Isabel Krueger rounded up some of the good notes and (sourced them even) and popped them into a handy polymer clay basics document.
You should have a peek and bookmark it.
Everyone always has slightly different takes on the basics and the variety out there actually helps each clayer pick their way through to what works best for them.
Check out this book on how to make polymer clay eyes and figures
I want to make embroidered poly pendants amd just purchased Sculpy clay. I’m a newbie and didn”t know the fifference in the clays. My question is can I mix Fimo or Kato with the Sculpy or do the ice water dunk to strengthen my clay? I don’t want to throw the Sculpy away but I don’t want my pendants to fall apart either. I need some suggestions.
You can mix Premo and Sculpey 3 with each other for added strength. These two clays are made to bake at the same temperature and made by the same folks. Bake at the Premo time and temperature for the best strength. I do this often. Fimo and Kato have different baking temperatures so it gets a little weirder. I do bake Fimo with my Premo occasionally, anyways, and it works fine. I haven’t tried it with Kato though.
However, unless you have those other clays on hand… if you only have Sculpey 3 right now, jump right in. Avoid making pieces that have delicate sticking out parts. Items that are solid with only low height details won’t be easily breakable. Make sure you bake for at least as long and hot as the directions and do consider going longer for added strength.
Ice water dunking won’t strengthen your pieces. The most I’ve found it does is more quickly clarifies translucent pieces or will seal small cracks as it shocks the hot clay. The translucent will clarify the same as it cools though so that’s just an impatience thing. The best strengthener is curing properly and using the better quality clays.
I’m interested in reading this document but the link doesn’t work. Can it be updated or emailed?
Thanks!