to learn!

Studio by Sculpey

I just finished reading a few different bloggers' opinions of the new brand of polymer clay-- Studio by Sculpey. (Angela-- aka CraftyGoat-- has a review, as well as a few links to other bloggers' opinions.)

Angela writes that from what she's heard, Studio (or am I "supposed" to call it by its full name, Studio by Sculpey, every time? (g)) will be sold at JoAnn stores, but not Michaels. I wonder what the chances are of Hobby Lobby carrying it? Pretty slim, I'd imagine, but it'd be so great if they did. The nearest JoAnn stores aren't very convenient for me, so I hardly ever go. I wouldn't mind trying the new clay, but honestly, I'm even more interested in the tools. (g) The "Style and Detail" tools look particularly interesting. I also like some of the shape cutters and texture sheets.

I was going to write that I wondered what the price range would be for the tools, as I didn't see any of the Studio stuff up on the JoAnn website, yet. However, the retail prices are listed at MunroCrafts.com. The Style and Detail tools (set of three) are listed for $10. . . The set of four blades with handles is $12.99. . . The textures sheets (2 per set) are $7.99 for each set (kind of pricey). . . and I don't even see the shape cutters listed. So the tools aren't quite as expensive as I'd have expected (with the exception of the texture sheets).

It's always interesting when something new comes along, isn't it?

Kato Color Concentrates -- now available!

For those of you who may not have heard yet (such as myself, until I was catching up on e-mail this morning), Kato Color Concentrates (the new product I wrote about in this post) are now available for purchase.

Again, they're only available in selected Internet shops, as of yet. They're supposed to be at Polymer Clay Express, for instance, though I think you may have to call or write to order them. At least, I didn't see them in the online store, yet. However, I did find them at Prairie Craft Company, where the set of three colors (the only ones presently available) sells for $9.99. I see that they come in 1.5 ounce blocks. For reference, that's half the size of a block of regular Kato Polyclay. A little goes a long way, from all accounts, so it's not surprising that the blocks are a bit smaller.

So, now I'm looking forward to seeing what people will do with this product, now that it's out. :o) I don't think I'll buy any immediately, myself. I would like to play around with it-- see what it can do-- but I've done enough buying for a while, I think. . . Besides, it's been so brutally hot lately that I'd rather postpone clay purchases another couple of months. (Last time I had clay delivered, the mail-lady left it in the car-- with no note about it in the mailbox!! I was rather annoyed, but fortunately the clay seemed unharmed.)

. . . . . . . . .

If you frequent the same message boards and mailing lists I do (though I'm not a frequent "frequenter" these days (g)) , I'm sure you've already heard of the new polymer clay that Polyform's putting out-- Studio by Sculpey. If I understand correctly, it's coming out in connection with the Donna Dewberry instructional system... or whatever it is. It even has its own website (http://www.studiobysculpey.com/), but as of yet, there's nothing there.

I've read bits and pieces about this new brand, but frankly I'm just not terribly interested. I mean, it's great that there's going to be a new brand-- the more selection, the better-- but I. . . well, I just don't care much about this product. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I'm happy with the brands that are already out there... Maybe it's just this infernal heat and humidity; it sucks the enthusiasm right out of you, some days!

Anyway, a few things I think I remember reading about Studio by Sculpey:

• It comes in a larger package than most polymer clays (...I think).
• It's aimed more at making items for home décor-- not so much for caning, though some report that it is possible to cane with it.
• It will come in 26 "toned down" colors (again, geared more toward home décor, where people are likely to choose "Lavender and Lace"-- one of the actual color names, I swear-- in favor of bold, brilliant purple or fuchsia.)
• It is rather "marshmallowy" in texture, prior to curing, and easily conditioned.
• It seems to be pretty sturdy after curing.
• It doesn't require an armature (for certain things, at least), as it doesn't droop during firing, like most polymer clay does.

Ok, I guess it's kind of interesting... Just as long as Polyform doesn't get rid of my precious Premo in favor of this new stuff. ;o)