MERRIE60: Will it be available in stores
SPORTI883: Any plans for a Canadian distributor?
KELISA3: Do you still have the sample packs on your site?
CLOKITTY: can we get your clay yet, Donna?
SUNNISAN: I assume you are shipping world wide?
MA429: Do you accept Money Orders on your site?
KELISA3: Do you take PayPal?
DONNAKATO: Yes, but they’re going fast! Yes, we will ship to Canada too. Yes, world wide - but, of course, shipping is costly. Soon will be in stores. Vernon doesn’t take PayPal - you think he should?
SUNNISAN: donna - i think your sales will go up with paypal since many of us use only that?

KASREM: yes please except paypal not everyone has credit cards
MBFANS: AmExp too please
JADETURTLE: paypal is great
DONNAKATO: V does take money orders. I’ll take the PayPal issue up with him.
DONNAKATO: He may take amex - but not for about 60 days. Amex takes a big percentage and takes their time paying up!
MERRIE60: The site has different prices for the sample packs what is the correct price first it said 24.99 until April 3 now it says 29.99
MOUSE_378: I emailed, they said 24.99 was a mistake
CLOKITTY: what is the site’s address?

DONNAKATO: www.prairiecraft.com!
1PAULINE : Is the price comparable to premo 2 oz.?
DONNAKATO: The blocks are 3 ounce and at msrp cost the same as 2 oz. premo.
DN537: I am interested in how your clay works...fimo-ish...premo-ish
SPORTI883: Is the translucent as clear or clearer than the Premo bleached?
DONNAKATO: The trans is clearer, I think, than Premo. We vacuum extrude at a higher pull rate and that really seems to remove cloudiness. Of course, it’s not absolutely transparent...Robert and Tony are working on that one!
DN537: no way!! transparent?? I wondered if it wasn’t possible!
DONNAKATO: I think the chemistry is very difficult - making a truly transparent clay might not be possible.

MERRIE60: is it clearer than the bleached clay?
DONNAKATO: You know, I don’t use the bleached clay. I tried it, but I found the color strange.
MERRIE60: oh just wondering I have never used it either just heard about it
BLYNMOON: does the translucent cook up yellowish or cooler like bleached premo
DONNAKATO: cooks up yellowish, not bluish
MERRIE60: will it be available in stores?
DONNAKATO: soon, I hope. we picked up a big distributor at the HIA show and they’re ready to run with it.
TBYTRINA: Can we know who?
DONNAKATO: sure, it’s mcpherson’s!
DONNAKATO: boy, it’s strange seeing all those packages that say kato...

TBYTRINA: Where are they located?
JADETURTLE: lol
DONNAKATO: mcp has three locations, california, illinois, georgia
POPTART10: leaves me out
SUNNISAN: will wee folk be carrying your clay? anyone else? petra in australia? sue heaser?
MERRIE60: what about the east coast?
POPTART10: Hobby Lobby???
NITEFALCON: the name of the distributor doesn’t mean much to me, do they sell to places like Michaels and Hobby Lobby?
DONNAKATO: we hope to get some other internet people on board - robert is taking his time choosing.

SUNNISAN: so it’s the actual manufacturer who is determining the outlets?
DONNAKATO: i love petra and maureen and sue, so it would make me happy
JADETURTLE: petra is great :) she’s the best source for us aussies and kiwis
SUNNISAN: they’re reputable, do you have any sway in rob’t choices?
DONNAKATO: yes, we’ve divided our duties and i have nothing to do with distribution. the answer is no! i leave that up to him
SUNNISAN: ok!!
DONNAKATO: mcpherson’s sells to everyone
POPTART10 : I’m sure Walmart will get it...they get everything!!!
TBYTRINA: I have a new WM just up the street. That would be cool.

DONNAKATO: i’m leery of walmart...they’re so big, they try to dictate policy, etc. don’t get me wrong, i spend a lot of money there - yup, i shop at sam’s and walmart a lot
SUNNISAN: so mcpherson’s is actually a distributor instead of a retailer?
DONNAKATO: yes, mcp is a distributor, not a retailer
TBYTRINA: Did you talk about the odor?
DONNAKATO: it has a different odor the odor is related to color stability so, i think we have to have it it’s whatever that smelly stuff is that keeps colors from shifting
BLYNMOON: is your pearl color pigment free?
TBYTRINA: I think Klew said the odor goes away when it is cured
DONNAKATO: colors don’t change - some will but no more than ½ shade

KELISA3: Well, Donna, your choice of colors are beautiful!
SUNNISAN: speaking of color - do you have glow in the dark and metallics?
DONNAKATO: we have metallics - no glo in the dark. if there is a strong demand for anything, we’ll consider making it.
SPORTI883: metallics...ooooooo :)
STEPHANIELYLE: How does it compare to other clays in terms of white flecks and “moons”?
DONNAKATO: no moons, no flecks. vacuum extrusion takes care of that
MA429: Are you able to create mica shift with the metallics?
KELISA3: I’m excited about your new venture, and hope it goes well for you.
DONNAKATO: yes, the mica is shifting all over the place. the metallics are comparable or (vernon thinks) better than premo

MA429: Excellent!
JADETURTLE: can’t wait to try the metallics
POPTART10: is a moon a white spot that appears for no reason when putting through the pasta machine???
DONNAKATO: moons are moisture in the resins
SUNNISAN: will you have a new book with instructions?
DONNAKATO: we’re negotiating with watson guptill for a book part 2 the katopolyclay site will be devoted to projects and info - not a sales site
SHOESONG: Have you tried mixing it with other clays? If so, results??
DONNAKATO : beta testers mixed a lot and had no problems
MA429: How many passes are required through the pasta machine for conditioning?

DONNAKATO: i usually don’t count. less than fimo and fs not quite as easy as premo but the clay doesn’t get sticky
TOMMIEJ: I just pulled it off the block smushed it once or twice in my fingers and used it.
DONNAKATO: ahhh, those hot hands
SUNNISAN: so it’s easy to condition!
DONNAKATO: yup, i find it very easy
GGJOLLEY: How long does it last before it starts to dry out and crumble?
DONNAKATO: we’ve found that once initial advancing has occurred, let’s say over a period of three weeks, the clay changes very little.
MA429: Are you going to offer a color mixing chart with your clay?

SUNNISAN: and how does the translucent hold up - ie premo cracks as soon as it cools?
MERRIE60: how long to bake?
SUNNISAN: at what temp?
DONNAKATO : I bake for 30 to 45 mins. we will have a color mixing chart. translucent is as strong as all the colors - very, very strong, doesn’t crack, bends. you can bake longer and the color won’t darken - the clay gets stronger and stronger.
SUNNISAN: wow!!
STEPHANIELYLE: How does it compare in terms of strength and blendability?
TOMMIEJ: strongest clay I have used and it blends quite nicely

DONNAKATO: blends well! beta testers said as strong. most said stronger
SPORTI883: trans doesn’t darken either?
DONNAKATO: trans tends to get a little yellow
SPORTI883: Good to know
JENNYPAT: I know you haven’t had the clay out for very long, but how will canes hold up over time, like say a year or so?
DONNABECK: How about sanding?
SUNNISAN: some clays crumble a bit if you slice off the block and run thru the pasta machine. does yours?
DONNAKATO: who said a year? hmmm. i made some, went away for about two weeks and they’re the same as when i left i usually cut the slices about 1/8 to ¼ inch thick, no crumbles can’t pull the whole block through!

JENNYPAT: I asked about the canes, sometimes I make them and don’t use them for a year, Fimo canes are
still workable after that time. Do you think your clay will stand up?
DONNAKATO: yes, very fine clay doesn’t “give up” to pressure i think my clay will definitely stand up
SUNNISAN: what temperature do you bake at?
DONNAKATO: 275 fahrenheit
STEPHANIELYLE: Are you able to get fine detail with sculpting?
DONNAKATO: i’m bringing some clay to the retreat and i will share
TOMMIEJ: I made a dragon using kato clay and I think he turned out rather well detailed..if I say so myself
KELISA3: TommieJ - Yep, I loved your dragon!
SUNNISAN: have you demo’d your new clay on the CD show yet?

POPTART10: ooohhh...i love carol!!
SUNNISAN: folks - CD=Carol Duvall
DONNAKATO: will be in april - march 6th carol will be airing the HIA new products show and I’m on it! i love carol, too! she’s wonderful!
TBYTRINA: March 6 and March17th According to the CD guild
SUNNISAN: that’s great!!
DONNAKATO: thanks trina! it was pretty weird standing in my own booth (well, van aken’s) and seeing the clay
DAVESNYDER14: I would imagine that would be an experience..
SUNNISAN: i’ll bet it was!!! a bit heady, too!

DONNAKATO: I just giggled a lot thank heaven klew, gail ritchey and trudy were there
TBYTRINA: It was great! Everytime I went by there were more people around it. Watch for an article Friday in Polyzine There will be two articles by me HIA and Kato Clay
SUNNISAN: *grin* donna - are there other weaknesses to the clay like the trans yellowing that you folks are working on right now?
DONNAKATO: mmmm...we’re working on getting orders out.
DAVESNYDER14: I’m sure the site is getting hit hard right about now. :)
FLAMEWEAVER: I tried to order off the website and my order just disappeared - no confirmation, no nothing MYSHANTI: Flame that happened to me also, but it’s been fixed now

DONNAKATO: i’m sorry, vernon says there are a few glitches on the site, he’s working on that the shipping cost thing sometimes does weird stuff, too.
FLAMEWEAVER: is there any way to find out whether the order went through?
DONNAKATO: check your orders and let us know if it’s not correct. v is trying to correct just give him a call at 800 779 0615
SUNNISAN: if you forget that, the phone # is on their website at www.prairiecraft.com
KELISA3: Is it a secure site?
DONNAKATO: yes it’s a secure site once the order is placed
BABDU: What retreat will you be attending? Is it MDPAG March 7-10?
DONNAKATO: yes, the mdpag retreat is a yearly event for me - i love it

SUNNISAN: : donna - your pearl clay - does it have added pigment or will it change other colors it’s added to?
DONNAKATO: the pearl is whiter than premo pearl
SUNNISAN: *mind boggles*
DONNAKATO: I’ve been mixing my own mica shift colors - it’s very strong
WYOMINGGAL: Does the pearl change the color of the clay?
DONNAKATO: it makes it more pastel

TRICIALEE5: donna, will crafts ala cart carry your clay?
DONNAKATO: i hope so. connie is working that out with robert
PINZ2: Hi Donna Petra here are you going to be exhibiting at ACCI?
DONNAKATO: yes, hi petra! we’ll be at acci, too how’s everything down under?
JWISECRAFT: Hiya Donna, I’ll be at ACCI with you!
DONNAKATO: yes, julie, i’m going to work you like a doggie
JWISECRAFT: LOL!
DONNAKATO: yippee!
TBYTRINA: When and where is ACCI?
PINZ2: busy as always and lots of enquireies for your clay
JWISECRAFT: It’s in Chicago Trina In July
PINZ2: ACCI chicago 19th to 21st July
TBYTRINA: Too bad. I’m at the OC Fair in July

CLOKITTY: what is the ACCI?
MA429: Where in Chicago on the ACCI?
DONNAKATO: oh, robert will gladly send posters, just let me know where to send them
TBYTRINA: Good. We got cut from 7 to 4 days.
DONNAKATO: the acci is the second biggest craft trade show in the country. every year at the rosemont convention center.
SUNNISAN: donna - right now McPerson’s Distr are the only sellers - are they online so businesses can
hook up with them?
DONNAKATO: i don’t know if they’re online - i would hope so. when stores contact us, we turn that over to robert who then contacts them

SUNNISAN: is rob’t checking out other distributors and/or retailers?
DONNAKATO: looking into school distributors and others
SUNNISAN: cool!
TRICIALEE5: Where and when will clay be available for purchase?
DONNAKATO: can be found now through prairie craft online. soon in retail venues
TBYTRINA: So I can go to Michaels and ask for it?
DONNAKATO: they don’t have it. you know, at this time, we couldn’t service michael’s and their multitude of stores
GGJOLLEY: what about polymer clay express?
DONNAKATO: i don’t know, robert is handling distributor selection

TBYTRINA: Klew’s going to carry it
LGILCH002: If we want to carry it we need to go directly to Robert
DONNAKATO: yup, roberto is the one. or you could go to mcpherson’s and deal with them actually, you’d probably be best off going to mcpherson’s - they’re used to selling to retailers
JADETURTLE: i get all my clay from petra :)) it’s cheaper and quicker by far
SUNNISAN: what about toxicity - is the non-food vessels still applicable with the katoklay?
DONNAKATO: yup, decorative items, only!!!!!
SUNNISAN: after working for a few years w/ clay how do you continue to find new ideas, get inspired...keep it fresh? and when will you be making something with the new clay on the CD show?
DONNAKATO: i just keep working with clay - everyday. when i don’t know what i’m going to do, i don’t stress i just begin making skinner blends or other things i regularly use pretty soon, i’ll get an idea. just don’t stress - ideas will pop into your head.

JWISECRAFT: Good thinking Donna
MBFANS: A true artist!! :o)
SUNNISAN: truly free thinking!
TBYTRINA: That’s the problem, too much popping and not enough producing
DONNABECK: does music help?
DONNAKATO: vernon got me a discman and it would help but it keeps getting stuck on my handle
SUNNISAN: what a good visual!!
JWISECRAFT: LOL!
SUNNISAN: by the way....what do you do with the sticks you’ve been making?
DONNAKATO: i love making sticks - i’m now making message sticks. two part, message inside

SUNNISAN: message stick!! what a neat idea!
JWISECRAFT: Instead of a fortune cookie you get a kato cookie!
FIMOMEELMO: like “fortune sticks”!
SUNNISAN: that’s kato Kooky!! heehee
JENNYPAT: Donna, you said you are going to create a color mixing chart, any idea on how many color mixes you are going to provide?
DONNAKATO: yipes! i’d like to have a huge color mixing chart! online, downloadable. pdf.
SUNNISAN: yeah!
JENNYPAT: OH yes!!!
TRICIALEE5: when you begin a project with one theme in mind, do you find that you don’t necessarily end up with your original idea?

DONNAKATO: all the time. i think something will work and it doesn’t always work out
JWISECRAFT: LOL!
DONNAKATO: i’m the sort who just has to do, not think (that sounds awful)
DAVESNYDER14: lol
SUNNISAN: actually donna, it doesn’t sound awful.
TOMMIEJ: Donna leaps and then looks grin
SUNNISAN: *smile*
DONNAKATO: yes, leap, then look, and hope i don’t end up at the bottom of the grand canyon
MA429: I know the feeling, I tend to do better when I don’t think about it.
DONNAKATO: sometimes, i struggle with scale - you know the bigger the thing or smaller, adjustments have to be made

TBYTRINA: I did that once! Had to hike out with a sprained ankle
TRICIALEE5: yes, scale is also my nemesis....especially when making face canes!
TOMMIEJ: Wouldn’t you be closer to the royal Gorge, Donna?
DONNAKATO: tommie!!!!
DONNAKATO: the first face cane i made had eyes the size of my own - let’s just say, i wasted a lot of clay!
SUNNISAN: not bad for a first!!
DONNAKATO: aack, it was an ugly face i made
JWISECRAFT: Donna, Keely says Hi! and sends a hug your way
DONNAKATO: hi keely! are you helping your mom out?

JWISECRAFT: We have a new baby kittie that she is helping me with
DONNAKATO: i love kitties!
JWISECRAFT: We know you do!
RDRANSOM: kitties are great until they start playing with the pasta machine!
JWISECRAFT: LOL!
DONNAKATO: just don’t get the kitties tangled up in the handle
SUNNISAN: does your clay attract hair inclusions as easily as the others?
DONNAKATO: yes, unfortunately, hair, human and feline, does tend to get in my way. sawdust - not yet
RDRANSOM: how do you keep lint and stuff from getting into your clay - especially the white and translucent? almost all of my stuff has an extra addition from my cat - she loves to watch

TOMMIEJ: cat hair inclusion is bad enough...whole cat inclusion might suck a bit
TBYTRINA: Mine attracts sawdust My husband’s woodshop is next door
MYSHANTI: mine attracts Jake LOL, he loves the clay as much as I do Jake is my lab assistant LOL
SUNNISAN: oh well - hair continues to be that little added extra included free - no charge!!!
DAVESNYDER14: Hair adds strength to the clay, right?
MA429: Donna, how long have you worked with clay?
DONNAKATO: i’ve worked with clay about 10, maybe 15 years????
TRICIALEE5: when making canes, can you add inclusions and still get a straight cut?
JWISECRAFT: Not inclusions....filler
SUNNISAN: wouldn’t it depend on the inclusion you use?

MYSHANTI: Tricialee you mean like mica flakes, etc.?
DONNAKATO: tricialee - what does that mean?
TBYTRINA: I was in a class once where someone used granitex in a cane.
SUNNISAN: if you have, say, glitter, donna’s klay would still cut easily i’d think
DONNABECK: depends on how big the glitter flakes are.
TRICIALEE5: I have added glitter or sand to clay, made cane, then had problem when slicing cane. Inclusions dragged and distorted............what a mess.
DONNAKATO: tricia lee - anything stringy or large flake will drag through clay!
SUNNISAN: donna - did the idea for the new clay creep up on you over time from your close coordination with sculpey and fimo companies? and how did you hook up with rob’t and company?

DONNAKATO: i’m not very good with time - i can’t remember the year vernon and i got married even.
TBYTRINA: I just remember 44 years and counting
DONNAKATO: aha! like everyone, having my own clay was a dream...didn’t seem like a very realistic one, but i always had hopes
MYSHANTI: well we are very happy your dream came true Donna
DONNAKATO: vernon is the one who got the ball rolling.
RDRANSOM: I can’t wait to try the new clay - I just ordered the sample pac today
JWISECRAFT: Vernon is a good man!!! Tell him I said so
DONNAKATO: okay, vernon, you’re a good man
MYSHANTI: Donna, Vernon is terrific, when I had my ordering problem he addressed it immediately. and followed up with me also, now that is customer service!!!!

DONNAKATO: vernon tries his best, he really does. if he messes up, he has to deal with me.
MYSHANTI: LOL
SUNNISAN: *grin*
SUNNISAN: really? how’d vernon do that - get the ball rolling?
DONNAKATO: i’ve known robert [at Aken] for years - knew him to be a perfectionist, have high standards and integrity.
MA429: Having your own clay, with your own name is just fabulous?
TOMMIEJ: I remember sitting on a chair across from Donna with a bunch of people in the room, someone asked “why not make your own clay” Donna says, Oh that would cost too much and be too difficult this was after she said, “Hey Toms, wanna beta test a new clay for me”

JWISECRAFT: LOL!
DONNAKATO: i was playing it cool, toms
TOMMIEJ: it was still pretty funny
SUNNISAN: dunno if i could’ve with a coupe like the new clay!! did you order oodles of it for the initial rush?
DONNAKATO: we didn’t know exactly what would happen, so vernon was rather conservative
JENNYPAT: LOL oops, hopefully not toooo conservative!
SUNNISAN: the new klay is all the buzz!! i’ll betcha end up scrambling for more!
MYSHANTI: OH no doubt about that Sunni
KELISA3: What’s the best slicer to use?
DONNAKATO: i love the nublade the best

KELISA3: Do you use like the jasi cane slicer or anything?
DONNAKATO: i have one - in a box....of course, i also have a pasta machine motor....in another box someone, come to my house and open all these boxes!!!
RONICA447: I’ll come to the house, I could use a tutor!!
MA429: Does Vernon work with clay too?
DONNAKATO: no, he’s not a clayer - he’s kind of uncoordinated
TOMMIEJ: Donna you need to design me a tool to perfectly cut balls of clay into equal parts
DONNAKATO: i’ll work on that better yet, smartie pants, you work on it and i’ll sell it for you
KELISA3: Let’s all go to her house!
DONNAKATO: you’re all welcome to come to my house, btw.

LALG: I’m there!
TOMMIEJ: Party at Donna’s!
DAVESNYDER14: Hope ya have enough room. :)
DONNAKATO: okay...partyyyyyy!!!
MBFANS: We will see just how good a guy Vernon really is. LOL
JWISECRAFT: I’m there!
MA429: I’ll have to walk...afraid to fly..
SUNNISAN: run ma429
MA429: Sunni..I’m way too old for that!
RDRANSOM: Party at DONNA’s!

WYOMINGGAL: Now wouldn’t she be surprised when we all showed up
DAVESNYDER14: and a lot of clay on hand. ;)
DEEDOW: Got my tooth brush
DONNAKATO: he’ll cook for us and do laundry - just don’t bring any wool
RJR0208: and the man cooks!
LALG: LOL
JWISECRAFT: Rick can help cook

TBYTRINA: Aren’t you right down the road from the Petrified Forest?
RJR0208: I am right down the road from the PF
DONNAKATO: no, i think the petrified forest is in arizona - i’m close to the fossil beds
TBYTRINA: Oh, fossil beds that is what I meant
KELISA3: It’s a gooooooo!
SUNNISAN: donna - after all the sample packs are gone, will the clay be sold in the small blocks as well as the larger bricks?
DONNAKATO: not at prairie craft - v will be selling only big blocks
SUNNISAN: so the 3oz will be thru mcpherson’s
DONNAKATO: 3 oz through retailers!

DYLINNB: I came in late. Have we already talked about where the new clay is made?? Factory? Kitchen??
DONNAKATO: lol, clay is made in rancho cucamonga, ca
SUNNISAN: dylinn - clay is made by a major league manufacturer.
TBYTRINA: Now Rancho Cuc is by MY house!
SUNNISAN: donna - is there a difference in the finish to your clay after baking from the other clays? more translucent? more rich? smoother texture?
DONNAKATO: yes, the clay exhibits a sheen. i just rub it lightly with a cloth to matte it is smoother.
SUNNISAN: oh wow, so it’s glossy first? then matte? i HATE sanding

DONNAKATO: clay is opaque you’ll need to sand to get glassy sheen add a drop of dish soap to water
DYLINNB: Will your clay have “mica shift” ability?
DONNAKATO: yes, dylinn, it does the mica shift thing
TRICIALEE5: donna, how many colors are available?
KELISA3: 17 colors
SUNNISAN: donna - can you get a good skin translucency by mixing your beiges and trans?
DONNAKATO: i haven’t tried mixing beige and trans. the beige is slightly trans to begin with i’m still in technicolor mode
SUNNISAN: i love your current mode!
DONNAKATO: thanks! the wore my eyes get, the brighter the colors and the bigger the things i make i’ll try
mixing beige and trans and let you know

SUNNISAN: thx - i’ll share the news as there are a bunch of doll artists interested in katoklay to
JWISECRAFT: Donna is there eventually going to be any glow in the dark colors?
DONNAKATO: might be, julie. we’re talking about sfx colors now
JWISECRAFT: Gotta make sure I can still make those glowing in the dark witch beads ya know.
DONNAKATO: hahaha
JENNYPAT : Donna, do you think you could create a frequently asked question list, and post it on your website? Or on the message boards? it seems a lot of people would like that
DONNAKATO: yes, i‘d be happy to i think that’s on the vanaken.com site and will be katopolyclay and vernon’s site, too

JENNYPAT: OH great!
RDRANSOM: will you eventually be selling your clay retail?
DONNAKATO: yes, stores will have it soon joann’s wants it that much i do know
DEEDOW: Joann’s? that would be cool. I haven’t seen any clay in those stores.
RDRANSOM: cool I wish the craft stores had more of your tools and stuff, too.
DYLINNB: yeah!
DONNAKATO: the coolest part is the cost - 3 ounces for the price of 2!
MARCELLAB2: When you do a project on Carol Duvall, is it something you do for free/recognition, or do you get paid?
DONNAKATO: when i worked for polyform, it was part of my job. faber paid me for my appearances. last year, i footed the bill myself. carol d has done sooo much for me - i’d recommend doing the show for nothing if the opportunity arises

SUNNISAN: so YOU pay Carol to do shows?
JENNYPAT: I have to tell you Donna, I sell my polymer clay work at a lot of craft fairs, and conventions, and everywhere I go people know who you are, your name on the Clay will sell it!!! and most of those people know you from CD!
DONNAKATO: i hope so, i’m just very thankful that robert thought so, too that’s what i mean about doing so much for me - carol has such a following, anyone who shows up on a regular basis benefits
MARCELLAB2: btw, you were my first clay Guru when I saw you on Donna’s show...thank you!
RJR0208: I remember when you were on Aileen’s doing the bird houses
DONNAKATO: wow, that was a lonnnng time ago
RDRANSOM: my daughter just came in and said is that the real Donna Kato?? WOW!! We watch Carol Duval religiously!

TOMMIEJ: Donna, I have a question that your counter part may actually know more about...will there be an attempt to tap the non-traditional polyclay market, ie garage kit sculptors, model makers and toy sculptors?
DONNAKATO: yes, yes, yes, toms. i think the clay will be well received in that group we’re sending clay to a garage kit show
SUNNISAN: oh cool!! i can hardly wait to hear their testing results!
TOMMIEJ: Well just so you know....Wonderfest is here in Louisville if you want to pass some around there, i will be going grin Wonderfest being the Horror and sci fi hobby convention
DONNAKATO: toms, let me the details and i will send clay
TOMMIEJ: will email you Donna let me look that up real quick!
DONNAKATO: i think it would pay carol [a compliment if all of you would email her and tell her how much you appreciate her show]. she’d really get a charge out of it

(Note from SUNNISAN: The HGTV address is PO Box 50970, Knoxville, TN 37950. The email address is comments@hgtv.com)

SUNNISAN: we can do that!!
STARGAZERCA: we can do that!! :)
DONNABECK: what is her email addy?
RDRANSOM: she seems like such a genuine person - I love her show
DAVESNYDER14: Will do...
MARCELLAB2: hope it doesn’t crash her email lol
DONNAKATO: you can email her through the hgtv website, i’m sure she’s down to earth, honest, hard working and really wonderful
RDRANSOM: I like that she isn’t trying to sell stuff, just share her love of crafting
JWISECRAFT: What about SCD Donna? Were you planning on going this year?

DONNAKATO: yes, i’ll be at scd...it’s in chicago!!!
JWISECRAFT: I’m joining this year
DONNAKATO: good, julie, it’s a very good organization. network, network, network
MA429: Where is SCD being held?
JWISECRAFT: Chicago
DONNAKATO: i think scd is going to be in schaumburg?
TBYTRINA: A really toddling town
JWISECRAFT: I’m trying
DYLINNB: How about image transfers?

DONNAKATO: i don’t do many myself, but beta testers had really good results. about image xfers, that is
RDRANSOM: how do you get to be beta testers?
DONNAKATO: i went to my many lists and picked people who did as many different things as possible not all jewelers, or sculptors, or whatever, i wanted a good cross section I had wonderful testers - honest, diligent. you know, the negative comments were so helpful this clay wouldn’t be what it is without them
RDRANSOM: we have heard nothing but good stuff from the testers on the lists!
LGILCH002: Who is going to demo at ACCI Donna:
DONNAKATO: well, my demo artists are julie wise, bunny (rachael cuttill) and tara brayshaw.
LGILCH002: Great can’t wait to see them all again

DONNAKATO: i welcome anyone who is interested. if you want some experience, i think we can fit you in!
MARCELLAB2: wow, that would be a blast
RDRANSOM: If you need any more, I’d love to!! :)
LGILCH002: I will be there!!!
JENNYPAT: Mee too! i would love to demo for you!
RONICA447: Me 3 =)
DONNAKATO: okay, jenny pat, you can demo too! okay, ronica, you too. we’ll email after chat - dkato@pcisys.net
SUNNISAN: i can imagine her crisp quilt canes in your new klay, donna!
JENNYPAT: Really!

RDRANSOM: kewl!
MARCELLAB2: ohhh, definitely Jenny’s quilts
DONNAKATO: yes, jenny, i think your quilt canes are divine!
JENNYPAT: Thanks Donna When is ACCI?
DONNAKATO: i think it’s mid june or july
JWISECRAFT: July 19, 20, and 21st
TBYTRINA: Somebody needs to write up the show for PZ?
JWISECRAFT: I’ll be there Trina
TBYTRINA: OK, Julie, write it up! And take pics
JWISECRAFT: :)

KELISA3: Do you ever hit the southern states? We need more people aware of the product in FL - no guild or anything here...
DONNAKATO: hey, time to start a florida guild
RDRANSOM: are you going to be in the Dalls area anytime?
DONNKATO: i like the southern states -- haven’t been in a while, though seems most shows are west coast or midwest
RDRANSOM: You are welcome in Dallas!!!
JENNYPAT: Hey RD, i am going to be in Dallas at the end of March, for the Dallas quilt show there
DONNAKATO: i think hia is in dallas not next year, but the year after might end up at namta in philly - i love philly

RDRANSOM: maybe I can help out so I can get into HIA
DONNAKATO: sure, be happy to help you get into the show!
RDRANSOM: That would be awesome! tell me what to do
DONNAKATO: rd ransom, are you in dallas, or southern california?
RDRANSOM: Dallas
DONNAKATO: we have some time to work on getting you into hia - two years! we’ll keep in touch...keep your eyes open for dates
CLAUKKONEN: I know that I can’t wait to try my faux abalone in the new clay!
TOMMIEJ: I am working on a bust of Frankenstein’s Monster in kato clay right now! grin

JWISECRAFT: LOL!
RDRANSOM: I can’t wait to do some pens - I’m a pen-aholic!
DONNAKATO: can’t wait to see faux abalone and, or course frankenstein’s monster
LGILCH002: Are you going to have a class or workshop at ACCI?
DONNAKATO: i think i’m too late for class
JWISECRAFT: Feb 1st I think was the cut off date
MARCELLAB2: Donna, do you do private classes?
DONNAKATO: i haven’t done any private classes...when i get home, i just tend to stay here in my polar fleece
DYLINNB: Another question from a frustrated fan who can’t get in...do you have to condition your clay as long as fimo/cernit? And does it stay soft being stored for six months or more?

DONNAKATO: no, conditioning is faster and easier
SUNNISAN: donna - i work mostly in 3D - how does your clay blend at the seams?
MARCELLAB2: How long does it take you to put together an idea for a magazine article? Or do you just pull from items you’ve already made?
TOMMIEJ: seams beautifully but Donna can answer for herself grin
JWISECRAFT: LOL!
(DONNAKATO has left the chat)
DONNABECK: oh no
DONNABECK: !
MARCELLAB2: pouts

TRICIALEE5: thanks, tommie
SUNNISAN: oh eek!! hang on folks. delphi just hiccuped donna off
SUNNISAN: thx tommie - does it require much work to blend a seam to invisibility?
TOMMIEJ: not at all
SUNNISAN: thx tommie
TOMMIEJ: it blends nicely and with little effort...even after I leached the hell out of it
SUNNISAN: tommie - is the katoklay soft as premo?
TOMMIEJ: not quite as soft, but close and not at all sticky
SUNNISAN: so it’ll be easy on arthritic hands.
JWISECRAFT: It’s soft but not sticky

WYOMINGGAL: That’s what I will like - no sticky clay (VBG)
JWISECRAFT: You got that right Kathy!
MYSHANTI: Tommie is the leaching a necessary step?
SUNNISAN: does it take as long to leach?
TOMMIEJ: the beauty of that being is that you can leach it to suit you. I wanted a clay I didn’t have to leach but Kathy Dewey set me straight...if you want it soft don’t leach then you can vary leaching time to get any consistency in between.
MYSHANTI: ok great, thank you
SUNNISAN: thank you tommie!!
DYLINNB: What do you leach it with?

TOMMIEJ: Well this I am using now, I leached for five days
SUNNISAN: dylin - i use typing paper
TOMMIEJ: I use typing paper too
SUNNISAN: that’s a firm clay, tommie!
DYLINNB: thanks
JWISECRAFT: regular copy paper
WYOMINGGAL: Use those extra sheets the printer spews off with one line of typing. Just cut off the printing.
DEEDOW: You can use paper bags from the store also.
TOMMIEJ: yes it is...you can mash it and it won’t take finger prints after 5 days of leaching that is grin
SUNNISAN: ?? it won’t? are you using katoklay?

JWISECRAFT: hehehe
TOMMIEJ: yes
SUNNISAN: hmmmm. *mind whirls*
TBYTRINA: Why so long?
TOMMIEJ: because I love my clay to be extra firm...I tend to get a little well...strong handed with it
SUNNISAN: brb gang - I’m gonna see if I can help donna get back in.
JWISECRAFT: heh
TOMMIEJ: and soft clay just goes right out of shape when I work with it but to do a clay painting you want it soft

SUELFER: i like hard clay too just bought some premo but haven’t used it yet
MYSHANTI: Tommie have you worked with the translucent?
TBYTRINA: yes the translucent ads a nice waxy feel to whatever you add it to
SUNNISAN: ok gang - donna will be back in about 5 min - she had to reboot.
CANEGURU: lol
JENNYPAT: Tommie, did you come up with a mix for a nice flesh color?
TOMMIEJ: but I didn’t use it for it’s translucent qualities...per se well I only had black, white, and trans. waiting to get a full color pack
JENNYPAT: ahh, OK
JWISECRAFT: I’m interested in coming up with skin tones too Jenny

MYSHANTI: I have a problem with costuming when I use translucent as it cracks and breaks off before curing if I let it set any length of time I am hoping Donna’s clay does not do that
CANEGURU: Did Donna say when the stuff will be shipping? ohhhh. hope it’s early march
RDRANSOM: beginning of March or end?
TKAYLEN: I called about my order today and Vernon said it would be shipping next week.
CANEGURU: good. I have an order in as well
TBYTRINA: They already have tons of orders
SUELFER: so has ANYONE seen the kato yello?
CANEGURU: nope
CANEGURU: not here anyway

JWISECRAFT: not yet
SUNNISAN: yeah!! what’s the yellow like! tommie? julie?
TBYTRINA: I saw it at HIA, Klew likes it
SUELFER: i don’t like every yellow i’ve seen (i’m new to clay tho...) they all look green or red to me
TOMMIEJ: haven’t seen any of the colors in person ‘cept the trans and the monochromes
JWISECRAFT: We don’t have it yet Sunni
SUNNISAN: i wonder if the kato colors will be as close to oil paint or acrylic as the premo colors are.
CANEGURU: That’s not what I heard
CLAYPLAY: I am a late comer. Could anyone sum up the highlights of the chat, please (and thank you)

SUNNISAN: there are 17 colors, no air bubbles, it’s on sale in big blocks at prairie crafts, McPherson’s is the current distributor
JWISECRAFT: We’ll have to ask Donna when she gets back in
KELLIEAK: who here has used the katoclay?
TOMMIEJ: me
TBYTRINA: colors stay true, not sticky
KELLIEAK: yes, I read your review. what do you think of it, julie?
JWISECRAFT: I have I personally think it’s the best caning clay out there
( DONNAKATO has joined the chat)
MARCELLAB2: cheers!

WYOMINGGAL : wb Donna
RJR0208: WB Donna
CANEGURU: hi Donna
RDRANSOM: whooohoooo!!
DONNAKATO: i’m back....my computer crashed and i had to reboot and all the rest
TKAYLEN: Yeah, Donna’s back
JWISECRAFT: WB Donna
MACKIMBA: YEAH!!!!! WB Donna!
SUNNISAN: welcome back donna!! tommie and julie have been fielding questions for you!! LOL RONICA447: WB Donna!

DONNAKATO: they’re the greatest! thanks, kids we tried to make each color the same consistency and that makes for better caning
SUNNISAN: so one color isn’t “richer” than another? does that mean the colors don’t bleed into one another in canes?
DONNAKATO: well, we’ve also tried to load the colors equally. you know certain colors just run over others. like reds, they tend to be sooo strong
SUNNISAN: oh. ok!! so some will still need some dilution w/trans
MOUSE_378: are you going to have a TLS type product?
DEEDOW: Yes PLEASE make a TLS type product!!!!

MOUSE_378: in bigger bottles!
DONNAKATO : eventually, i think we will have tls or whatever we call it
TBYTRINA: Do the strong colors come off on your hands?
DONNAKATO: yes, i think the red might black comes off on my hands, but it didn’t on some of the beta testers...i think it’s just personal chemistry sometimes the other colors don’t come off on my hands at all
WYOMINGGAL: May have something to do with warm hands
JWISECRAFT: I didn’t have that happen with the black Donna, while you were rebooting the question was asked about how close to the oil paint colors palette will the kato colors be?
SUNNISAN: are the colors close to the paint pallette like alizaron red and cadmium yellow etc?
DONNAKATO: re color: we chose to approach color not from an academic perspective colors, if placed on a color wheel would be pretty evenly spaced around this we think makes color mixing more intuitive

CANEGURU: Donna I hear you’re shipping in March. Early or late?
DONNAKATO: vernon hopes to begin shipping by latest mid next week [Mar 4-7, 2002]
CANEGURU: And will you be able to keep up with the backorders right away?
DONNAKATO: i sure hope so. robert can ship to us fast
SUNNISAN: is rob’t manufacturing to compensate for the rush?? *grin*
CANEGURU: cool. those of us who have standing orders can expect ours to go out soon then?
DONNAKATO: yes, i think we now have a better idea of how much we’ ll need to make
TERI_G: I was just at vanaken.com - didn’t see any mention of Kato clay. :-(
DONNAKATO: oh, noooooooo!
SUNNISAN: uh oh?

JWISECRAFT: I have been all over their site also and have not seen anything
DONNAKATO: we’ve all been working so hard, so much to do, if it’s not there, it will be soon
TERI_G: only thing in the “what’s new” was something about Claytoon
DONNAKATO: i refreshed and crashed
CANEGURU: sounds like my work day
CANEGURU: refresh and crash
DONNAKATO: yes, i think it might be a good bumper sticker
TERI_G: I’m like everybody else - can’t wait to get my hands on the stuff, so in the meantime just trying to read all about it
CANEGURU: :)

SUNNISAN: donna - will you be putting out a project video with the new klay?
DONNAKATO: i’ve been thinking about that. burt wants me to do some more i may do them, but now, i’m thinking of a book
SUNNISAN: ok - i’ll wait. i like both venues!!
DONNABECK: A BOOK???
JWISECRAFT: What kind of a book, Donna?
SUNNISAN: is it due out in 2003 sometime?
DONNAKATO: originally, i thought of just updating my book 00 then we said they’d revisit my contract so, i might do a part 2
KELLIEAK: please, another book would be great

JWISECRAFT: Well then you have to come to dinner again afterwards and sign it
DONNAKATO: okay, you’re on
DMACIOLEK: We would love a book, video and a couple more visits to PCC here at Delphi :)
MACKIMBA: Donna, I have a very important question for you regarding the Mich retreat.
SUNNISAN: like what kind of fudge does she want!!
KELLIEAK: LOL
DONNAKATO: what question about the retreat?
MACKIMBA: Sunni asked it - what kind of Fudge do you want?

SUNNISAN: donna - she makes killer fudge
MACKIMBA: Donna had some of it last year at the retreat On Saturday
DONNAKATO: oh!!! i love fudge!!!! any kind, any kind
JWISECRAFT: Kewl
DONNAKATO: oh boy
MACKIMBA: I make an awesome cinnamon fudge now, too
DONNAKATO: i love cinnamon
MACKIMBA: Do you have a preference re: dark or milk chocolate?
DONNAKATO: milk!
SUNNISAN: donna - DMA has a good point. we maxed out the room tonight. would you consider revisiting this chat after the MD retreat?

DONNAKATO: sure, i’d be very happy to i’m not so good with time, as you might know, but, i’d love to
SUNNISAN: ok - i’ll email you and we’ll work something out!!
SUELFER: there are lots of tuts and ideas online...are there any courses available online?
DONNAKATO: i don’t know of any courses, but i think that’s a splendid idea
DMACIOLEK: All Donna’s have good ideas :) I think there are at least 3 of us here now
DONNAKATO: thank you, thank you, my mother thanks you, too
LGILCH002: Has your mom tried your clay Donna?
DONNAKATO: she’s tried clay, but not mine yet. i think she might just stand the packages up and never open them
SUNNISAN: ladies and gentlemen, our time with donna is up!! i would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for being with us tonite!!

Guest Chat Log Index

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