March 15, 2008
Sculpey III Polymer Clay Really Makes Me Mad
My Lttle Guy Broken Hearted From His Broken Sculpey Miniature Project:
I love polymer clay! In fact I even love Premo! polymer clay made by Sculpey. But what the heck was Sculpey thinking when they made Sculpey III!?
I've made a decent cane or two out of the stuff. And I have Sculpey 3 beads that I really love a lot. So why am I so mad? Because Sculpey iii projects almost always break!!!! Even when I've tried to firm up this clay by taking out the plasticisers before molding and baking it.
Both my kids and my cousin's kids have cried because of Sculpey III! After working hard on little miniature sculptures and beads that baked up beautifully, the kids play with them… Duh!! Then they break. Then they cry!!!
Cheap, soft and in more colors than any other polymer clay, Sculpey III is marketed to kids and to beginners. These two groups in my opinion, are the last ones that should be using it.
Polyform which makes the Sculpey brand has a variety of polymer clay products, some of which are excellent. My favorite one is Premo! It's strong and durable yet soft enough to work with out of the package.
So why the heck does Polyform bother to make a crappy product (IMO) like Sculpey III? And then market it to kids and beginners who will ultimately quit working with it out of disappointment when their stuff breaks?
I would suggest that Sculpey only offer their super great products that'll hook customers into their brand for life.
My son is crazy about polymer clay. When he makes something out of Premo it lasts. And then he makes more stuff. He gets better at it and I buy him more clay.
Wake up Polyform! You may think that more Sculpey iii is getting sold because beginners and kids want one of every color. But trust me, they won't buy more if it makes them cry.
I know you have just brought out the new Studio by Sculpey line that I haven't even tried yet. Maybe that's a good one for beginners… we'll see.
I also know there are other polymer clay artists who are having great success with Sculpey III. But my guess is they're not following the directions on the package and have their own way to make it more durable.
My suggestion to Polyform is to make more colors and sparkly stuff in the Premo! line for the kids and beginners. And then get rid of Sculpey III altogether so that no one has to cry anymore. Polymer clay should be a happy experience for everyone.
Spread the Word!
Filed under 03: Supplies, 13: Musings-News by Cindy Lietz
Comments on Sculpey III Polymer Clay Really Makes Me Mad »
That was a pretty harsh post but it comes from the heart! How do you feel about this issue? Am I being out of line? Anyone have other Sculpey stories they can share… good or bad? Let me know…
I have used Sculpey III for years and have always been very happy with it. I have never ever had anything break, but I don't have children playng with my beads either. I occasionally mix translucent with Premo or Fimo, because it is soo soft, but I've never ever been unhappy with it.
I bake all of my beads at 260 degrees for 20 minutes, sand, finish with Future, bake again, for 20 minutes at 260 degrees, drop into ice water, and they are beautiful and lasting.
Thank you Beverly so much for your comment. I'm glad you've had some success with your Sculpey III.
It looks like you are baking your beads 30% longer than they say on the package, which could be the reason it is working for you. I'm also wondering if the ice water bath has a positive effect as well in making Sculpey III more durable?
Also, do your beads have any sculptural elements on them? Or do you ever make thin beads with a hole at the top that could break? If you only make beads that are more the solid type, like round beads are, it may also be the reason for your success.
By the way, it is good to hear you sand and finish your beads properly. I bet your beads are beautiful and would love to see pictures of them. Send them in if you can.
I have to admit, I am a Sculpey III junkie. You can read why here, if you like.
But you raise a good point. I have success with it because I have enough experience to recognize its strengths and weaknesses and to know how to make up for what it lacks.
Sculpey III can make excellent chunky beads, but forget it if you want to add any protruding parts. What Polyform needs to do is be more upfront about sculptural elements and their need for support. There is only so much room on a 2 ounce package, though.
I'm not sure what the answer is here, but I would probably cry if they took Sculpey III off of the shelves - it's the only thing I will cane with!
Oh Lisa I wouldn't want to see you cry, so I went to your blog to see why you like it so much, and I get it! Sculpey III does stay softer in canes longer than the other firmer brands like Premo and Fimo, and with your experience and using it in really thin slices sandwiched between the stronger clays of Premo and Kato clear it would work.
I will still recommend my beginners to cane with Premo and since I already suggest they make fairly small canes to start with, they won't have as many problems with the Premo as they would with the Sculpey III in the beginning. (Maybe in some of my more advanced videos I could show them how to work with Sculpey III.)
Also, since I teach several techniques that are sculptural and use thin sheets of clay, they will still need to use Premo or Fimo for those.
I am really glad I read your post however. Now I won't throw away the Sculpey III that I have and will not be as harsh to Polyform as I was in my post… Though I still think they should not be marketing to newbies and kids. It takes a lot of experience to use it the way you do and it will only lead to disappointment for them!
baking it twice and and ice water bath? hhhhmmmm, I need lots of notes! hahaha I'm going to buy Premo and give it a try . . . at the next Michael's sale.
There are lots of things to learn about polymer clay aren't there?! It's a good thing a lot of the answers are here in one place. :-)
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Fimo Clay, Premo, Sculpey - Which is Best for Cane Making + Sculpting
First of all, Cindy, your little guy is adorable! I'm sure Willow is as well!
I don't understand the part about giving the twice baked PC project an ice bath. Could you tell me more about this, or tell me where to read about it?
Thanks, Cindy E.
They are referring to Beverly's suggested tips in her comment up above.
Thanks, Cindy…I just don't understand what putting them in a cold bath does…scientifically I guess I mean.
Cindy, I'm not really sure what ice water does for the bead scientifically. I do know that it can make translucent clays clearer to place in ice water right after baking, though. But for regular beads I don't know of a benefit. There might be one… I just don't know what it is.
Thanks, Cindy…Interesting :)