Polymer Clay Glaze Comparison Tests

I was so disturbed to learn that Studio by Sculpey Glossy Glaze is no longer being manufactured. My supply was getting low so I had looked for it at Michael's & Hobby Lobby on my last few trips. To my dismay, I couldn't find it at either location. I figured they were just out of it. After several months of not finding it I searched online and alas, I discovered that they don't make it anymore. GRRRRRR!!! That was an essential part of my design process. It was how I got my faux ceramic effect and it's not available any longer. I read that Polyform is not going to replace it with anything comparible either. Now, it's back to the drawing board. I've got to find a comparible product to achieve the same effects. Here's a great post from Garie International on a comparison between Translucent Liquid Sculpey, Kato Liquid Polyclay and Fimo Deko Gel. I've never heard of Fimo Deko Gel but it seems to be the best of the three for my purposes. I am still hoping that Polyform will change there minds and put it back out there (even if it's in a new package). Until then, I am forced to find a new source.....SIGH!

P.S. I will keep adding links to this post as I find more helpful info on glazing. Here's some great links that I've found: Craft Test Dummies did a comparison test on several glaze products with some interesting results. Mossy Owls on blogspot has great info on using Kato Liquid Polyclay as well.

Mermaid Beach Bead Studio Gallery

TraceyReneeDesign's photostream on Flickr.

Art beads in polymer clay.

Great tip on glazing issues for polymer clay....

I found a great tip on one of my fav polymer clay sites beadsandbeading.com on the topic of glazing your polymer clay beads. This is a great tutorial beadsdbeading.com, (I positively have to get this tutorial). I have been using Sculpey Studio Glossy Glaze for several years now with no problems. I can add my own color blends with my alcohol inks and it mixes up nicely. However, I do not care for regular Sculpey Glaze...it has a totally different texture to it (to me). I've never tried the Future floor polish or Varathane (simply because I have not been able to find any locally). Still keeping my eyes peeled for some though....always up for new techniques and ideas. Here's a few pics of my latest designs.
P.S. I will keep editing this post as I find more great tips and ideas on polymer clay glazing. Here's another great technique (freebie) at Polymerclay Web. This is basically the way I do it. I have tweeked it here and there but this technique works wonders for a faux ceramic pendant.

More Retro Blues....

Here's a few more of my retro blue designs in polymer clay. I mixed some teal blue clay (small half pea size) into some transluscent clay for a bakelite effect. Works really well.

Retro Kitty in Clay

Here's a fun and funky little retro kitty cameo pendant design. I used a faux ceramic glaze to give it a more vintage feel. Retro blue glaze really made this little kitty pop:)

Fall colors back on the table...

I cannot believe summer is already almost gone. Time to start concentrating on autumn colors and even Christmas designs. Time has a way of slipping up on us so I've found it best to be proactive and start preparing for the seasons a couple of months early. I have my autumn glazes out on the table mixing up some new hues for this years pendants. I have learned so much on color mixing and blending with my alcohol inks. It's amazing how many different glaze colors you can mix from just five ink colors. Color mixing is one of my most favorite things to do after my pieces have been baked. There's always a little mystery in every 'mix up' of colors:)