Crystal Clay is a two part RESIN clay that comes in a decent variety of colors. It's easily mixed and can be, according to the manufacturer, formed into any shape. You simply pinch off equal parts of #A clay and #B clay, included in the mini kit (see below), condition them and blend them together. You have about 60-90 minutes working time before it will begin to set up. The product will be fully cured in 12-24 hours, depending how thick your project is. *There is no baking.*

The mini kit is sweet: Open it, and you have pretty much everything you need to start having fun. You'll get 50g of clay (it's enough to make several bezels as well as coat a bangle, or a bunch of small beads) , a pair of vinyl gloves (essential) a beeswax dop stick for picking up stones and itty-bits, and even a little bag of SWA (Swarovski) stones (36 teensy ones)....as well as full directions.
All you need is a flat surface....and maybe some more of your own itty-bits and rhinestones .....and you're good to go.

AND....it's MADE IN THE USA.

The pix on the box are inspiring, but most of all, this product (as well as numerous others very much like it, currently on the market---just like polymer clay, you can take your pick which one you like best!) reminds me SO MUCH of vintage low-end 60's resin inlaid jewelry made in India.

Perhaps you remember this type of vintage jewelry. It's called lahk, or lac jewelry, and it was mostly inlaid with little seed beads and tiny mirrors as well as tiny rows of fused beaded plastic chain. This jewelry is still made today, but it's far more glitzy and sophisticated.

Back in the late 60's and early 70's, Indian lahk bangles, pendants, dangly earrings, ornaments, dresser boxes, even mirrors and key chains! were everywhere. I was always intrigued with the idea of setting little objects into whatever that STUFF was---lahk, or a type of resin!---and making my own jewelry. With Crystal Clay, you'll be able to do that!

I cracked open a pack and 'clayed around' with it:

More than finessing the stuff----which will definitely come later! I wanted to see how it responds, ease of use, how it would work with disparate itty bits and how the different itty bits set up. My observations:

1. Mixing the clay is easy, just be sure you eyeball equal parts. You won't want to consciously use more of part A with part B, or vice-versa....it won't set up. Just like all other Resinology....part A and part B need to be equal.

2. You MUST use the gloves in the kit or if you would rather, grab a tight pair of nitrile gloves. Next time I work with this stuff, I'm going to opt for the tight nitrile gloves, I think I would have had an easier time.
The product is a bit tacky and the color will leach out all over the gloves....so where ever you decide to work with it, be sure you don't get it on anything you don't want it on. You will definitely only be able to work with one color at a time, unless of course you figure out a plan and swap out gloves.

3. This product works best, IMHO, in a form of some kind, like a bezel. As the photos on the instructions show, you can make cool little studded beads with them. I would advise that you learn to fill bezels and level them first. It's not terribly difficult, but it's a bit trickier than using polymer clay. Better that you get a good feel for how much to put in the bezel and how to set materials into it. As you can see from the photo, the look is rather like the designer-crude old 60's Made in India lahk pieces---even down to the turquoise color of the clay---but you might want to set a pattern and go for a really professional look.

In that case, buy several packages and devote the first package to the learning process.

4. Another thing to watch for: don't get any residual glue in filigree, or on the backs of your bezels--as you will definitely be spending some time cleaning it off. If that happens, and first time out, it probably will: I'd recommend softening with goo-gone, then peeling off, picking off, or filing off. Once you learn to be neat, however, it won't be an issue.

5. Re: setting stones and itty bits: You need to push them down, level, into the stuff. Not part way.....but rather, all the way to the top rim, or edge of the stone, bead, doo-dad, itty bit.....whatever you're using! You also might want to plan a pattern, first. I didn't, as I was more interested in the experimental side of things. But having a plan before mixing this stuff up (given it has a limited play time) will be important for best success.

6. Use the little beeswax applicator/dop stick, you will be REALLY glad for it. I love that it's included in the kit, it REALLY helped.
I'm happy to say that when I checked my experiments after 12 hours, they were nicely cured.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Brenda Sue Lansdowne is the owner of B'sue Boutiques, the writer of the blog "Jewelry Making Outside the Box" and many You Tube instructional videos.   She writes a weekly newsletter that you can sign up for on the home page of this website, and moderates a discussion group on the B'sue Boutiques Facebook Fan Page.

Read B'sue's About Me, accessible from the top toolbar of this website (on the home page)  to get the whole story.   B'sue began as an antiques dealer/picker who eventually specialized in vintage costume jewelry.  In time, she decided to make her own large line which was sold to over 500 boutiques and gift shops across the country.   In 1997 she began selling jewelry making supplies online.  B'sue has 23 years experience in the business, and loves to share projects and techniques with you.

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Would you like to design a project for our website? All designers will get full credit, links to their website and a gift certificate to spend any way they like at B'sue Boutiques website. Contact B'sue for details at bsue1441@aol.com