Polyform Responds
Polyform listened! They posted an update on their Facebook Discussion page this morning, saying they have reconsidered the decision to discontinue Premo colors Cobalt Blue and Zinc Yellow. I'm re-posting the announcement here, since it's kinda buried in the 100+ comments pleading with them to change their minds:
Polyform has reviewed all of your heartfelt comments in reference to Premo Cobalt Blue and Premo Zinc Yellow. In response to your needs we are going to find a way to keep these colors available for you. We will work with distributors and will post the information as soon as we finalize the details.
To answer some of your other concerns:
Frost has been renamed White Translucent in order to clarify it’s color to new users. The color has not changed.
Copper has changed, there will be a color recipe to create the older version of this color. The new Copper color is closer to the color of a new copper penny.
The fluorescent colors have been discontinued. Two new colors, Wasabi and Candy Pink, are quite bright and sure to make a “color pop” in your creations.
The recipes for discontinued colors, with the exception of the fluorescent colors, will be available. Many of the recipes use new colors so releasing the formulas now will not help you. We’ll release the formulas on January 3rd when the new colors are going to be available to ship.
We are really excited about our new line of Premo Accents, Premo and Sculpey III, as we’re sure you will be. Designers who have already used these colors are singing their praises. They’re on trend, as well as colors designers have requested.
Your comments were heard, your loyalty appreciated.
I'm pleased (and honestly, a little surprised!) to see that Polyform has responded so quickly to the polymer clay community's "concerns." And I'm grateful social media has made it simple for the community to makes its voice heard.
Just a couple of extra notes:
- One of the comments on Polyform's Facebook page was from Kathleen Dustin, who said, "Is there a way you can produce once-a-year-run of Cobalt Blue and Zinc Yellow to sell to places like PolymerClayExpress and other distributors for the polymer community?" Considering the wording of Polyform's announcement, I wouldn't be surprised to see an arrangement like this.
- I'm excited to hear that "White Translucent" = Frost. (Though I wonder why they didn't just say it was being renamed in the first place..)
Now that that's settled, let's all get back to work. :-)
Comments
To me it would make no difference whatsoever if polyform selects some retale shops in USA to sell primary colours when I am selling polymer clay in Europe. I just hope primaries will be available to all and everyone no matter where we are. In europe sales of Premo polymer clay will drop drastically if you take away zinc yellow and cobolt blue - even when the actual colours dont sell the ability to mix colours still is a sell point.
Pörrö
Polymer clay artist
Retale seller of clay and tools since 2006
Posted by: Pörrö | November 22, 2010 3:52 PM
I think it's just marketing backpedaling. Just which designers have had their paws on this and are singing the praises of the new colors? The artists and teachers I know and respect all voiced dismay over the changes- I want NAMES. And how are wasabi and candy pink going to replace the way the eye received light/color from fluorescent colors? I think the statement that"colors are on trend" is a dead giveaway that their target market is not artists - it's hobbiests and teenyboppers.
Edie
Posted by: edie | November 23, 2010 6:50 AM
Pörrö, The specific shop Dustin mentioned, Polymer Clay Express, is an online shop that ships worldwide. However, as a clay distributor yourself, you may want to get in touch with your Polyform representative to insure they continue providing you with those colors.
Edie, I spent a fair bit (actually, too much!) time looking at Polyform's Facebook page lately. Although her comments are now buried by all the outcry, one designer I saw was Syndee Holt. She was raving about the new "Lemonade" color and mentioned she had 2 of the other new colors. Since Lemonade is a Sculpey III color, a lot of serious clay artists (most?) don't consider it relevant. Still, it shows there's somebody getting a look at the colors. I kinda wonder, since Syndee Holt was at last month's Sandy Camp, if maybe the Polyform rep took some samples there and handed them out to a select few artists...?
Posted by: Angela Mabray | November 23, 2010 10:29 AM
I´ve actually been there. twice ;)
To me this issue is about ability to sell Premo as art material instead of craft material. If primary colours are not available easily it should not be sold as art material. I know that many of my customers dont mix colours at all - but they still buy Premo instead of other brands just because you COULD mix colours like with acryllic paints :)
Posted by: Pörrö | November 23, 2010 2:19 PM
Thanks for the reminder, Pörrö. Since I've only purchased from their online store, I'd forgotten Polymer Clay Express has a physical shop, too. You're fortunate you've gotten to visit twice -- I would love to go!
As for those primary colors, you're right that they are of utmost importance to artists mixing their own colors. I think we'll have to wait and see how readily available Polyform makes them. For right now, I'm just grateful they're not completely discontinued.
Posted by: Angela Mabray | November 24, 2010 9:14 AM