sculpey basics

[daystarclarion.livejournal.com]

Hi eveyone, just found this community. :) i just fell in love with using sculpey to create figurines. i was inspired by my friend's drow character in our d&d game. she has a spider familiar who speaks in squeaks but has becoming an increasingly fun character. so i though, ah why not actually make her? 

i've made 2 versions of the spider so far, and i'm not too happy with them. the first one i made too fat and she kinda toppled forward. the second one's limbs fell off. >< i was using 28 gauge jewelry wire to help stick the limbs in... i suspect i didn't bake it for long enough.

but! i figure enough driving bind. can anyone point me to some good sites with the basics for making sculpey figurines? (i'm not too impressed with the sculpey site). is there a specific type or gauge wire that is best to use? maybe even toothpicks or something thicker?

also, a couple of things i've been wondering: is there a more economical way to buy it than the 2 ounce packs at the craft store? i've also been storing the extras in ziplocks... is that necessary or is there a specific way to store the clay?

i'd love to hear everyone's tips and tricks and whatnot for using sculpey. :) thanks for helping out a noob. :D