Member Benefits 077: Tips Baking
Cindy’s latest stuff on baking clay properly sets the standard, one of the best sources of info on the web, so use the search engine on the site. There is a ton of information contained within all Cindy’s blogs, tutes, and commentaries, and it is an amazing resource. Thanks Cindy. You do not know how much I appreciate it. ~Jocelyn-C >> Original comment was posted here: Selling Polymer Clay Jewelry at the Public Market
I want to thank you all for your great suggestions that complemented the video on baking polymer clay beads. As I said I finally gave in and bought the Beginner course. I made some more snowmen letter pendants using some translucent clay, another pair of prayer hands… put them on a bed of corn starch, lightly covered them, tented it, baked it at 255 in my convection oven (did not want to go crazy watching it in the toaster oven. Baked them for 1 hour..took them out to cool off and then baked them again for 30 minutes..and wow they came out great. It is a pain in the neck getting off the corn starch but I would rather do that then have to make them over for the fourth time. I can not thank you and everyone else enough for all your help. I took pictures of the finished projects and will ask my hubby to help me send them so everyone one can see how they have helped me. Again thank you all so very much… including Cindy for her great tuts and patience with me… as we get older it takes us a little longer, at least for me, to say that I do not know everything (even though I have done so much reading and research on the internet about polymer clay… only with Cindy’s easy explanation and video and everyone elses help have I been able to have such success with the least amount of stress. ~Natalie-H >> Original comment was posted here: Snowman Beads for Christmas
This was very helpful, my polymer clay creations always ended up looking darker when I baked it and I couldn’t find a way to stop that from happening. Now its not a problem :) ~Lillith-S >> Original comment was posted here: Tent Polymer Clay While Baking To Avoid Scorching
Great advise! I have learned the time and temp is very important when making quality pieces. As well as having well conditioned clay. Craftsmanship should be a priority when creating jewelry, art, or any craft. It will make all the difference. I still hate sanding but that makes all the difference, too! I do know that the Sculpey Eraser Clay is recommended to be baked at a lower temp and for only ten minutes. It is not good to over bake this type of clay. Maybe the other person thought all polymer clay was the same. Just glad I found you Cindy! I have never received bad advise, bad information, or incomplete instructions from you. You are well informed and easy to follow. ~Catalina-L >> Original comment was posted here: Ten Minutes NOT Long Enough to Bake Polymer Clay
Wow, Cindy this was a fantastic series! I loved the styrofoam tip, then when I saw where you were going with the oven rack I said out loud… oh my gosh she’s going to hang those right on the rack!!!!!! Totally impressive, I love it! Thank you. ~Michelle-A >> Original comment was posted here: Mistletoe Ornament Polymer Clay Tutorial
Woo hoo! I knew about baking on paper (THANKS to Christie Friesen for that tip!) but never thought to make a sandwich. My flat pieces will look sooooo much better! ~TK >> Original comment was posted here: Baking Flat Polymer Clay
Another trick is to bury your beads in bicarbonate of soda (a.k.a. bicarb soda, a.k.a. baking soda). I start with a thick layer of bicarb soda in an ovenproof dish. Then, if I’m making weirdly-shaped/delicate items that need to be supported during baking to keep their shape, I’ll mound the bicarb soda up or make dips in it as required, and put my items in place. Lastly, I’ll cover everything with another thick layer of bicarb soda (piling it up over the mounds if necessary) before popping it all into the oven. Remember to allow extra baking time because the bicarb soda takes a while to get to temperature. This approach does three good things at once: it supports your clay so you don’t get distortion or flat spots; it keeps the temperature very even; and it avoids discolouration from things like exposure to the heating elements, fumes from residue in the oven, etc. Some people do the same thing using cornflour (a.k.a. cornstarch) instead, BUT if you use Kato Polyclay, NEVER use cornflour/cornstarch for this because it will seriously weaken the clay. It’s like with Kato in particular cornflour in volume has a super-leaching effect, and instead of being extremely strong like Kato normally is, the cornflour-immersed Kato will be very weak even if you put it into the oven within seconds of the cornflour coming into contact with the clay, and even if you extend the baking time by a large amount. Cornflour is probably OK with other brands, but bicarb soda is safe with the various brands I’ve done this with (Kato, Premo, Pardo Art Clay, Pardo Jewelry Clay, Fimo Classic, Fimo Soft) so I don’t bother with anything else. ~Sue-F >> Original comment was posted here: Simple Tips To Avoid Burning Your Polymer Clay
I had given up on polymer clay because everything I made scorched. The only things that didn’t scorch were so under baked they fell apart after a week or two. I will pull my supplies out again and give this a try! ~Rayney-N >> Original comment was posted here: Tenting Polymer Clay To Avoid Scorching
I am so glad I learned this tip from Cindy. Since I use strictly Premo clay the cornstarch is perfect for my sculptures but also I have used it a lot for my oversized beads simple because if I hang them on a bead rack they tend to elongate the holes while baking and who wants wonky holes! I purchased the square and loaf size aluminum pans and use one for the bottom and one for the tops. I also use a set of them for fiberfil to bake some items on when called for. Thanks Cindy for ALL your great tips you have been so generous to share with us. ~DixieAnn-S >> Original comment was posted here: Baking Polymer Clay on Corn Starch or Baking Soda
| A-SERIES COLOR PALETTE: David Russell Battery Palette (4 Premo Sculpey Recipes) ** B-SERIES COLOR PALETTE: Encrusted Concrete Palette (4 Premo Sculpey Recipes) VIDEOS: Polymer Clay Fairy Doors – Enchanting Miniature Decor For Your Home And Yard |
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