How do you store your polymer clay?

[dogzillalives]

I'm looking for ideas on how to store my clay. Right now I just have it all in induvidual ziploc baggies, and stuffed in a box. Very disorganized and a PITA to find, get out, etc. I was thinking about getting *another* tackle box, but I don't want the clay to dry out.

So how do you organize and store your clay?
Thanks in advance! :^)

[Former_Member]

Hi, I keep mine in covered storage containers --- rather like Tupperware --- which are all clear plastic. Each are organized according to colour shades and there is a separate one for unopened packages. It's great, as I can immediately see which shades I need and where they are and only take out the containers I need at any one time.

[playsculptlive]

Hello, just checked out your shop, great stuff. As for storage, I'm the type who stocks up when there is a sale. So my unopened packages are in photo boxes (2$ at Michaels on sale) according to color. My canes and my own color combinations are wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in those bead storage trays. I keep the colors I'm working on in a plastic baggie in a box next to my work station. I can see where everything is and they stack up on a shelf neatly.

[dogzillalives]

Thank you both for the reply :)
I think I willl end up getting another tackle/bead storage box since I have about 10 already filled with beads, what's another one LOL.

[HiveHouseJewelry]

Hi!
New to the team. Thought I would put my 2 cents in here. I store my unopened clay in those plastic drawers on end and have a variety of smaller plastic tubs for my canes which I roll in plastic wrap. I have found that eventually with zip locks the clay make the plastic brittle. If you have a Harbor Freight, they sell shell boxes (for gun shells) that work really great for small canes. You don't have to wrap them they just stand in there upright and are made from the kind of plastic that doesn't adhere to the clay...at least the ones I have seen there don't.

[linsart]

Hi Everyone, Dede, Good to know about zip lock bags drying out clay ! Thanks for the tip. Great work, everyone !
Here is my shop too
http://www.etsy.com/shop/linsart

Good sales to all of my fellow Polymer artists !

[Former_Member]

I know it may sound funny, but I have a huge tackle box. I mean BIG. When it's opened, there are actual trays that you can take out one at a time, about 25 squares in each, each square 3X3 in., and of course, with a lid. (Think of a bead organizer, the big 'box' type with all of the compartments. There are a total off 6 large trays for my assortments of clay/colors. Then I have a big spacious portion on the top of the tackle box for my sculpting tools and other things. Best thing, the clay doesn't stick to any of the plastic, so I can always rearrange as I please :D

It works great for me since I travel around and make my items at parks here and there :) The tackle box is about 3 feet long, 1.5 ft in with, and 1.5 in H.

[Beadeddiva]

I use flat clear plastic containers I got at Michaels. I was told that wax paper dried out clay so I changed over to ziplocks! oh dear!

[dogzillalives]

thefinalstretch- the tackle box you describe sounds like what I had in mind- induvidual trays with lids. I wonder if they make those in smaller sizes... I just started using poymer clay a few weeks ago, so I don't need something THAT big lol. What is the brand of the tackle box, if you don't mind me asking. :)

[Former_Member]

Hi all :o)
I use clear plastic tackle boxes as well. They have the little removeable compartment walls so you can choose how big to make each compartment. It's only one "layer" with a hinged lid so I can open the top and access all the clay at once. I pull out what I need and just drop the lid again. When I'm done with my project for a while, I lock the lid and slide it into a drawer. I have 2 of these tackle boxes. One for the colors I use most often and the other for special blends I made or those colors not used as often. Has been working great for a number of years now.

[Former_Member]

Hrrmmmm let me post a link to the one I have :D

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10210367_999043013_100000000...

Thing is, this is WAY overpriced on the internet, i found mine at Wal-Mart, heehee, for sale price of 35$.

Although you just started, as I did about two months ago, you will fill it up with all of the wonderful colors out there :D

The top has a huge compartment for all of my pigments, brushes, tools. As you can see, there's little compartments on the lid to hold other things quick and easy too.

I love it!!! And of course, in the removeable trays, you can size the squares to whatever size you like, theres a couple jumbo ones too for your main colors that you keep.

http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Angled-Stowaway-System-Stowaways/dp/B00469G2JO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=spor...

Model name is Plano 787.
You can find it cheap :D

[Former_Member]

By the way, some clays I haven't touched for a long time now (been on etsy for two months, building with clay for way longer) and it's still VERY workable, not too soft, not too hard, perfect!

[Former_Member]

One more post (I keep remembering things) Plano has other models that have the removable trays. Mines perfect for on the go art! Leaving now to go to the park/work there :D
Sorry for the bombardment!! haahaa

[Former_Member]

Use several ziploc brand tubs that you get from Hillshire farm meats which are just like the ones you can buy in stacked sets too. THey let me seperate the types and colors of clay well. For open pieces and canes I use a craft organizer bin that is for holding finding or embroidery floss. I found a bunch of them on sale for $1.47 a piece at Hobby Lobby. They also work great at storing my finished charms.

[Former_Member]

temperature is most important....I have found especially in the south....if you are running errands, buy some clay, don't leave it in the hot car. It will start to cure. I store my unopened clay in plastic storage drawers. The colors that I have opened are stored in ziplock bags in the same set of drawers. I have never experiences clay drying out while in ziplocks or these drawers or even wax paper. I guess I'm lucky. I've been working with clay for nearly 2 years and have been doing it this way since day one. Also, I should let you know that different brands of clay are going to store differently. I mainly use Premo and Fimo.