Inconsistencies in clay texture!

[Former_Member]

Hello everyone!
I'm fairly new to the poly clay scene and I've noticed recently when buying clay that even within the same brand, the texture of the clay varies greatly. For instance, last week I bought a small package of transparent Premo. I went back to the same store and bought a larger pack of the same thing, same brand, and it's extremely soft! Too soft for me to really work with without putting it into the frigid first. The other pack was perfect. Also, when I opened this second pack, it was filled with little black specks of something that I now have to pick out! So irritating!

Is this normal? Where can I buy clay at a good price? Buying retail at the craft store is starting th wear on my pocket :)
Thanks!

[Former_Member]

That happens to me sometimes, I think it is pretty normal. Usually it is between different colors, but every once in a while it will be the same color. I wonder if it just depends how long it has been sitting on the shelf.

Re: good prices, all the craft stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.) around me have a 40% off coupon if it is not on sale. If I really need a color, then I use that. If not, I wait until they have a 50% off sale or when colors go on clearance and then I stock up. I haven't found anything cheaper than that online. The key is buying more than what you need the first sale that you see, so you have ample to get you through to the next sale. : )

[Former_Member]

Tara, If you put the soft clay between two pieces of parchment paper, it will firm up. The paper absorbs some of the plasticizers(sp?) in the clay.

[Former_Member]

Right now, until 7/28 I think, Michaels has polymer clay at 50% off. Sculpy III, Premo and Fimo.

My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE place to shop though is Munro Crafts in Berkley Michigan. I live locally to this store so I have easy acccess. But they have an online catalog as well which features the same in store discounts.

$0 - $99 = 25% discount
$100 - $199 = 40% discount
$200 + = 50% discount

What I like is that these are everyday discounts! I no longer have to wait for a 40% off coupon that is good for only 1 item per shopping trip. Also, Munro's is one of the few select sources of Premo Zinc Yellow and Cobalt Blue. I love that I put $100 worth of stuff in my basket and only pay $60 for it! I can't afford to spend a ton of money every week so I plan a trip about 1once a month or so.

http://www.munrocrafts.com/index.html

Hope that helps

Judy

[ClimbingDragon]

Are you sure it's the same clay ? Because some clays have black specks in then . If not then you bought bad clay try returning it .

[Former_Member]

You get that a lot from small stores like Michaels, Beverlys, etc. It has to do with how long it's been sitting on the shelf/in a warehouse, etc. When I buy from Munros who has really high product turnover it's extremely rare to get a too hard block of clay. I actually slice all the packages when they come, because they are usually too soft for me to work with!!