tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312145685876120575.post5196355807601570842..comments2024-03-18T15:36:18.461-04:00Comments on The Beading Gem: 5 Polymer Clay Questions and Answers for BeginnersThe Beading Gemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10373750828368944711noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312145685876120575.post-32894165622105322092017-02-28T22:22:38.026-05:002017-02-28T22:22:38.026-05:00Staedtler, the makers of Fimo says they stopped us...Staedtler, the makers of Fimo says they stopped using phthlates since 2006! https://www.staedtler.us/en/inspirations/for-fimo-polymer-clay-users/#/tabs/ingredients<br /><br />and you might want to read this one from Sculpey :<br />https://www.sculpey.com/support/faqs/#topic-41The Beading Gemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10373750828368944711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312145685876120575.post-89556441931898751262017-02-28T16:00:10.531-05:002017-02-28T16:00:10.531-05:00And if you are interested in knowing more about ci...And if you are interested in knowing more about citrate esters as plasticizers, check this chemistry site :<br />http://adhesives.specialchem.com/selection-guide/plasticizers-for-adhesives-and-sealants/citrates<br /><br />Citrate plasticizers are used with cellulosics, PVC, polyvinyl acetate, and other polymers used in medical plastics and food contact packaging. Some citrate esters find specialty use in blood bags and food wraps. Citrates are also used in toys produced by the plastisol process.The Beading Gemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10373750828368944711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312145685876120575.post-41537317057693949882017-02-28T15:53:09.188-05:002017-02-28T15:53:09.188-05:00Hi Nicole,
I use "she says" a lot becau...Hi Nicole,<br /><br />I use "she says" a lot because I am summarizing what are quotes. If you are a long time reader of this blog, you will realize that I curate and review a lot of what I consider worthy information and tutorials that I find.<br /><br />There are indeed many other brands of polymer clay include Premo, Bake Shop, Cernit, PVClay (from Brazil), Pluffy, and other generic brands like Hobbycraft (Shapeit) and Craft Smart (Michaels). With each of the top manufacturers, there are also different formulations like Sculpey Souffle, Sculpey III etc. So in total, we are talking about many different formulations.<br /><br />Actually that 2002 data is pretty outdated. <br />http://www.uspirg.org/reports/usp/hidden-hazards<br /><br />If you have been working with clay for a long time, you will know that the removal of phthalates from polymer clay caused a stir back around 2008 (mainly because the clay became softer to work with):<br /><br />http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/phthalate-free-premo-polymer-clay/86/ <br /><br />Pregnant women and children are the most affected with phthalates. So since clay is a toy which can be put into mouths and potentially eaten by a child, it has to be free of phthalates. Otherwise they would not be allowed for sale.The hazards are well known today and we depend on regulations to keep us safe :<br /><br />https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Phthalates-Information/<br /><br />There have been effects to regulate industry (pretty slow in the US and maybe slower if EPA funding is cut). <br />But phthalates are so widely used that they are pretty much everywhere. <br /><br />https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/10/phthalates-plastics-chemicals-research-analysis<br /><br />You have to realize that different materials enter our bodies in different ways. For example, holding a cigarette is pretty safe. But if you inhaled the smoke from a burning cigarette, you introduce all sorts of carcinogens into your body. <br /><br />So that is why polymer clay had to be made safe as a toy because it could be ingested (by children). <br /><br />Handling today's clay is fine although there will always be those who might be allergic to it (as with many things).<br /><br />PS.I am a retired analytical toxicologist. <br />The Beading Gemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10373750828368944711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312145685876120575.post-20524230664785190142017-02-27T16:46:34.358-05:002017-02-27T16:46:34.358-05:00You say she says alot. You also state that she sta...You say she says alot. You also state that she states, "many polymer clay brands have switched to citrate based." OK the are only like 6. Cernit, fimo, sculpey, pardon, Kato. We know pardon is a beeswaxed based. The others we do not know!!! You need to be specific because this is bullshit lol I say this as sweetly as I can because I use polymer clay but I'm having huge doubts. That 2002 data was huge and not widely noticed. It broke down every plasticer. I have seen no data backed up by any polymer clay company saying they use citrate or the data on anything. Words are words but scientific data is everything. I want to keep using it so please no more bs. Data, info and basic information to back up your claims. Especially by ginger the scientist. Be specific. Who's using what?nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05760645032064274491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312145685876120575.post-36660537324322509452017-02-24T10:21:32.901-05:002017-02-24T10:21:32.901-05:00Some polymer clay artists like the Kato brand beca...Some polymer clay artists like the Kato brand because it is hard and durable. So if you don't like that slight bending, it would be the brand to try.The Beading Gemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10373750828368944711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312145685876120575.post-36249420721763054662017-02-24T10:20:39.099-05:002017-02-24T10:20:39.099-05:00Admittedly I haven't done as much polymer clay...Admittedly I haven't done as much polymer clay work as you but I've never had my pieces burn. Did you check the temperature inside?<br /><br />But I will certainly use your tips if I should encounter burning.<br />The Beading Gemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10373750828368944711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312145685876120575.post-37413627062742885072017-02-24T08:43:23.871-05:002017-02-24T08:43:23.871-05:00This post was incredibly helpful - I just made two...This post was incredibly helpful - I just made two polymer clay pendants and wasn't sure about the result. They didn't break when I bent them but the base was still flexible. Now I know it's OK.bairozanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15480725582668681075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312145685876120575.post-62773968675152907072017-02-23T12:27:45.637-05:002017-02-23T12:27:45.637-05:00I started out with a small toaster oven when I fir...I started out with a small toaster oven when I first got into polymer clay. <br /><br />After burning some precious pieces to a crisp - I soon learned that protecting an item from the top and the bottom was crucial to success. <br /><br />I have gone through a number of sizes in toaster ovens and am now quite happy with the largest I could find. <br /><br />I now embed my pieces in deep corn starch and tent them, as well as add layers of ceramic tile on the bottom of the oven. I'm one of those people who bakes polymer clay for an hour. I've had 99.9% luck ever since (fingers crossed)aimshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12685252628734838159noreply@blogger.com