Just Got My Polymer Clay Online.

Finally, I got my parcel I bought in Facebook. I thought I’ll be scammed for I haven’t received updates. I was in between of getting nervous and being calm. Besides the seller made clear she’s busy, and that’s something to consider.

These tiny clay bars are super expensive, for me though. Just this four blocks cost me 500php. I think it’s not practical to use this if I will make huge arts. I was just curious. Once I went to national bookstore in Baguio but found none. So the choice left for me is to buy through online else I’ll to travel. Yay.

I guess, the size would be around the size of pingpong ball once you make it round. Sculpey III is soft when I pinched it unlike the first China clay I bought. I even felt crestfallen for it was my first ever polymer clay.

It took 5 days to deliver since the payment was done.

Unboxing the parcel.

Polymer Clay in bubble wrap.

 

Sculpey with China polymer clay (glowing in the dark)

See how small scupley is

I really have to put my picture, huh?

2nd Clay Attempt

I felt highly foolish and ridiculous of myself with this 2^nd attempt. I made better figure now, hopefully I you judge it as true.  But I still can’t cook well. It smelled awful and can still remember how the fumes hurt my chest.

My clay has a shiny finish because I use oil on it instead of the original clay softener. I wanted to try the original softener if only it’s cheap; the clay alone is already expensive with the transaction, fare, and shipping fee.

New thing I did?

- I put the tray higher so it won’t burn

- I put a card board between the foil and the tray

Results.

- Temperature. Since I placed a cardboard in a tray, the temperature detected was not higher compared when there was none. Is the thermometer accurate that time? During my first clay attempt, the thermometer detected higher heat faster.

- Smells awfully bad. Ten minutes has passed and I cannot take it any longer. The fumes are so bad it smells nearly like a burning plastic. Is it the cardboard?

- Clay. I was able minimize the burning but it’s evident that if I didn’t removed the clay after 10 minutes, the clay might melt and burn

Lingering Statements/Questions

- Cooking the clay in the stove with water.

- Something burns the clay. Is it the foil? Is it the oil or the high temperature?

- Wouldn’t the oil rotten the clay in the future?

- Is it really a necessity to use the recommended cooking temperature?

- Since some use ceramic tiles, temperature drops above while the heat is higher below. The heat is not distributed well.  What will happen if we don’t use ceramic clay and just lower the temperature?

Necessities

- I might need a ceramic tile

- I need something to resist the heat

Problem

- To cook the clay without melting it and burning the bottom.

Recommendations

- Try to use different card board

- Cook outside so the fumes can escape. (I cooked mine in the room)

The cardboard I tried to use.

My 1st Polymer Clay Art Attempt

Material Used:

Oven

Oven Thermometer (Optional)

Foil

Polymer Clay (China clay)

Plais

Head Pin

Oil (optional)

The clay is hard. Most of my first clays have baby oil mixed to soften it. If possible, I don’t like to use oil since I really don’t know how it affects the clay chemically, nor if it can rotten or weaken it faster than it intends to.

I put the pan in the lowest rack. Then I preheated the oven. Put a foil to avoid scorching heat (Even if I’m unsure whether my oven does scorch). Waited for just 10-15 minutes.

Then, when I looked at the clay, it melted. The cupcake doesn’t look like a cupcake anymore and the teddy bear was burned. I am wondering why the 2 clay doesn’t have the same level of burning. The end of the teddy bear was really burned.

I was almost anxious in my oven thermometer since it took more than 5-10 minutes after the arrow changed temperature. Did I just buy a broken thermometer? Found it not though. It just takes long to determine temperature.

I wonder if it’s due to:

-The oil.

-The pan distance to the heating element.

-The foil.

It was not in my mind to take a before picture prior to the cooking. But the cupcake has a bit of slants until it was cooked and became straight.

Tips & Suggestion:

Know how much you electricity you consume.

http://apps.meralco.com.ph/appcal/

Polymer Clay in Baguio?

So far, I found none. I went to National Bookstore. Their branch in Baguio doesn’t sell polymer clay or air dry clay, only modeling clay. Baguio is a popular place yet it’s just so sad that my trip failed. The staff in the Information Desk said that I have to order through Amazon and I have to pay the shipping fee. I didn’t ask for further questions.

But I have questions in mind after,

 -What is their commission if I order polymer clay through Amazon?

-Are they going to act as third party in the transaction?

-How long would it be delivered?

-Why do some branches sell polymer clay while other doesn’t?

Purchasing Oven for Polymer Clay

Finally, I purchase an electric oven for my future polymer clay projects. I did canvass for the cheapest oven with temperature control. I searched different stores in Baguio and even in our province. I also looked in Lazada but it’s above my target price

Three Ovens in my List:

3.  American Home

     Price:     P1,650+

     Where:      Baguio

I found this in a nearby mall around over pass in Baguio. American Home is a known brand and gives you this quality feeling about their products. But the size of the oven I’m eyeing was small nevertheless enough for a beginner, unless you will look for a larger one but more expensive. There is a 1 year warranty but the salesman wasn’t really assuring when he said that. There is only 1 day replacement that gave me hesitation to buy this.

2.  Brand Unremembered

     Price:     P1,600+

     Where:     National Bazaar

This is also a small oven in a dirty white color. I wonder if 1300 watts is a good or a bad thing. I was hesitant to buy this due to the brand and its old stock look. The salesman said they still have stocks.

1. Hanabishi

     Price:     P1,750

     Where:     SM Appliances Baguio

The one I purchased and was the last stock. It has the highest price among the three and also the biggest of them. However, it is the cheapest oven if compared to Kyowa and other brands. It is 1000 watts. Other than thermostat control, it has a capacity of 17 liters and 4 heating elements that would allow you to bake, broil, and toast. It is Rossitiere capable so you can use it to roast meat or whole chicken. Yet I know that those functions aren’t really needed in baking polymer clay. Hanabishi is a familiar brand for us Filipinos but I rarely see Hanabishi ovens. I wonder if they’re new in ovens, and if so, they’re still on their way in perfecting it.

Things I Consider When Buying an Oven:

1. Thermostat Control

2. Price

3. Replacement

4. Warranty

5. Brand

6. Design

7. Service Centers

Thing to consider too:

-The size and weight. I was not going to buy yet, but BF said it’s much wiser to buy it now. His point is to make the project working, a step forward. This is the part I fail to consider ahead. I didn’t notice it was big until they packed it in its box. I carried it as far as where the terminal is suited and this made my arms ache the following days. I was thankful it wasn’t as heavy as microwave. I realized that these are the times that being alone have its disadvantage.

I felt as silly and foolish as usual. There was a part when I was walking down to session road and became appreciative in a random kindness given to me by a stranger. There was a middle aged man with his family who saw me carrying my box as the rope slowly loosens. He approached me and fastened the rope himself. T_T Wherever you are sir, thank you…

Craft Haul: Eyepin, Fish Hook, Lockset and Eyepin

 

Just after I bought this stuff, that’s then I found a cheaper store but an online one. However, I have to enroll in PayPal or Gcash alike before I can start to buy. Each metal finding I bought cost P20 while a P20 in the online store could give you a hundred pieces equivalent. This happens to me most of the time. After a long hard search, I’ll find a cheaper alternative. Even though it’s a fate’s joke, I hope I would gain wisdom in my hard work.

Where to Buy: Expression/MartOne.

The other shorter eyepin I bought has a nicer brighter sheen and I wonder what this is made of. Besides the appearance, I want to be acquainted with the pros and cons and differences between the two have.

Eyepin

 

Fish Hook

  

  

Lockset

There is also a Gold one but I didn’t bother myself of buying some, I'm sticking on what's common.

Glitters/Confetti
Price: P12

I also bought this one for future resin projects. I wonder when…