Bleeeaaahhh Such a disappointing trip to HobbyCraft store (Cambridge)

I do not visit HobbyCraft stote often and usually find craft-y things I need on-line, but I thought after Easter holiday the store is bound to be full of discounts and special offers.


Well, I was naive, even Easter chicks were still marked at full price. Ooo?  I went to the Cambridge store to get some clay, paints, liquid latex, varnish and just for general atmosphere of "hobbiness". I was disillusioned almost immediately. The shelves were bare, I had to fight for black block of clay, I have only managed to get my hand on translucent red Sculpey and 2 blocks of "brakemyfingers" hobbycraft own brand polymer clay (I reviewed this clay previously, you can click here to check it out).


At the checkout I spent 10 minutes (I am not joking), 10 minutes waiting for cashier find a bar code for Sculpey clay and packs of wool! Really? When I asked what's happened to the store, she asked me "what do you mean?" I said that the shelves are all empty, especially clay section, where nothing left apart from a lonely pack of mix quick from Fimo and overpriced acrylic rollers. I would have given her an Oscar for the answer: "Ahhh, it is a high theft section". I wanted to say that it seems like the whole store is a big theft section, but restrained myself, of course :)

Anyway, I am so disappointed, I wanted this trip to make my day and make my crazy busy life a little bit relaxed, but NO...Life is cruel :)

Well, anyway, the rant is over. Here are my bits and bobs I managed to retrieve from the store.

Not much, I know :((

But the good news were: I got my 10% student discount and that pack of acrylic stamps (bird and owl) was only 25p!! And it is their regular price. So, bear this in mind!

Happy crafting, folks and check my youtube videos out for some clay related topics :)

First impression of FIMO Professional Doll Art polymer clay (Skin Colours Mixing Set) + Doll's Art Lilly Mould.

Hi craft-y folks,

Please check out my first impression video of new Fimo professional doll clay set plus included dolls mold (Lilly).

Jumping clay review

I know it has been awhile since i updated my blog. Forgive me :)

Though to make it up to you i am reviewing a Jumping clay today or to be precise "Jum Ping clay" - magical modelling material. Indeed!

So, what is so special about this clay?

Well, first of all i think the potential this clay can offer to miniaturists and to decoden makers is enormous.

It is EXTREMELY light, non sticky, water resistant, does not colour your hands and when dries it absolutely feather like, and plus it does not shrink. 

Lightweigh as you would not believe.

I bought a 6 (i think) pack box at the 'Range' store (the one at Longwater Lane, Cosstessey) for about £4. Each tub is around 150 ml. Obviously the weight of the actual clay was much much less.

It is air dry clay, not ordinary earth clay though. It looks like a japanese resin clay, but with extra soft and airy texture.

Believe me or not it was an impulse buy and the packaging was definitely targeted to children

So it says on the box "5+".

When i first opened it i thought ...."nice box". My impression has changed dramatically when i start "claying" with this medium.

 Very soft and stretchy, though firm enough to take am impression. I made some molds with it and it is very hard with the slight bent to it. 

As i said the clay is not sticky, but it sticks to itself like mad. Also it does stick to its own hardened kind. When i tried to mold the raw clay and inserted it to the hardened mold - i was not able to remove the piece afterwards, so i have to bin the mold!! Thus be careful. But i think if you decide to make molds from it and use to mold ordinary polymer clay then you will be fine.

The clay does not stick to the silicone molds (relieved) and i was pleased with the outcome of these hearts:

After the piece has hardened i still can bend the handle on the miniature kettle without leaving any marks:

Well, i left the negative side of this clay to the very end.

When i opened the package i had to chuck out red and white clays, because they have hardened inside their tubs! And when i opened the green tub of clay today i found the rock hard piece:

 It is like a hard foam and believe me you will not be able to revive it. Dead!

What a shame. I was thinking of making more sweet hearts ))

So, be aware, that sealed tub is not a guarantee of the usable product.

Enjoy your clay.

P.S. i have not tested it for "jumpness"

Fantasy Demon-warrior polymer clay figurine 1/12 scale

Continuing with the fantasy figures here is another creation of mine: 

Demon-warrior

He is 1/12 dolls house scale and completely made from polymer clay. Also he is a complete figurine, means that he has got all associated with the men bits and bobs lol

Though due to possibility that children can browse my blog I will not display my warrior undressed.

It took me 3 full days to complete him. And I think I have to work harder to improve my sculpting skills :(

His attire (apart from the boots) is made from real leather. The shield is also made from polymer clay with the cardboard base in order to make the structure stronger.

URO POLYMER CLAY REVIEW

URO clay is produced in the UK by "Newclay products" and relatively new on the craft market.

I wanted to try URO clay for some months now and finally have ordered 5 different colours to try: white, violet, magnolia, pink and orange.

I have paid £8 including postage for 5 X65g “bricks” of clay. But if you buy more packs you can get each brick as low as £1.35. There is a good choice of colours as well.

Packaging: plastic, similar to the more popular polymer clay brands, though it is very plain, as you can see, but who cares? I do not. What I did not like is that there is no colour/tone identification on the “brick”, but again it is not something that is able to turn me off URO.

Now, the most important bit is coming: physical appearance, performance and pliability. 

Smell: err… the smell reminded me my childhood. URO smells of plasticine, not overly strong at all. And to be honest – I like it.

The feel: Right! I was rather taken aback when I have opened the package and tear a piece. It looked “crumbl-ish”, but when I worked it out with my hands the crumbling disappeared and I was pleased with the texture of clay. What it feels like? Have you tried KATO polymer clay before? If yes, then it is very similar: stiff to knead, does not leave colour residue on hands and workable the same time. Very “sturdy” clay, keeps the shape well, not excessively responsive to the heat of the hands, thus it is difficult to smooth the seams out.

 

Actually, coming back to clay is being brittle before kneading: the texture is perfect for ice cream and insides of a cake. 

Colours: colours are lovely and do not fade once cured.

 

Personally I would name the URO colours that I’ve got as:

Magnolia = vanilla ice-cream

Pink = pink icing on the bun

Violet = “violets”

Orange = Halloween. Orange is a gorgeous bright pumpkin colour. I was immediately inspired to quickly model 2 pumpkins. 

I have not opened the white URO; I guess it is just white lol

Curing process: Though FIMO these days can be cured at 110C, URO as per instruction requires 130C. When I was baking it the smell of plasticine was a bit stronger, but not annoying.

Baked pieces

Please note that i have brushed some glitter to the gummy bears, aliens and middle of the cookie before baking

Overall:

-          You need to have strong hands or pasta machine to condition URO properly

-          Clay keeps the shape very well and will be perfect for making canes and jewellery

-          Takes texture well, but at the same time difficult to smooth the seams out

-          Does not leave colour residue on hands – big bonus!

-          Colours do not fade after baking

-          Easily mixed with other colours and other clay brands
-       There is no traslucent in URO range - may be one day

      -          Clay is not very tacky but pieces can be attached to each other effortlessly

I hope this review will help you to make a wise choice depending on your craft needs.

I will definitely use URO clay for making miniatures.

I bought URO clay from here:  http://pollymcclaycreations.co.uk/ArtShop.aspx

Also I think you can find it on Ebay, but it is more costly there.

Spooky dollhouse 1/12 scale for sale at Etsy

 I completed the following project couple of months ago, just got the time to put the pictures out:

The table is handmade from soft wood and stained with the non-toxic wood dye.

I think i got the scale right :)

Miniature sweets and little treats

Recently I have been hobby-hungry: