Which Polymer Clay Should I Use?
September 12, 2009 | By
When starting with polymer clay it can be very difficult to work out which polymer clay is best for what you want to do. So I will give a quick run down on some of the polymer clays available, and what uses they are best for.
Sculpey III – This is a very soft clay that is very easy to condition. It is great for children to use, or those with arthritis. It can be quite brittle after curing, and is prone to darkening if cured for too long. There are a wider range of colors that can easily be blended, but color bleed can occur when making canes.
Sculpey Premo – Made by the same manufacturers as Sculpey III, this is a much firmer clay. It is still relatively easy to condition, comes in a range of colors, including metallics and mica clays. Its colors stay fairly true after curing, and is strong once it is properly cured. It is quite good for canes, jewellery pieces and sculpture. A good all-round clay.
Super Sculpey - This is basically a sculpting compound. It is quite firm, and is regarded by many as being the best for sculpting and dollmaking.
Kato – This is one of the firmest clays around. It can be very hard to condition, making it unsuitable for children or those without a lot of 'muscle'. Many clayers who use Kato have been know to hit it with a mallet to assist conditioning. That said, it stays true to color, even with prolonged curing. It is fabulous for canes, as there is no color bleed.
Fimo Classic – This is another firm clay, although not as firm as Kato. It holds its shape well, and is strong after curing. It is another clay that is good for cane work and jewellery pieces.
Fimo Soft – This clay is similar to Sculpey III in that it is soft and easy to condition, but is less brittle after curing than Sculpey III can be.
Cernit – This is easily conditioned clay, that is very strong after curing. It can be difficult for those with a high body heat to work with. It is a favorite with many doll makers as it has a lovely 'translucent' quality after curing.
Other than Fimo Soft and Sculpey III, the above clays also retain flexibility in thin sections, which reduces the risk of breakage.
Different brands of clay can be mixed together, as long as they are well mixed. In some cases this may in fact be preferred, as it can provide you with a clay that is more appropriate to the use you want to use it for. The best way to know which clay is right for you is to experiment. The right clay for you may not be the same as the right clay for someone else, and only experience will determine that. Above all, have fun with polymer clay.
Photo Courtesy of ColtPixy
Jennifer is a self taught jewellery designer and maker whose creations can be see in her studios HaffinaCreations and BeadsByHaffina on ArtFire. She also has a website HaffinaCreations
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