Hey everyone! I'll be posting my chart soon so you can consult it. Keep in mind that FIMO is great when it's "fresh", but it gets ridiculously hard after a few weeks so you would need to soften it painfully. I think it's great fresh, but otherwise a pain in the ass afterwards 😂 I really enjoy Sculpey III because it's workable right away and stays soft for years! Unlike FIMO.

Just FYI, Fimo pro, similar to super sculpy or any of the super hard clays are for fine art sculpture. You typically use this only with metal tools and the firmer clay means you can get wayyyyy more fine details without messing up areas you've already sculpted.

Why am I watching this?? I don't even use clay

The "professional" and othsd super hard clays probably are that hard because they're for people who want to put in extremely fine details or make very durable art pieces. Sculpey Firm is like that, and I used it for making dolls, and I can confirm that it is a PAIN to get it conditioned before using it. It was AMAZING for holding those details once I got it to that point, though, and you could practically MURDER someone with it!

I prefer working with harder clays for the detail. My boyfriend is always fiddling so I just give him the clay and he conditions it in no time 🤣 my tiny hands can't handle it.

For the Fimo Effects, especially the gem themed ones, they are actually meant to get darker. You should see the Jade one. It looks mint green before baking but once baked it's a beautiful deep translucent green with gold shimmers.

It may seem like clay that isn't immediately moldable is not worth your time, but it really depends on what type of sculpting you do. I make OOAK dolls, and I can't stand the softness of Sculpey III. It doesn't hold fine detail at all. Fimo is almost too soft for my needs. I prefer Premo and Sculpey Living Doll because they're firm, don't pick up my fingerprints the way softer clays do. I would LOVE to get my hands on some Cernit. I'd toss it in the blender, add a few drops of clay softener, and run it through my pasta press until it was malleable. BTW, any of those clays that get hard after time can easily be re-conditioned with a bit of patience and clay softener. The "Professional" branded clays are the best to do stop-motion animation with because they hold their shape but are flexible and can be handled without baking. The results you get are worth the time you spend working the clay.

I challenge you to take the worst ones in this video and sculpt something of them

"i paid 20$ for each. it was 6$ plus the shipping" Yup i know your struggle. Fellow canadian here haha

It looks to me like your Cernit clay was either really old or it got partially cured in shipping to you. Speaking from my own personal experiences with it, if Cernit is fresh it’s very similar to premo, if not a bit softer. The only downside that I’ve found with Cernit is that it tends to get hard quite quickly.

This made me laugh so hard. I personally find sculpey3 to be almost unusable for being too soft. That said my favorite method of conditioning is to hit the whole pack a few times with a rubber mallet, rotating it so the blows come from different angles. I can condition several packs fairly quickly this way. I have a silicone baking mat glued to a brick for a clay anvil (silicone caulk used as glue).

I've always used Fimo Professional and wondered how the hell polymer clay crafters kept their clay clean through all that kneading. Now I understand

The reason people buy and use some of the harder clays is because they are more durable and if people using them are running a business making clay items that is a very important so they will dish out the money for the clay conditioner machine.

It’s for making canes and sculptures (the hard clay) it’s needed to hold the form. Plus the “harder” ones are so SO much stronger after baked than the super soft ones. If you’re making jewelry or making artwork that you want to be around for longer than a week, it’s worth it to warm it up and knead it a bit. There are professional artists that use the hardest clays (hence FIMO PROFESSIONAL lol). Oh, and The FIMO effects gem line is supposed to turn translucent. Hence, the “gem” in the name. Tips on conditioning hard clay: Warm it against your body(put it in your bra) for 5 mins. Throw it in a food processor then smoosh all back together Add clay softener Make sure your source of clay stocks fresh clay regularly. Most (all?) advanced artists prefer premo, kato, pardo etc. they can’t risk putting hours and hours into a piece made with sculpy III only to have it break apart. I’ve got to ask because to me it’s a deal breaker and I won’t touch the stuff, but how do you deal with the negative of sculpy III breaking so easily? Anything I’ve ever made/my daughters ever made from “III” has broken. Doesn’t this bother you?

I've bought both Pardo and Cernit to try out and they're super soft! I guess that since it needs to be imported to the US it takes so long that it ends drying down. Thank you for this video, very informative 😘💕

Pardo is actually a very good clay, as is Cernit. I've had bad luck with packages of each of these brands. If you would like to try another package of Pardo, I could send you one ^-^ I'm from Germany and can easily get my hands on this brand. Plus, shipping isn't too expensive. And no, I'm not selling clays. I'm just a fellow crafter 😉

if you give a pass to Kayto translucent in the color different column you gotta give a pass to FIMO effects, they contain translucent and that is why they are called "Effects", because thye give the effect of quartz and what not......which have translucent parts.

"hard like the Rock's muscles" Accurate depiction of me: 😱😵💀

A tip for using up hard clay: just use it as a filler. You need to make a big base/body/something? Just cut out a piece big enough and wrap it with clay you actually like to work with. I usually do this with hardened paper clay and it saves half a pack of clay with my projects.

“Cernit” *jenna marbles has entered the chat*

I actually liked this review despite the problems I mention below. It helped me to see the different softnesses. HOWEVER, I don’t know if you are a professional, actually making things to sell to the public, or making art pieces, but depending on your techniques and what you make it might seriously change your opinion on some of these clays. Sculpey III might be fine for making cutesy stuff, but making a piece of art with details and no fingerprints, etc.? Sorry, but you NEED HARDER CLAY. Heck, almost any polymer artist book says that harder clay is needed for professional results. So yeah, you splash out a measly 100bucks for a conditioner or use a rubber mallet, or (if you’re making larger pieces of art) you’re slamming larger bricks of it into a hard surface - just like you would real kiln-dried clay. Also, you cooked all of these at the same temperature and then compared strength and color?? Again, it says in any book “make sure to follow clay instructions for baking” and “do not overbake”. So overall I did find this review helpful just from watching you work with the clay and knowing how different clays are supposed to work, but as far as advising others who might not have that knowledge, well, it’s a little misleading.

Sculpy is nontoxic. My grandpa saw my yellow clay on the table and thought it was taffy. He ate half of my yellow😔 He was ok though

you are so entertaining, i love how honest you are it’s so refreshing! keep up the good work!!

“ im going to judge it by a ~ad begins~ WE START BREAKFAST EARLY!!!!!” I just lost it 😂😂

The reason some people prefer harder clay is because it's easier to do tiny details. For me, something like Sculpty 3 is too soft, so it squishes or gets misshapen when I try to do really small/precise cuts.

Hey Jackie!! Luv u so much I discovered you not long ago and you are the best. Also I bought Cernit and honestly( and surprisingly) it was great

I've watched this video 5 times in total now, it's one of my favourites for some reason! I'm at home all day rather than work today as I'm sick, so binge watching your videos to make it better 😇✨

This is my first vid i have watched from u and UR AWESOME! also i love how honest u were with these clays keep up the good work

I have worked for Michaels arts and crafts for over 16 years. I have resently found your videos months ago and I'm pretty addicted. Being a crafter myself I appreciate your hard work and giving me great ideas, new crafting knowledge, and videos like this not only help me with my own projects but help me help the customers I work with on a daily basis. Because of you I have found a new love of clay and resin without you I wouldn't have tried my hand in them. I'm not great but practice makes perfect right? I appreciate all you do so much. P.s. you're doing it wrong! But it's "good enough" Lol jk. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I look forward to all of your videos.

oml... the "I HATE YOU" on the Fimo Pro tho... XDDDD

Great video Jackie. It's so helpful to get some info on so many different clays. Always love watching your videos xx

Thank you for your honesty and your humour!

Just to clarify, fimo clay is kind of inconsistent with the texture, sometimes its really soft, sometimes kts really hard, and sometimes its in the middle

Watching this while eating my dinner....Nearly choked from laughing so hard over the Fimo Professional lol. I have a drawer full of the horrid stuff, can't bring myself to throw it away but it is rock hard and just crumbles when i try and condition it. Love the bin shots hehehe.

Thanks so much for this video! I've been working with clay for over 25 years, I stick to scilpty but got some great ideas from you!!! You rock girly!!!

I don't sculpt using polymer clay but this is such an amazing chart/guide! Also a straight-to-the-point, informative video! I love your videos, Jackie

I have actually really grown to love Michaels Craftsmart clay. Cheap, colour selection is getting better and better, easy to condition, and yes, it VERY flexible and strong. I wish they would make a translucent.

Fimo professional. For professional body builders.

I wish this video had been around much longer! I sadly started out with fimo professional and I have spent HOURS trying to condition the damn stuff, there isn't enough videos describing the different types of clay and their properties around at all! Loved the video and so glad I wasn't the only one who wanted to launch it in the bin!

Thankyou so much for this video , I’m really enjoying your style and have learned so much !

I hate to rain on your parade. But your tests are not accurate enough. It's good that you try to compare so many brands compared to other tests I've seen. But you baked them all at the same temperature! Fimo needs a much lower temperature than Kato for example. Always bake the clay according to the temperature stated on the package! The Kato clay was seriously underbaked, and underbaked clay will always be brittle, no matter how long you had it in the oven. Also, I can tell just by looking at it that your Cernit was old. Fresh Cernit is even softer than Premo. Old clay always needs more love and conditioning in a pasta machine before you use it (No need for expensive kneading machines). And you really need to condition all clay properly for a durable result. The reason many crafters prefer the firmer brands is that they hold details better and they're more durable. There's a reason why one line of Fimo is called Professional and another Kids. If you want to make good quality items that stand the test of time and don't break as soon as you touch them you need to go with something professional and not something aimed at children. Sculpey III is infamous for being brittle even when baked correctly. Also; toxicity. Polymer clay is NOT toxic! Yes, I know you said it means don't eat it. But please don't use the word toxic. You shouldn't eat sand either, but it's not toxic either! There's plenty of things around that shouldn't be eaten. And many of the brands you marked as toxic DO have a non-toxic certification, if you read the fine print. You really shouldn't trust clay from Wish more than you do the rigorous European certifications. Seeing you promote low quality clays from Wish and trashing professional brands may give beginners the wrong idea that leaves them disappointed when the creation they worked hours on droops in the oven or breaks or burns. Those who want accurate information regarding polymer clay durability would do better to google Blue Bottle Tree or Hobbyrian. I would love to see you do this test again, with all brands fresh, properly conditioned and baked at the correct temperatures. PS. I've looked at your clay creations, and you DO make amazing things, especially considering you're using children's brands. Just imagine what you could achieve with more professional brands...

#NerdEficationsquad I'm a new subscriber, but I'm already obsessed with your videos!

Love this video lots of help looking forward to see the individual videos of each brand thanks lots👍👍👍👍👍

Very nice review Jackie it is nice that you have found out this information for us! Keep your good work going!

I remember when I tried fimo, I swear I nearly broke my fingers trying to get it to a workable consistency

I had the cernit translucent clay but it wasn't as hard as yours though, I could actually knead it after a minute working on it! I don't know, maybe you had a bad batch or something like that? LOVE YOU AS ALWAYS!! 😍💚

Another great informational video. Very useful for beginners and us old timers. Especially for crafters who have a budget for crafting supplies. I like these kind of videos. Thank you. Happy Easter

This video is so brilliant! It's the first I'm watching from your channel and I totally get your name. Super informative for those of us who know nothing about polymer clay and want to experiment, keep doing these!

Awesome video. I just started watching your channel and you have inspired me to apply my craft obsession to clay and resin (and a future Sophie & Toffee subscription). This video has helped me decided which clay to try out for my first project (Sculpy III). I am currently catching up on your videos and can't wait to start and to eventually be able to produce the quality of work you do. Plus I love your adorable little family. Hi to you, Pat, Splinter, Ramses and Angel 🙋

Loved this! x

So, this video is so good I’ve decided to sub. Keep great videos coming!

Thank you for doing this!! I was always wondering the durability between brands.

Why is this so entertaining to watch?!

FYI - Cernit is not much much harder than Fimo Soft... I ve used both off them, so I guess something was wrong with the one your friend got for you!! I ll be in Canada next month, I can get some of them!! Anyway, great great review and rating!!

I just stumbled across this video. I love your presentation. You're a hoot, while giving a great product review/comparison!

Now I have found my favourite channel about art and polymer clay! ☺️ I'm from Russia and all clay bloggers here adore clay hard as a brick - Fimo professional etc. And I was searching information about soft types of clay, there was nothing proper. And I decided to search in English, so I have found you! Thanks a lot for this video! It's wonderful!

LOL when you pulled out the Micron 02 I died 😂💟

Honestly, I was as surprised as you on the craft smart clay. Usually, the craft smart company is usually cheap judging by their acrylic paints being watery and not opaque. It's kind of cool to see that the company is stronger in other mediums.

Great review. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve bought the michaels clay before and found it hard to knead. Maybe I had a bad one. I’ll be trying their brand again in the future. If it wasn’t for your review, I would have kept that notion of the clay being to hard to work with. Thanks!

I only use Fimo professional (and effect). I often make micro pieces with extremely fine details and Fimo ist the best brand for that. Soft clays won't hold the shape and are a pain in the ass when it comes to super tiny things and fine details. Once I bought Fimo soft by accident and working with it brought me to the brink of despair.

Hey Nerdecrafter Could you review the barbie bath bomb kit if it has come in Canada,I saw cookieswirl C do a review but I just love your honest answers.Btw I love your vids

Lol "harder than the Rock's muscles" XD

This is awesome!!! I have started getting into sculpting and when I went online to buy a variety of higher quality clay instead of air dry white I was painting but there was so many options I was lost on which type to get! My sister showed me you about a year ago and for some reason it didn’t dawn on me to see if you did this type of video. Duh! Thank you!!!

I keep coming back to this video. So useful!! And I’ve been using polymer clay for 20+ years.

I love your happy attitude, you are the funniest and nicest person I have saw on KZfaq, you always seem to make my day. Keep up the good work!😁 #NerdEficationSquad Edit: thanks for ❤️ my comment NerdECrafter!

Hi Jackie! Your comparison clay video was useful to a point, but then I began to wonder? I am an artist of over 50 years and clay is my medium of choice for the last few years. Ok, back to the test. I mostly work with Fimo, and depending on the color, the hardness might change . I was taught that you should always condition your clay before working with it. If hard, use the blade and chop then put it through the machine if you’re lucky enough to have one otherwise use your roller. Smaller piles, cut with blade, then roll. If it’s Sticky, use the kind of paper that comes in the copy machine, roll it out in pieces that fit on the paper, then place clay on paper and roll in machine together, you will see a lot of oil on paper, let seep out for a day or so then see how much better it is, less sticky and ready to work! Ok Why would I want to use the hard clay? Because of the workability of Fimo. I like to sculpt miniatures, and this clay holds the details. I also use sculpt with it! I use combination clays, and I have my little oven set on one temperature and it bakes it all, together, just fine. I hope that I gave you some great information that you can use! I love your videos, Laura and

love your vids. I hope you continue to make these more videos like these in the future.

OMG I AM SO GLAD YOU MADE THIS VIDEO!!!! Cause I just thought some kato for a claymation vid for school and it scored a 10!!!! Yay

Why am I only watching this now? It's 2020

I think a good thing is to buy polymer clay from your "area". In my case, Fimo (Staedler is german so Europe), Sculpey for Americans, etc

I absolutely love how she just throws out the 20$ clays. Ahhhh I love her so much ♥️♥️

This was helpful and entertaining. Thank you!

Amazing editing!! Hugs from Florida fan.

Thank you so much for this video. I have been considering changing brands and was looking into which brand was best for my needs. This video made my life so much easier ! XD

Thanks for the super informative video. Trying to open up my options for polymer clay (since the only brand I have used so far is sculpey), but this is going to help me a lot when I try to look for clays on sale!

New videooooo!

Please make sheldon the tiny dinosaur

Thank you, thank you for your honest review. So helpful. I made cold porcelain air dry clay and as I worked and left parts of it out that were not used.. it stayed soft and playable. Felt like velvet

This is EXACTLY what I needed. Thank you SO much for posting this!

I got this from Kater's Acers. Why Do You Have to Condition Polymer Clay: Unconditioned clay, though it may be soft, does not have properly aligned particles. While this may not seem to be a big deal, unconditioned clay that has been baked has a tendency to be very brittle and break easily. It is very important that before you begin any project that you condition your clay.

#NerdEfacarionsquad! (Rip spelling XD) I really love your videos! And I've taken a lot of inspiration from them and abaolutly adore all your projects you do 😄

the hate on FIMO PROFESSIONAL 😂😂 thank you for this GUIDE :) I super Love your comment on every clay 💕💕 happy claying..

This is an amazing video! I was ready to cry because I thought it was just me everything I baked cracked and crumbled with Sculpey III and I thought I was just bad at it! I had a pasta roller and conditioned the hell out of it and then I baked samples and pulled them out at different time over a span of 2 hours and even the one that was in there for 2 hours snapped in seconds. This made my day 💙🙏🏻

Oh man you throwing those garbage clays away is priceless!!!

IM SO LATE! late sQuad! xD EDIT: btw im new here, to be honest i don't even know how i got to your channel BUT... im already in -LOVE- with your channel!

Thank you SO much for this very helpful video! Very informative!

This has helped me immensely 😸 thanks Jackie 💕

Dat ryuji tho!! It looks so good!! I love Persona!!

I use fimo its good in england we have to buy online what you use fimo is the only thing i can buy from a shop

Thank you for this video. I've only used Fimo and have about 10 blocks to use up, but think I may see how Sculpey Premo works for my earring business.

I'm glad to see the various comparisons and I'm really happy with my Fimo soft, unfortunately they no longer sell Fimo soft in stores so all the more reason I needed this chart! By posting this chart video you have helped save me incredibly needed money and time finding a new replacement, thank you so very much! ^.^

Holy crap how strong is Europe? !!! Like fam

lol! look at that a spreadsheet and everything! That's very professional of you

Omg you deserve 1 million followers now!!! You are great 😍❤😍❤🔥

Thanks for this vid!! Really helped me out!!

I almost watched this video when I first began using polymer clay but I had skipped over it. I’m actually really glad that I did since this review is not very accurate. Conditioning clay is not at all a waste of time. Detailed pieces look much better with harder clays. Also canes won’t even work with soft clays. Hard clay is not at all garbage. I think you should have made this much more clear since I’m sure you are the source of information for a lot of people new to polymer clay. Some things just won’t work or look good with soft clay.

#NerdEficationsquad hey, just heard about you from a friend and I love your vids :)

Your video helped me so much when I wanted to start out with polymer clay. I am still too young to get a job, so parents have to pay but they don't want to spend too much. I heard other people say craftsmart and sculpey three are terrible. But I got them because they are cheap. I'm glad I did.

Thanks so much for this video! It helped me out so much

I used to have an art teacher named Susanne olsson I don't know if that's how you spell it though Edit:😆