Grace Clay

I decided to buy Grace clay [about $26!] because reviews seems to suggest this is high class clay. For two small tubes, the price is already proof. It's good that the clay is separated into two tubes so you only need to open one before the other. This is air dry clay, so it will dry out once opened, no matter how slowly. I think there are supposed to be different grades but I have no idea because I had only one option when I purchased it.

The texture looks oily and it doesn't feel very moist on the hands. It can stretch quite well. Kneading it, you would feel that it is harder than the previous clays. By adding water, it can be softened. Sticking the clay is possible but requires some water and a little force. Not a very good point as it doesn't stick easily. Then, when you use too much force, the figure might be slightly distorted. If you remember my post on Kin's miniature workshop, I believe she had use Grace clay for the head, body and limbs. The clothing is another type of clay which sticks instantly upon contact with Grace clay. Therefore, if you want to achieve great sticking qualities, you may want to mix and match.

Acrylic paint mixes very well with this clay! A little colour can create a dark/vibrant coloured clay. However, the clay dries darker than the initial colour, so beware of using too much paint. The clay dries slightly translucent so it's important to add white paint if you want the end result to be white. It is also heavier and harder when dried. I would think it is much more durable than the other clays. 

During the process, if you add too much water, small bits of clay will stick to your fingers. After which the dried pieces may stick to your clay ornament and destroy the whole design. :(

Fimo varnish works well here, giving the clay a shiny finish. The finished product looks a lot more exquisite than the others. If you can create something really creative and precise, it would look very high quality, like a nice pendant.

This is my ugly sadness. I find it really hard to make this with Grace clay. The clay turned quite dry after awhile. This is quite a fast drying clay which is better used by more experienced clay artist.

The good points:

Add water to increase moisture
Mixes very well with acrylic paint,
Does not crack,
Does not break,
Parts stick together alright without glue,
Takes varnish well,

The bad points:

Harder to stick together

Clay is harder for kneading

Dries faster

The verdict: No more expensive clay until I master some skills. This clay is good for jewellery making in my opinion but you need good colour mixing skill! I find it quite difficult to make figurines without combining with other clay. But, I'm a noob after all, and this clay really produces some exquisite effects. It is graceful indeed. 

Jumping Clay

Jumping clay- $4.70 per 50gm found in Popular.

I consulted Kin on the clay to use and she recommended Jumping Clay. This clay feels similar to the soft clay I used that day, so it should be the same. Jumping clay really lives up to its name as it is really bouncy. Even if it is not rolled into a ball, it will still 'jump' upon landing on the ground. I don't like this feature though because when I accidentally drop small pieces of clay, it is so difficult to find it back! 

The packaging is great because you can reseal it back. However, it is best to keep it in another airtight container or ziploc bag to be double secure. Upon opening, you can smell the strong and nice jasmine scent. This is a very good difference from other clays which generally are not nice smelling. 

Jumping clay does not stick to your hand so much. It has a blue tack consistency and water can be added to increase moisture. There is no need for glue to stick the parts together. If there are cracks at any point, you cannot just blend it away, you need to re-knead it and apply some pressure while rolling the ball. 

I think that Jumping Clay does not take acrylic colours well. A lot of paint is required, but the colour still remains quite light. The paint should be blended in bit by bit, hence more kneading is required to get a darker colour. The result of the colour is also abit patchy dotty if you look closer, not evenly spread. Jumping clay is bad if you wish to get a darker shade. Super dough would fare better in this case.

Jumping clay is good for making irregular shapes, shaped with the bare hands. The shape also stays better because it is not so soft. After the clay dries, it is light and slightly squishy. When bent, it does not break. The dried clay (before gloss) seems to attract dust more than super dough. Surface feels less smooth and more sticky (in terms of texture of flat surface) when dried.

Fimo varnish works well with Jumping clay, providing a good shine. The finished product also feels harder after the varnish. However, when I tried to bend it, the dried varnish teared on the surface, leaving a wrinkly surface. 

Coloured Jumping Clay.

I thought that Jumping clay would get its colour by mixing the coloured ones with the white one. Hence, I bought a used gift set on carousell. It was all half dried when I received it so I added water. Never ever buy second hand clay unless totally sealed! 

The result is bright vibrant colours. But do note that jumping clay only comes in certain colours, so to get a special colour is a difficult task. Hence, I still prefer mixing acrylic paint to get colours. I think you can make more professional crafts than my cutesy examples below with better colours.

For the coloured clay, everything was good until I applied the fimo varnish. The varnish is not taken well by the coloured clay. Gosh it made me super disappointed. Somehow, the colour lightens upon contact as if the clay never dried because it mixed with the gloss. My octopus was wearing white shades before the gloss dries up and after it dries, my octopus looks like it is peeling from a sunburn. I don't think I would buy the coloured Jumping clay anymore.

The good points:

Add water to increase moisture,

Does not crack so much,
Does not break,
Parts stick together without glue,
Takes varnish well (white only),

Jasmine scented, 

Package is resealable,

The bad points:

Does not take acrylic colours well,

• Knead for a longer time 
• Fingers get tired 

Does not take varnish well (Coloured only)

The verdict: I may buy the white clay, but not the coloured ones. Ideal for models with lighter colours. I think this is more for figure making with no moulds.