Polymer clay is one of the most popular and demanded materials of our time. It can successfully replace many other, more traditional materials, since it is not inferior to them in terms of decorative characteristics. Strong demand has encouraged manufacturers to produce a huge variety of polymer clays.
A large assortment at the same time allows you to find the most suitable option, and makes you get lost among dozens of options, since it is extremely difficult to make a choice. Among domestic baked clays, Artefact clay is popular, so it's worth finding out what it is.
About the manufacturer
This manufacturer has existed not so long ago (the company was founded in 2000), but the time of its foundation coincides with the appearance on the market of polymer clay, in the production of which the company specializes. For a relatively short period of its existence, the company managed to establish itself as a bona fide manufacturer, and today its products are in high demand among creative people not only in Russia, but also abroad.
Clay manufacturer "Artefact" produces several series: "Sonnet", "Lapsi", "Tsvetik" and the line of the same name "Artifact". A big plus is the widest range of products offered. The palette consists of 106 different options (this means not only classic colors, but also shades of different depth and transparency). There are also interesting fluorescent collections, glitter clay.
For the convenience of craftsmen, hand-made clay is sold both in sets and individually - in bars weighing 56 or 250 grams.
Raw properties
Reviews of people who have been modeling for a long time and who are versed in this indicate that such material is quite good in its characteristics. A soft consistency is noted. It does not require any significant effort to knead the material, but it does not flow after prolonged kneading. Clay has excellent adhesive properties, which is both a plus and a minus.
Material lends itself well to sculpting, but it can get your hands dirty, and you should be prepared for this. There are no large particles in the clay, which makes it easy to cut it into pieces of a suitable size
It is indicated that the dye is well mixed into the clay: there is no unevenness in the shade, there are no large undissolved pigment grains. This has a positive effect on the appearance of the finished crafts. "Artifact" can be very successfully used for the manufacture of small parts, since such polymer clay is perfectly rolled into a thin layer that keeps its shape and maintains its integrity. The resulting raw crafts can be stretched. This characteristic is not inherent in all types of such raw materials.
Baked properties
In fact, for professionals, convenience when working with raw clay is not so important as the end result of this work. It should be noted that such clay is suitable for creating a variety of decorative elements, including such complex ones as flowers.
The appearance is quite typical for typical baked clays. In particular, the color darkens a little, and in baked translucent varieties, the property of limited light transmission appears. Of the atypical features, it can be noted the appearance of a light whitish coating, which may spoil the impression of the finished product somewhat. An increase in surface roughness can give a similar effect, which, however, can be caused by slight deviations from the instructions during the baking process.
Baked products have relative elasticity. In particular, the petals made for the sake of the experiment bend and unbend without any structural disturbances, returning to the original appearance. By the way, its thickness can directly affect the elasticity of the product. Many people point out that the thinnest petals bend and straighten without any problems, but thicker parts behave like an eraser, and with strong pressure they simply break.
Should you buy?
It should be noted that, in general, the reviews about this material are positive.
But there are also negative reviews, according to the results of reading which the reader will probably lose the desire to get acquainted with such raw materials. Such authors also write very skillfully, which excludes the option of amateurishness or misuse. In particular, it is advised to bake only wet clay from the manufacturer "Artifact".
They complain that the finished products will necessarily change their color after a certain time: they either fade or fade, and it is impossible to say in advance when and how this will happen. Moreover, in a baked product, darker parts can over time stain neighboring light ones. Moreover, even the cost, which is usually assessed as very democratic, is strongly criticized.
Some users believe that this quality is not worth the money, but everything is learned by comparison. It is worth trying to form your own opinion about this material.
For information on how to work with Artifact clay, see the next video.
