I’m glad to see some interest in Lumina Polymer Clay! I’d like to share my thoughts and hopefully answer some questions about this remarkable clay.
I decided to try Lumina in 2005 after noting its similarities to Modena, a clay I really liked, but is only sold in Japan. Lumina is an air drying, resin-based, polymer clay that holds up well even when rolled out thin. It’s semi waterproof and very flexible. Cured pieces won’t break but they can tear, warp (if stored incorrectly), or melt (if left in water for a while). It’s great for making lifelike flowers, leaves, and thin delicate forms. Its strength is greatly increased with a beading wire core for the more delicate and thin pieces.
Lumina doesn’t stick to itself well, but a little Mod Podge makes an excellent bond. This clay only comes in translucent, but by kneading in acrylic paint, you can completely customize the color. Kneading in the paint is a messy job, but it beats having to buy a bunch of different colors.
It’s important to keep Lumina at its ideal moisture level so it maintains the right texture. While I’m working with it, I knead in a little water occasionally to keep it from drying out too much. So far, I’ve only been able to find it online at dickblick.com and joann.com.Lumina does have a few cons. If you’re used to working with the oven cured clays, it may take a bit to get accustomed to this clay. It’s quick drying nature makes it less than ideal for sculpting large, thick pieces, or canes. I’ve left packages out for less than a week only to discover I had a nice mold garden or a solid, dried up brick where my clay used to be. You can avoid both problems by storing it sealed tightly in the refrigerator. This past summer was extraordinarily humid, which caused all of my Lumina pieces to become unusually soft and even a little droopy. Fortunately, they returned to their usual state as soon as the air dried up again. The biggest con I’ve noticed is an unfortunate increase in price in the past year from $7-8 to over $10. I’m optimistically hoping that trend will change.I hope you’ll try it out and find a new favorite. I’d be glad to answer any other questions if I can 
I’ve always been obsessed with this clay, but not brave enough to use it. It seems to take on detail better than polymer.
When you say “translucent” is it clearer than the translucent polymer clays?
BEAUTIFUL work, btw.
Oh- how does it stand up to sanding and a coat of gloss, like Varathane?
Your pieces are quite beautiful. Thanks for sharing your technique and tips. Does lumina clay shrink after it’s dried? I like to make clay tiles to apply to furniture pieces. Is it strong enough to act as a clay tile? and Does it shrink as it dries?
Thankss for writing an article on lumina polymer clay.I have never heard of it before and I am now intrigued at the thought of playing with it in the future! LOL
mmm….am worried about the mold factor. Living in a fairly humid environment, would this translate to jewelry becoming moldy? I like the idea of being able to make ‘cordings’ for necklaces though
Hey Camille,
I was intrigued by the lumina clay and have tried to buy it from Dick Blicks - they said it is no longer in production. Is there another air dry clay i could use. I have seen the brand Makins air dry clay is that the same??
Thank you for you informative site and your generous way of sharing your techniques.
Sharon
Thank you so much for taking the time to detail your thoughts on this new clay. It is all so expensive and I never know just what to buy. I want to try this!
Best wishes,
Stacy
I can’t find any place online to get lumina clay. I keep seeing that it’s discontinued. Do you have any sources of where to find it?
I am very impressed with what you have done with the Lumina polymer clay. Totally love those leaves! Once it is baked, do you sand and buff Lumina the same as you sand and buff regular polymer clay? How about the finish on it… Is it matte or gloss?
I really like how you can cover the wire with it and it stays flexible. I’m not sure if I could get my oven baked polymer clay that thin on a wire and not have it break. I will give Lumina a try sometime. It looks real cool.
Cindy Lietz
“I learned by making mistakes… Now you don`t have to.”
Thank you for sharing these new ideas. I like Your Views and article and also Your site has Lots of Useful Information. Here i am Sharing my ideas http://body-jewelry-designer-gold-silver-art.blogspot.com
Very strange stuff, reminds me of playdoe i used to play with as a kid!
WHAT BRAND OF ACRILIC PAINTS YOU USE?????
Hi Camille
We are launching a new art and craft chgallenge blog, to promote cross over of inspration and tecqniques from one art and caraft form to another. It launches 19th June . You can see blog in development at http://www.thisthursday.wordpress.com
We are contacting you to see if you would consider being a guest designer for one week. Guest designer recieve a design pack amnd have approximatly 3 weeks to create and submit photo of a crafted item based on that weeks challenge theme. It maybe that the design pack for that weeks theme may or may not fit in your field of speciality so guest designers have an opt out of using it. The regular design team have to use it.
It could be a great way of promoting your work and your site .
If you are interested please email me at thisthursday@artlover.com
yours Tracey
Is this clay off the market? I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
I read about Lumina clay in in the booklet Air dry clay by Judy Ross (design originals) and her article in Expressions magazine Mar05.
I was considering buying Lumina because of its mold making properties. However I am not going to be using this product and I want to thank you for this article exposing its “little secrets” . I live in a area with mostly dry days/ humid nights. I tend to keep crafting items until i get around to using them. I certainly don’t want a mold garden I want to mold faces or make a garden! And the fridge storage is out- talk to the rest of the family… all men! Again, thanks so much I needed this!
Hi, there, I enjoyed checking out your website and learning about Lumina Polymer clay at the current time I use Polymer Clay,and I’m still learning how to use it, but I had a thought about your clay, when your done with a piece of work, have you tried to coat the clay piece with polyacrylic protective finish? Now, I use the waterbased version for easy clean up, but they do make other versions of it.. you might try it on your clay and see if it would protect your pieces from falling apart and melting when done..As for myself I just started doing polymer clay jewelry about 6 months ago maybe a bit longer, I haven’t made many pieces yet, but I have made a few pendants, I’m trying to get much better before I decide to put them online and sell them. I guess it will be awhile..Keep in touch if you want too.. Kimberley
Me too! Just got to learn of Lumina polymer clay, and really want to try it right away … BUT, unable to buy it! Can’t find it in stores nor from the Web (seems it’s out of stock/not available everythwere
The article is very interesting.i also create jewelries with fimo and syntetic ceramics,but this lumina polymer clay i think is more durable and easy to work(from your description)than fimo.i hope i will find it here in Romania(someday):) Thanks
Hi Cammille,
I am still really intriged about your work with the lumina clay. I tried to order it in the U.S. but doing that from the Netherlands is a bit expensive. So I found Modena clay here in a shop! It’s really different, because i’m used tp Premo and Kato clay.
But I like the possibilities and love to experiment with it. As I understand from your blog, it’s almost the same as Lumina.
I have to compliment you on your princess Midna! She’s awsome! I just got the Zelda for the Wii, and love it.
Happy holidays and i hope to see more of your work in 2009,
Bianca
Just amazing! I am so impressed.
Wow! Thanks for all the great ideas.
polymer clay jewelry
can you help me out find lumina ? I live in vancouver bc thanks. Here in bc apparently nobody carry lumina. Do you know the name of some store? cheers
Hi Camille,
I came across your site while trying to find out more information about this mysterious clearanced Lumina clay I came across at a craft supply outlet. They have it marked down (the sealed 5.25 packages) to nearly nothing and had around 30 packages left today.
Let me know if you are interested in having me pick some up - I’d be happy to trade for some of your gorgeous work!
I am so looking forward to trying this clay!!
How translucent is it - more than the polymer clays?
Can you apply varnish to it, maybe it would seal it so it wouldn’t
react to moisture.
Thanks!
this is my 1st time browsing your web page and i’m inspired can really see myself turning into a regular visitor, amazing write-up