Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Studio by Sculpey Review

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Studio by Sculpey

is the new formula of clay that has been on the market for a few months now.

It’s received some mixed reviews. Depending on what projects you are working on or what brand of clay you use, it may or may not work for you. I would say Studio is ideal for stamping, decorative crafts and using with molds, just as the projects on their website suggest.

With that said, I love this new clay.  While it won’t take the place of my precious Premo, I have been having fun experimenting with the stash that I purchased.  (I ordered every color after I tried out a few samples.)

*Color: Love the colors, the sophisticated color palette reduces the color mixing time.  Although I still found myself adjust the colors to fit me. If you like deep saturated colors, you may want to adjust Studio using a different brand of clay.

*Texture:  Studio has a soft, suede like feel both before and after it’s baked.  It’s lightweight marshmallow feel is fun to play with and conditioning is a breeze.  The clay doesn’t hold it’s shape for beads as well as Premo and I found myself mixing 1/2 Premo & Studio to get a firmer clay for the base beads.

*Caning: Yep, you can cane with it.  I cane with the softer blocks of Premo, a firmer clay is probably better for beginners.  You may want to condition and mix your colors and then let them set overnight. I like the clay better on day two.  Make sure you use a sharp blade!

*Finishing: I’m a matte finish girl, so I’m happy with a quick sanding to get rid of any fingerprints.  The beads feel almost like fabric or paper, love it!

I’m looking forward to getting to know this new product better during over the next few months.  Here are some of my first experiences with Studio.

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My first few blocks of clay were demin, pomegranate, whipped cream and after midnight.  I mixed up a soft color palette in blues and purples.

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The demin shades were used in my Aloha Blue beads.

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Studio used with my seashell cane.

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Stepping out of my comfort zone with a brighter palette and bold, graphic canes.

What do you think of Studio?  I’d love to hear from you and see your projects.

 

Comments

  1. I heave the same comments as you have. One more info.
    I tied sanding and buffing like with premo and it still stays mat even though there is a bit of shine.

    Loved mixing it with fimo or premo.

  3. Would not touch this product with a 10′ pole — it is marketed by Donna Dewberry who knows “zip” about polymer clay. It is just a marketing gimmick to sell her Polymer Clay Certification course. Polyform’s lost their credibility with me.

  5. Your work is absolutely beautiful! I am inspired to try some new things…

    Thanks for the review. We are going to give the Studio by Sculpey clay a try.

  6. Love it. Great for beads – l am doing a clay experiment with PC beads at the moment. Got cernit, fimo classic, premo, sculpey iii, Kato and studio. Studio doesn’t crack and l don’t get hairline cracks either. Color stays pretty much the same and after quenching the beads are dead hard. l think this stuff would be great if you wanted to do a faux fabric effect (i.e tassles) or thinner pieces as it is so bendy and plastic like in cured state. A winner for me.

  7. This sounds a lot like the “Ultra Light” Sculpey that I wish I had not bought. It was all I could find in white and felt like working with marshmallows. I am now using it like I would scrap clay to build up miniature designs.

Have you read?

DIY Sushi Bowls and Ceramic Chopsticks with Koi Wave Pottery Transfer Paper

If you’ve ever wanted to bring a touch of Japanese artistry to your tableware, this project is the perfect place to start. Using koi wave pottery transfer paper, you can transform plain clay pieces into elegant sushi bowls and matching ceramic chopsticks—handmade, functional, and beautiful.

This beginner-friendly guide will show you how to apply ceramic transfer sheets to create a set that looks store-bought but carries the warmth of handmade craftsmanship.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White stoneware or porcelain clay (cone 5–6 recommended) 
  • Koi wave ceramic pottery transfer paper (as shown above) 
  • Rolling pin or slab roller 
  • Bowl molds (small curved molds or slump molds for sushi bowls) 
  • Wooden chopstick dowels or ceramic chopstick molds 
  • Scissors 
  • Sponge or damp cloth 
  • Rib tool or rubber kidney 
  • Clear glaze 
  • Kiln

Step 1: Prepare Your Clay

  1. For the bowls – Roll out clay slabs about ¼ inch thick. Drape over a bowl mold or press into a slump mold to create your sushi bowl shape. Smooth edges with a damp sponge. 
  2. For the chopsticks – Roll clay into long, even strips (or press into chopstick molds if you have them). Aim for a slim, uniform thickness so they feel comfortable to hold. 

Let all pieces firm up to leather-hard stage—firm but still damp enough to accept transfers.

Step 2: Cut Out the Transfer Designs

Trim sections of the koi wave transfer paper to fit your pieces. For bowls, you can cut circular panels or strips depending on whether you want the design inside, outside, or both. For chopsticks, cut narrow strips of transfer paper that can wrap around each stick.

Tip: Think about placement—the flowing wave design looks especially striking when it wraps around curved surfaces.

Step 3: Apply the Transfer Paper

  1. Place the transfer sheet design-side down on the leather-hard clay. 
  2. Lightly dampen the back of the paper with a sponge until it darkens and sticks. 
  3. Smooth gently with a rib tool to ensure full contact. 
  4. Carefully peel back the paper to reveal the koi wave design. 

Repeat until all bowls and chopsticks are decorated.

Step 4: Dry and Bisque Fire

Allow all pieces to dry completely. Bisque fire according to your clay’s temperature guidelines (usually cone 04 for bisque). This firing will lock in the koi wave design.

Step 5: Glaze and Final Fire

Brush or dip in a clear glaze to seal the transfers, bringing out the rich blue detail while keeping the white clay background crisp. Fire to your glaze cone temperature (typically cone 5–6).

The Finished Set

You’ll have a handmade sushi set featuring:

  • Mini sushi bowls – perfect for soy sauce, dipping, or small side dishes. 
  • Matching ceramic chopsticks – elegant and reusable, finished with koi wave patterns. 

Tips

  • Keep chopsticks uniform in thickness so they balance well in use. 
  • Test the transfer on a scrap piece first to gauge how much water is needed. 
  • Try mixing placement—inside bowl only vs. outside vs. full wrap—for variety. 
  • Consider making a full set: 4 bowls + 4 pairs of chopsticks for a complete handmade sushi dining experience. 

This koi wave pattern brings both serenity and elegance to your handmade ceramics. The deep blue waves paired with koi fish designs make each piece feel timeless—perfect for special meals, gifting, or even selling as artisan tableware.

Creating your own sushi set allows you to blend functionality with artistry—every bite of sushi becomes part of a beautiful, handmade ritual.