{"id":4826,"date":"2009-07-16T03:26:45","date_gmt":"2009-07-16T10:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=4826"},"modified":"2009-07-16T10:49:17","modified_gmt":"2009-07-16T17:49:17","slug":"sculpey-ultra-light-oven-bake-clay-lightweight-polymer-clay-beads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/sculpey-ultra-light-oven-bake-clay-lightweight-polymer-clay-beads\/4826\/","title":{"rendered":"Sculpey Ultra Light Oven Bake Clay | Lightweight Polymer Clay Beads"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Sculpey<\/p>\n

It Even Floats!
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Well I finally got around to trying the Sculpey UltraLight clay that arrived with my Studio by Sculpey<\/a> stuff last month. Wow, what a weird and wonderful polymer clay! So different from the Premo Sculpey I am so used to.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s some notes for you about this unique product. First of all, Sculpey Ultra Light comes in a great big package 292 g (10.3 oz). But since it is incredibly light compared to regular clay, the package is quite large. It’s actually about the size of 8 (2 oz) packages put together. And at around $10 or so, it is good pretty good value.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Ultra Light clay only comes in white and feels like a super soft marshmallow, though it is not at all sticky. When you pull it apart it looks quite grainy… almost powdery. Yet the texture is smooth and papery to the touch.<\/span><\/p>\n

In terms of ranking Polymer Sculpey clays for softness and smooth texture, I would place them in this order: UltraLight >> Studio by Sculpey >> Premo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mixing Premo and Ultra Light together produced a blend that felt much like Studio by Sculpey. Who knows, maybe that’s how Polyform came up with the Studio Sculpey formula.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was fun to discover that the Ultra Light clay actually floats on water. That means it can be used for floating candle holders and other such projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mixing Ultralight with Polyform’s other clays is how you can add color. You can also use Ultra Light to form the core of your larger beads, as a way to make them lighter (and cheaper). Covering this super light weight core or base bead with a layer of Premo, Studio or Sculpey III clay, works just fine.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the past I’ve suggested using a ball of tinfoil as a way to not have to use as much clay when making large polymer clay beads<\/a>. But using Ultralight is a better way to go if you can get a hold of some.<\/span><\/p>\n

A chemist from Polyform (makers of Sculpey products), recently suggested you pre-bake your Ultra Light pieces before covering with other raw clays. The clays will chemically bond together during the baking process and make them strong and crack resistant.<\/span><\/p>\n

This information was obtained by Anna Sabina at the International Polymer Clay Association (IPCA) retreat, just held in Chicago. You can read Anna’s conference notes at these 2 links: Polymer Clay Bead Ideas<\/a> and Bead Making Projects<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Now I tried it raw to raw and had no problems. But since the ultra light is so soft and squishy, it was a lot easier to pre-bake the core, and then add the cane slices afterwards.<\/span><\/p>\n

UltraLight clay can be drilled, sanded, carved and painted just like most any other polymer clay. It bakes up to a very hard and flexible product. Even large pieces won’t easily break or crack.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a strange clay to work with though, if you’re used to Premo. I wouldn’t think of using it to make polymer canes. And detailed sculpting with it would be tricky. But I am definitely going to use it now as a core or foundation for larger projects, since it is lighter and cheaper than normal polymer clay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using it with Christmas ornaments and floating candle holders is what comes to my mind. What kind of ideas do you have for using a lightweight and floatable polymer clay like Sculpey Ultra Light?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cindy\"Polymer<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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