Kato Clay Crack Tests

::note:: please see the update for the final results of my testing.

Today I'm starting some tests on Kato clay. It has a tendency to get little cracks, which close when cooled. I look at them as Kato's version of moonies, because I've yet to see a true moonie in Kato.

I will keep updating this same post so that all the results are on the same page.

Test #1:
All spheres are approximately 3/4" in size.
All spheres were baked by putting into a cold oven set at 300 degrees F
All spheres were baked for 20 minutes and removed immediately from the oven.
All spheres were cooled under cool water directly after removing from the hot oven.

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Sample 1 results:

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Sample 2 results:

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Sample 3 results:

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Sample 4 results:

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Test #2:
see images for details
Sample 5 results

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Sample 6 Results:


NOTE TO SELF: I have noticed that clay that is more thoroughly conditioned does not seem to get the large open gaping cracks in it. The smaller cracks are not actually open when the item is removed from the oven like the larger cracks were. The conditioning at a lower (thinner) setting of the pasta machine also appears to do a more complete job. I'm of the conclusion thus far that these cracks may appear in translucent as a plaque like the moonies are to other clays.

My next series of tests, I'm going to attempt to duplicate these tests, but baking at 275 for 30 minutes for each piece (that's 10 minutes preheat time and 20 baking time). If the results again turn out the same, I will begin experimenting with mixing small amounts of color into the clay.

Sparky, inquisitive Dragon on ebay

Chibi Greetings!
I've listed a little peach and blue
chibi baby dragon.
His name is Sparky Squiddleboo.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140161627784
 

Starting bid: US $0.99  
End time: Sep-29-07 17:59:37 PDT (4 days 23 hours)
Shipping costs: US $5.00 US Postal Service Priority Mail®
Service to United States
Ships to: United States
Item location: Lakeland, Florida, United States

140161627784

Thank you for taking a look!

Why I love Kato Clay

Kato is my favorite clay, and I made this little video to show why.
It's so flexible and strong, and even though you can tell people with words, it's just not the same as seeing it with your own eyes. This is a cured piece of Kato that is 1/8" thick.

Chibis as collectibles

I don't want my stuff to be toys. I make them for adults. I would like them to be collectibles. I don't know, I know there might be money in it, but it's the love that makes me want to do it. I'm afraid that if I tried to get them marketed as toys they'd take my love away and turn it into something profane, cheap little plastic things produced in china's sweat shops or something.

If I could have them produced in the manner of Hummels, or Precious Moments, or something like that, that would interest me.

I want chibis to make adults remember childhood.

I don't understand why feeling happy and innocent and carefree is considered a childish feeling. I don't understand why our world has turned in such a way that children are the only ones associated with such joy. I'm just one person, and can't change this, but I can maybe do a small part in my small circle of the world to remind people that joy isn't just for kids. It's for us all....

Jumbo Chibis

For the past few days I've been working on some jumbo chibis. I'd been thinking in the back of my melon about trying larger chibis, but didn't and still don't know if people will like them. But I did two of them so far, and am kind of enjoying them. They are very big. They feel like what a real dragon baby would feel like if you found one that just was born and you picked it up.

This one is mine for the keeping. He was my first, and I love him so much that I could never part with him. I haven't named him yet.....I'm waiting to see how he acts before I do.

This is my second Jumbo. I've yet to name him either. I haven't listed any Jumbos yet. I'm still working out some things in my head, like about how much clay this uses. I could have made at lease 6 chibis out of the clay that I used to make this guy.

I'm considering how I'll pack them, how much to ask for shipping, and what to start them out at. I just really don't know if my collectors will like these jumbos. My hub says that he thinks they'll do better than the little ones. To be honest, I enjoy sculpting smaller better than large, but at the same time, I just adore holding these Jumbos in my hands. It feels like they're real to me. You can cuddle them!!!

Adult Gronky Chibi

Chibi Greetings!
I've listed my first Adult Chibi Dragon.
His name is Marzipan L. Furrowbrow.
Don't expect to see too many gronky chibis from me. 
I found that while I was sculpting this little dude, 
my eyebrows were knitted and my eyes squinted.
He made me feel grumpy! And that goes to show,
the people you hang out with definitely have an
affect on how you feel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140157890653
 

Starting bid: US $0.99  
End time: Sep-23-07 14:09:56 PDT (9 days 23 hours)
Shipping costs: US $5.00 US Postal Service Priority Mail®
Service to United States
Ships to: United States
Item location: Lakeland, Florida, United States

140157890653

Thank you for taking a look!

First Chibi Teen Dragon

Chibi Greetings!
I've listed my first Teen-aged Chibi Dragon.
His name is Figgles Groovingham.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140157457561
 

Starting bid: US $0.99  
End time: Sep-19-07 10:53:33 PDT (6 days 23 hours)
Shipping costs: US $5.00 US Postal Service Priority Mail®
Service to United States
Ships to: United States
Item location: Lakeland, Florida, United States

140157457561

Thank you for taking a look!

Experimenting

Today, I'm trying to make wings for some new sculptures that I've been baking (in my melon). They are dragons with dragonfly wings. I wanted to try and make them with Kato liquid and wire for the veins. Nothing too elaborate, but different for me.

So I went to the store, got some wire, and a small picture frame (for the glass) and came home to get started. I don't know if this is going to work. I tried to super glue the wires together at the points where I want them to meet. I know that super glue isn't supposed to hold up to heat, and I'm kind of counting on that, because I glued the wires right to the glass. Not big long lines of glue, but tiny little pin pricks of it. Then filled it in with the Kato.

Well, it's in the oven now (only did one wing just in case) and am eager to see if the glue released itself. I hope it did, but also fear that it will have turned white, and left a residue in the liquid clay. I'll post results as they come in......stay tuned. LOL

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Ok, the glass is out of the oven and there are no white spots where the glue was applied. The wing is as clear as the glass it was baked on. It's still attached, because the glass is very HOT HOT HOT. But so far the wing looks very pretty! I hope I can peel it off of the glass.

more to come.

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WHOOO HOOOO!
It worked it worked it worked!!!! Just as I predicted, the super glue let loose from the heat of the oven!!!! I'm so super excited (can you tell?)

What fun! Chibi Turtle on eBay

Chibi Greetings!
I've listed a little turtle and pal.
Their names are Sampson and Twitty.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140156856065
 

Starting bid: US $0.99  
End time: Sep-17-07 17:17:38 PDT (6 days 23 hours)
Shipping costs: US $5.00 US Postal Service Priority Mail®
Service to United States
Ships to: United States
Item location: Lakeland, Florida, United States

140156856065

Thank you for taking a look!

Meet Caramel!

Chibi Greetings!
I've listed a little dragon named Caramel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140155741925
 

Starting bid: US $0.99  
End time: Sep-14-07 06:36:28 PDT (6 days 23 hours)
Shipping costs: US $5.00 US Postal Service Priority Mail®
Service to United States
Ships to: United States
Item location: Lakeland, Florida, United States

140155741925

Thank you for taking a look!

Bosley is on eBay

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Pickles looking for a good home!

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Little Red Dragon

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New Species on Ebay

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