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?

Air-Dry Clay Sunflower Trinket Dish Tutorial

There’s something about sunflowers that just makes a house feel happier. Maybe it’s the colour, maybe it’s the fact they’re never trying to be perfect, or maybe it’s just that they remind me of slower afternoons when the kids were little and craft projects actually stayed on the table instead of migrating all over the house. Either way, this air-dry clay sunflower trinket dish has become one of my favourite “gentle crafts” – the kind you make with a cup of tea nearby and no pressure to rush.

This is not a precision project. In fact, the slightly uneven petals and hand-shaped edges are what make it lovely. If you’ve ever avoided clay because you thought it had to look professional or kiln-fired to be worth making, this project might just change your mind. It’s simple, forgiving, and genuinely useful once it’s finished.

Air-Dry Clay Sunflower Trinket Dish Tutorial

This sunflower bowl works beautifully as a ring dish, bedside catch-all, or even a small decorative bowl on a hall table. It also makes a gorgeous handmade gift – especially for someone who appreciates things that look handmade rather than factory-perfect.

What You’ll Need

  • White air-dry clay

  • Rolling pin or glass jar

  • Craft knife or butter knife

  • Simple sunflower petal template (paper)

  • Small bowl (for shaping)

  • Toothpick or skewer

  • Acrylic paints (yellow, brown, a little white)

  • Small paintbrush

  • Clear matte or satin sealer (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the Clay

Start by kneading your air-dry clay until it’s soft and pliable. Roll it out on a smooth surface to around 5–6 mm thick. You want it thick enough to hold its shape, but not chunky.

Cut a rough circle for the base of your bowl. Don’t worry about perfect edges – you won’t see them once the petals are added.

Step 2: Cut the Sunflower Petals

Using your simple sunflower petal template, cut out enough petals to go around the edge of your base circle. Slight variations actually help the finished bowl look more natural, so don’t stress if they’re not identical.

Lightly smooth the edges with your fingers and gently pinch the tip of each petal to give it that sunflower shape.

Step 3: Attach the Petals

Lightly score the edge of your clay base and the bottom of each petal with a toothpick. Press the petals around the edge, overlapping them slightly. Use your fingers to blend the joins so everything feels connected.

This part is quite therapeutic – I usually lose track of time here.

Step 4: Add Texture

Using a toothpick or skewer, gently press fine lines into each petal to create natural-looking veins. Keep the pressure light and irregular.

For the centre of the sunflower, press small dots all over the middle area to mimic sunflower seeds. This texture really comes to life once painted.

Step 5: Shape the Bowl

Place the entire sunflower over an upside-down bowl to give it a gentle curve. Adjust the petals so they sit naturally and don’t fold in awkwardly.

Leave it to air-dry completely. This usually takes 24–48 hours depending on humidity. Turn it carefully halfway through drying so the base dries evenly.

Step 6: Paint the Sunflower

Once fully dry, paint the petals with yellow acrylic paint. I like to add a touch of white to the edges for highlights and a slightly darker yellow near the base of each petal.

Paint the centre brown, then dry-brush a little lighter brown or white over the top to bring out the texture.

Let the paint dry thoroughly.

Step 7: Seal (Optional)

If you want a bit of extra durability, seal your trinket dish with a matte or satin sealer. This is especially useful if it’s going to live near a sink or get daily use.

How to Use Your Sunflower Trinket Dish

  • Ring or jewellery dish by the sink

  • Bedside bowl for earrings and hairpins

  • Entryway catch-all for keys

  • Decorative piece on a shelf or coffee table

Air-dry clay isn’t food-safe, so keep it for trinkets rather than snacks.

This is one of those crafts that looks impressive but doesn’t require special tools, expensive materials, or artistic confidence. It’s approachable, calming, and genuinely satisfying to finish in an afternoon. The end result feels personal and warm – exactly the kind of craft I keep coming back to.

If you’re looking for an easy air-dry clay project that feels cheerful and handmade in the best way, this sunflower trinket dish is a lovely place to start.