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bearyfun732 Apr 19, 2009

Does anyone know an air dry polymer clay that can be used to make claws and noses? I don't want to use an oven bake brand because those can have bad effects on the oven, and they may be not be able to be used for cooking anymore. I have searched and searched, but I haven't been able to find a brand that is water-proof and can stick to fabric. Thank you! Any thoughts and opinions are welcomed.

Tammy Apr 19, 2009

I don't know about the polymer clay, but I suggest Apoxie Sculpt
http://www.avesstudio.com/Products/Apox … culpt.html

This stuff air dries as hard as a rock and is very hard to break unlike some clay.  It comes in 2 parts that you squish together for a couple of minutes in your hands.  It starts to harden in a couple of hours.  You can even sand and drill it once totally hardened.  I use if for bear noses and like it much better than the polymer clay I was using.  It also sticks very well to other materials apparently.

teeeej Apr 19, 2009

Sculpey and fimo are both oven baked clays that are perfectly safe to use in your oven. I have used both and I know heaps of other artists that recommend one or the other.

bearyfun732 Apr 19, 2009

Tammy-thanks for the info, but it seems the local craft store does not sell apoxie sculpt. just my luck...
teeeej-my art teacher informed us that it was okay to do it once or twice in a bake oven, but after that it will start to toxidate the oven. so i don't want to make my mom have any cooking issues. I just did a search and i found out that some people leave sculpey under the sun to "bake" for a few ours, and it works just as well. has anyone ever tried this before? sounds kinda wacko to me...but it would be swell to find out if it actually works.

oh, and i found this, too (answers my question) -
Bake all beads at 240 degrees. DO NOT BAKE AT A HIGHER HEAT TO SPEED BAKING TIME. Baking clays at higher temperatures can produce a toxic gas. To prevent this, use an oven thermometer to regulate the temperature.

lapousmor Apr 19, 2009

Hi!

I sent you a PM. I just hope it can be helpful.

FIMO clay can be baked into a microwave in a bowl of water, which avoids toxic gas to be produced during the process.
http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/cl … rowave.htm
On that website, you will get more info.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

bearyfun732 Apr 19, 2009

lapousmor- unfortunately, my microwave broke a while ago. (no popcorn for me..) however, the stovetop version might work. i think ill try that.

teeeej Apr 20, 2009

Bearyfun I suppose it would depend on how much clay you intend to bake. For an occasional nose and some claws I wouldn't worry about it. They are so small the amount of gas given of is too small to worry about. If you intend to make lots of sculptures with the stuff then changing to an air drying clay probably would be better.  I had a search on the internet and there are loads of people who have used this stuff for a looong time in their home ovens. I wouldn't be so quick to abandon this stuff - it is easy to use and inexpensive.

Edit- here is a discussion on this topic. Has a few safety tips. They say that the gas released (from fimo) is hydrochloride gas. You really have to overcook the polymer clay for it form this gas. The only thing this gas will do is corrode your oven, and it does dissipate quickly. And again if you tend to make small pieces infrequently you aren't going to have a problem. Use utensils and trays only for that purpose and give your oven a good clean.

http://askville.amazon.com/safe-bake-fi … d=42779108

Also... http://www.sculpey.com/Products/PR_ACMI.htm

--------- Therese

artbyrjandreae Apr 20, 2009

I order my Apoxy Sculpt online from http://www.sculptingstudio.com You can also order from the makers of apoxy sculpt directly. I'm not sure what their shipping is like.  I hope this helps.

bearyfun732 Apr 20, 2009

artbyrjandreae: okay. i will try apoxie sculpt and see how it works out. but, my mom is big on shipping. she wont take any shipping order more than ten USD. im gonna have to find out the shipping costs.
teeeej: i practically begged my mom to bits the other day to be able to use this type of clay. she rejected, again...and again. i do not think it will work, and stovetop can release toxic gases too, so...i guess ill stock with air-dry clay.

desertmountainbear Apr 20, 2009

Hi Bearyfun,  If your mom is really against using the kitchen oven, save your money and start looking at yard sales, and Good Will Stores for a very cheap used toaster oven.  You could probably plug it in outside and bake, no fumes.
Joanne

bearyfun732 Apr 20, 2009

desertmountainbear: i will look into that.

kellydean Apr 20, 2009

on ebay and the shipping is only $3.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/AVES-APOXIE-SCULPT- … 0192871868

or a pound, shipping is $9.95, tell mom it's still under $10

http://cgi.ebay.com/APOXIE-SCULPT-Natur … .m20.l1116

and it's totally none of my business, but I wish there was some way to tell your mom that industry and creativity in kids should be nurtured and fostered, esp in an age where most kids seem to sit in front of a computer or nintendo game.  I started making & selling jewlery when I was 13, because a wonderful lady with a shop/studio in Chicago was so impressed by my interest in her work that she grabbed handfuls of jewlery findings and filled a bag, handed it to me and said 'there, take this and go make your own'.  I was selling to 4 shops within a year - and I never even knew her name. . . I'll never forget her, though.

in fact, PM me your address & I'll send you some mohair ;-)

PeachtreeCottage Apr 22, 2009

This link will take you to all you could possibly want to know about Polymer Clay safety.  I highly suggest you and your mom read it together :-)

http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/cyclo … ty_th.html

/bearhugs,