Liquid Clay

Liquid clay can be used in a number of interesting applications, either on their own, in combination with regular polymer clay, or in conjunction with other media.

The three most commonly found brands of clear liquid polymer clay are the following: TLS (Translucent Liquid Sculpey), Kato Clear Polyclay Medium, and Liquid Fimo. Translucent liquid clay can be tinted in a variety of ways, for instance, with oil paint, ink, embossing powder, mica pigment powder, chalks, glitter, bits of clay, and so on.

Liquid clay can be used in a number of interesting applications. It is excellent for making image transfers. It can be painted onto surfaces or applied with a fine-tipped applicator bottle. Liquid clay can be used as a glaze, in faux cloisonné, as "polymer clay glue", as "polymer clay paint", and even to create clay-infused fabric. Liquid clay cures at about the same temperature as solid polymer clay, but instructions vary by brand, so be sure to know the guidelines before you cure.

TLS can be found in some craft stores, near the solid polymer clay. Other brands of liquid clay may not be available in stores, but they can be ordered on-line.

Liquid Sculpey cures at 300°F in thin sheets. When cured, it is flexible and tough. Left untinted, TLS is translucent, but not completely clear. The texture of the cured TLS readily accepts pencil, ink, or layers of regular polymer clay (when the TLS is used to texturize a slick, non-receptive surface). TLS comes in a 2-oz. trial size, 8-fl.oz., 16-fl.oz., or 32-fl.oz. bottles.

Kato Clear Polyclay Medium (aka "Kato Sauce") starts out opaque, but clears as it cures. When hit with a heat gun (or in an oven with the temperature briefly bumped up), it clears even further, so that images or patterns beneath it are quite visible. It has a glossy surface when cured and can be sanded and buffed to a shine. Kato Polyclay Medium comes in 2-oz. and 8-oz. bottles.

Liquid Fimo (or Fimo Decorator Gel) is an extremely clear, odorless liquid clay. It starts off clear and stays that way during firing. It cures at 265°F to a very flexible, shiny sheet with a rubbery texture that is difficult to sand. Liquid Fimo comes in a 50-ml bottle.

Liquid Poly Glo is a glow-in-the-dark liquid clay available in six colors-- red, orange, green, aqua, blue, and violet. Liquid Poly Glo is available through Puffinalia, on-line.