I see exciting things to come this year for the whole polymer clay industry.” ~Cindy-L
2010-01-05 Update: I received an email from Polyform this morning, requesting that I remove the embeded slide show originally included with this post. It was “…a proprietary presentation created for internal company use only.” That information was published without permission by a third party, on a social media site, which is where I obtained the publicly available embed code for the slide presentation. Polyform is currently taking measures to have the slide show removed from the Internet. And in support of their efforts, I feel obligated to remove the slide show from my web site as well. I have also modified the text of my article below, to remove any references made that were based on information presented in the slide show. My apologies to everyone who has been inconvenienced by this situation. ~Cindy Lietz
The makers of Premo Sculpey, recently announced some upcoming packaging changes and additions to their 2010 Polyform product lineup. The slide show posted further down on this page, was brought to my attention by Janet Allen, a valued contributor here at the blog. Thank you Janet!
I just want to take a moment to thank everyone for letting me know about this kind of news. Whenever possible, I’m happy to use my blog to help get the word out for everyone’s benefit. So when you hear about breaking industry information in our polymer clay world, by all means send me an email with the details.
<< Four paragraphs removed since they made reference to information in the unofficial slide show about packaging changes for Premo Sculpey Polymer Clay and various other Polyform Products.>>
It is fantastic to see the direction Polyform is heading. Many of us, for many years now, have treated polymer clay (especially Premo) as a medium for creating beautiful jewelry beads. But for the general public walking down the aisle of a craft store, it has been perceived more as something that kid’s play with.
These enhancements to the Polyform product line and packaging, should go a long way to help elevate the perception of polymer clay, to the respected level it deserves… as an art medium.
<< One paragraph and the unofficial slide show presentation have been removed from this part of the article.>>
I see exciting things to come this year for the whole polymer clay industry. I hope you will join the community here and come along for the ride. It will be a creative journey for sure.
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| ** Win Some Beads: Would you like to win a gift package of handmade beads made by me personally? If so, I sure would appreciate your feedback about a new giveaway contest I’m thinking about launching: Polymer Clay Beads, Handmade by Cindy Lietz | ||
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About 3 months ago I bough a pack of Premo with the new packagin. It was really strange becasue I got it from Hobby Lobby and there was only one with the new label. I think I commented about it on this site. I like the new packaging. I wish that there was more of a distinction between the Premo and Sculpy packages; they continue to look pretty similar.
I hope that my local craft store will finally get some Premo and the tools!
What seems to be the best line of clays to stock in a store, I am opening a store and have silver, cooper clays, tools, starter kits etc. Is sculpy bake shop product the one?
@Lori Durenleau: The three main “artist quality clays” are Premo Sculpey, Kato, and Fimo. Sculpey Bake Shop is a kids clay…not very good quality. Where are you located? That might dictate which would be the best choice. I live in So. Calif., and I have local Michael’s and JoAnn’s that take care of my Premo/Fimo needs. However, the only way for me to get Kato is online. Kato is considered the best clay for several things, including precision cane-making. So Kato would be an excellent one to carry, although Premo is also a good choice. (I would choose one of these two.) But then, it’s a matter of preference — everyone has their favorites! You’ll find that other members will have different opinions… Best of luck with your shop!
Does premo have a larger transparent clay and I see they will have sculpey 3 with larger sizes, wondering if premo will have bigger sizes that we mostly use.
Cindy;
You always seem to come up with bigger and better ideas. I for one would love the chance to win some of your beads. Let the fun begin.
The slideshow was informative. Good to see the company investing in their line of products. Premo is still the best thing out there, in my opinion.
I would love to join the contest to win Cindy’s beads. I just got home from the hospital after eight days of a double surgery. One was for a plate in my lower back and back in for a blood clot in my leg. I have a lot of reading to catch up on, but I know I can do it, because I love everything about this site. Cindy, all the friendly girls,and all the great things to learn. Well back to reading. Honey……..West Palm Beach, Fl.
Thanks for the comments guys!
@Michelle: Premo has come in the larger 1 lb blocks for years now, although most stores still do not carry it. You will most likely need to order it online.
@Helen: Sorry to hear that you have needed so much medical attention. I hope you are on the mend now. We missed your cheerful voice around here. Glad to have you back!
Received your email, I just got my email program set up again. Thanks so much. I like being able to read and watch videos with my coffee in the mornings.
I do have one more question, when reading the blog articles each day, there are times that I would like to respond to a certain subject. But I am not sure if it is the right time. Maybe my thinking is off but it seems like the subject is not open to any more response, I know there is space provided for sending messages, I also don’t want my response to run over to the next post. If I am not clear on this I am sorry. I just don’t know how to explain it.
Thanks Barb
Hi Barb,
I wanted to respond to your question publicly because the information will be helpful for others as well. My policy is that it’s always the right time to respond to something if you have something to say. This blog community is all about having helpful, supportive and respectful conversations. So feel free to speak up whenever and wherever you feel it’s appropriate… even on topics and threads that have not received any activity for a long time.
When you participate in a conversation here at the blog, it’s a good idea to use the email subscribe option which will automatically alert you when someone responds. I reply to as many of the comments as I can. But I’m also happy to see conversations develop on their own, even if I don’t have time to jump in. So have fun, be yourself, and make lots of friends :-)
~Cindy
PS: I love it that the blog here and my video tutorials get to be part of your day along with your morning coffee. Thanks for mentioning that. It means a lot to hear you say that.
I’m fine with the new packaging as long as they don’t mess with the formula! I like way Premo works for me and with me to create. That said, I am glad to see a shift toward more “adult” projects. As as for being interested in winning some of your beads, all I can saw is “where do I sign up”! I love bead exchanges because you get to see how other people take and use the clay and what they can come up with. I can only imagine that yours will be fantastic!
Janet- thanks for letting Cindy know about the slide show.
NOTE TO ANNA: In light of the update to this article, I had to delete some of your comment here. Sorry ’bout that. ~Cindy
I wonder with the new look are they going to make S3 a better product overall.
2010-01-05 Update: I received an email from Polyform this morning, requesting that I remove the embedded slide show originally included with this post.
It was “…a proprietary presentation created for internal company use only.” That information was published without permission by a third party, on a social media site, which is where I obtained the publicly available embed code for the slide presentation.
Polyform is currently taking measures to have the slide show removed from the Internet. And in support of their efforts, I feel obligated to remove the slide show from my web site as well. I have also modified the text of my article above, to remove any references made that were based on information presented in the slide show.
My apologies to everyone who has been inconvenienced by this situation.
Hmmm. Think we’ll see an increase in price?
If so I will be only buying it when its on sale or when my crafts start paying for themselves.
Thanks for the news Cindy.
This is really interesting because awhile ago I took a survey with Polyform and one of the comments I made was that their packaging was a bit bland… I must not have been the only one! I have to concur that I truly hope they don’t change the forumla (or the color lineup) of Premo. It’s my favorite clay. However, I also hope they don’t go all “Pardo” on the packaging. These days, the less plastic used, the better.
I did not see this page when it originally went up, nor did I see the video. But it’s apparent it had something to do with new packaging, right? Well, I saw new Sculpey III & Premo on the shelves at JoAnn’s and Michael’s a few days ago (in Riveride, CA.) This was only for a few colors, I’m guessing they are just adding new stuff as they run out of old. I didn’t buy any–I have tons of clay, especially the colors they had in the new pkg. So I can’t say if this is a new formula, or just new packaging. The look is a bit different: the label is almost completely transparent (no white background behind the front lettering.) The “Premo” and “Sculpey III” names are bigger and more noticeable. I think it will reduce confusion between the two a bit.
BTW: The Sculpey clays were 50% off at JoAnn’s, but I don’t know how long that sale is for. Michael’s had their Fimo clay on CLEARANCE for 99 cents. They are getting rid of it, but I don’t know if they are getting new stuff in its place or what? Perhaps new formula Fimo is on its way (or maybe just a new Staedtler label?)
I saw that slide show presentation and noticed that one of their new products was for a set of mini shape cutters targeted at jewelry artists. I e-mailed them yesterday asking when it would become available. They responded and said it would most likely be out by mid April and will be sold at JoAnn’s.
@Linda: Oooh, I wonder how “mini” they are, and what kind of shapes… I would love to be able get them at Joann’s (40% coupon, no shipping!) It’s hard to buy things like that online when you can’t see them up close. I’m looking forward to this. Thanks for the information!
@Linda: I had forgotten about your post, but I just saw it again and was reminded about those ‘little cutters’. Turns out they have a starring role in one of Cindy’s most amazing tutorials, the Blend and Switch technique.
I have also found that Michael’s and JoAnn both carry these great little cutters (and I was able to get them at a nice price using my 40% coupon… hehe!) Have fun, Kat
Phaedrakat – Alas, neither Michaels, AC Moore nor JoAnn Fabrics near me has them yet. In fact, it seems that the clay deptments in all three stores is shrinking. ::sigh::
Linda
@Linda: Sorry to hear that (and sorry for my ‘bragging’, LOL!) I did notice that the clay departments in my local stores shrunk, as well…before they brought in all the new ‘goodies’. Perhaps that’s what is happening in your stores, too. Fingers-crossed…new stuff stocked very soon! ~Kat