KnightsArtStudio

Welcome to a world of inspirations! Come and let your imagination take you away! Read about polymer clay characteristics.

Polymer clay is a wonderful medium that has some pros and some cons as well. Some of those positive attributes are it's ability to adapt to any application, it can mimic any other substance out there that the crafter and artist might need, it is light weight and easily worn, it is less expensive than some minerals available, and that it is pliable. Being pliable means that it "Bounces"! Yep. When it is warm is actually bounces. I have dropped hot beads and they bounce away like super-balls! The compound structure is very forgiving to being dropped, over heated, and bent. For instance, if your piece of formed and cooked clay goes flat in the oven or in the hot sun one can re-heat it and then hold the item in the desired shape while plunging into cold water. Once it is cold the shape will "set" and hold. You can do almost anything with this medium.

Almost---it does have a drawback or two as well. It is that the very same thing that makes it so wonderful on one hand for it's resiliance to shock also makes it weak for holding up to gouging and scratching. It's strength is nothing like that of glass, rock, metal or other materials that jewelers are used to to. Therefor, please do be aware that care must be taken with pliers and hard wrapping materials.

The other drawback is not one that most jewelers will encounter and that is that when the material is very hot it can tear if enough force is applied. It doesn't tear when cold. You can freeze it in the freezer and then snap thinner pieces, though. (However, most of us won't be putting our beads into the freezer to freeze solid and then purposely attempt to snap them!)

I cannot aplogize for the weakness of the medium of my choice for the foundation of my artistic expressions, but I do wish to warn those who want to use it that it is vulnerable to scratches and gouges.

Thanks to all, Knight Light

* All customers who purchase an item requiring a flat rate ($5.00 shipping fee) box may get free shipping on any other items that will fit in the box with that item.