Wow!  My husband got me an Art Clay starter kit for Xmas.  I am not very experienced working with clay, I was just getting started with polymer clay...  does polymer clay, or any other kind of clay, have similar working properties to the Art Clay Silver?  I'd like to be able to do a dry run of shaping the wet clay before I make my first piece...  I don't want to waste such an expensive material!

 

You'll have SOOOO much fun!

 

I teach my students to use Sculpey -- make sure that the piece you're practicing with is slightly smaller than the piece of ACS you're using (better to have some left than to overshoot the ACS!) Make sure that your polymer is not the same color as the ACS so you don't put the wrong piece in the kiln!

 

Looking forward to seeing what you create.....

I'm thinking that you aren't looking for something like Sculpey (a polymer clay) to use because it doesn't handle the same way at all. First of all, Art Clay is less elastic, and doesn't roll out the same way. Most importantly, it dries out so much more quickly that I don't think you'll be prepared when you switch over. It also doesn't bond with other pieces in the same manner as polymer. My suggestion would be to get some fine textured clay - the real deal, from a craft store or pottery supply company - and start with that. It should handle about the same, although I think that Art Clay dries even more quickly. Good luck to you!

 I've done both and find silver clay much more difficult to work with because it dries out and then when you add water to make slip it gets messy. I was also nervous about using such a pricey material. Handling polymer clay will not feel the same - BUT you can work out your design with the polymer. I think that would be a great idea! Trysh makes a good point that you have to take the shrinkage into consideration when doing your planning.