It is 4½ inch tall and made of durable Polymer Clay. Santa is wearing a light brown cowboy hat with tan band, green vest over an orange shirt, red chaps over dark blue pants and black boots. He is wearing his holster low at his side and is about to do some rope tricks with the lasso in his hand. Select this link to view our Western Christmas Ornaments.
Polymer Clay.
Original formulations of polymer clay remain soft until cured at relatively low temperatures, but air dry polymer clays have recently been added to the market. Traditional polymer clay hardens by curing at temperatures created in a typical home oven and does not shrink or change texture during the process. When properly conditioned and cured, most clay creates items that will not break if dropped or normally stressed. Cured pieces may have additional layers or enhancements added and can be recured with no ill effect. As long as the maximum curing temperature is not exceeded, there is no limit to the number of times a piece can be re-cured. After it has cured, the clay surface can be left as is, sanded and buffed, or finished with a water based varnish. Select this link to view our Cowboy Santa Wanted.
Leading brands of polymer clay include Fimo; Sculpey and Premo, created by Polyform Products. Though the brands differ slightly in properties such as plasticity, translucence, curing temperature and flexibility when cured, most are suited to a variety of applications. Specialty formulations include clay that remains permanently flexible when cured, eraser clay, and colorless and tinted liquid "clays" that can be used as slips, glazes, and adhesives. Select this link to view our Cowboy with a Chili Pepper.
Polymer clay is available in many colors. "Special-effect" colors such as translucent, fluorescent, glow in the dark, mica containing "pearls" and "metallics," and variegated "stone" colors containing contrasting fibers are also available. Standard colors, which vary from brand to brand, can be mixed to create a virtually infinite range of custom colors, gradient blends, and other effects. Select this link to view our Clay Ornaments.
Polymer clay can be colored with other media. Paint, ink, colored pencil, chalk, metallic or mica-containing powder, metal leaf and foil, glitter, and embossing powder can be applied to the surface. The same materials also can be mixed in as inclusions; this is often done with translucent clay. When acrylic paint is cured onto the surface, it forms a permanent bond with the surface. Select this link to view our Cowboy Bear.
Few tools are essential for use with polymer clay, and these can often be found around the house. The most widely used cutting tools are tissue blades, which are extremely thin and sharp, though craft knives and other blades can be used. A pasta machine is often used to create sheets of uniform thickness, to mix colors, to condition the clay, and to create patterned sheets. A "clay gun" or extruder with interchangeable die plates allows creation of lengths of clay in a variety of uniform sizes and shapes. Most molding and modeling tools used by traditional sculptors are suitable for polymer clay, but artists often create improvised cutting, piercing, molding, and texturing tools from items used in sewing, cooking, woodworking, and paper crafts. Select this link to view our Tin Santa.