April 16, 2008
When Baking Beads, It's OK to Sometimes Break the Rules
How Long Do You Bake Your Beads? How's that Working For You?
Rules are sometimes meant to be broken. And when it comes to baking polymer clay beads, this is no exception!
I have been reading about polymer clay artists that bake their polymer clay beads for twice as long as it says on the package. They say this makes a much stronger bead.
Being kind of impatient, I had never really given this idea a try. I just baked the beads for as long as the manufacturer suggested, and then took them out when they were done. But I've been having a few problems with some of my beads breaking and cracking. So I thought I would give the extended bake time a try. And guess what? It works!!
Instead of baking my polymer clay beads for the recommended 30 minutes, I baked them for 1 hour. Please note that it is very important to still bake your beads at the right temperature for the clay, or it will burn. So don't break that rule!
My polymer clay beads came out rock hard. You could tell they were harder even on the round beads. And because they were harder, they sanded easier and buffed to a much smoother finish!
Holy cow!!! Why did I wait so long to try this? Sometimes it doesn't pay to be impatient.
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Filed under 10: Finishing, 13: Musings-News, 14: Other Experts by Cindy Lietz
Comments on When Baking Beads, It's OK to Sometimes Break the Rules »
If anyone reading here has given this 'extended' bead baking tip a try, let me know how it worked out for you.
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Roll Polymer Clay Into a Flat Sheet Using Bamboo Skewers
Phew! Still poking around in your blog a bit but yes, I am one of the people who bakes for extended periods of time because it does make a better finished piece.
Given that most (i would say everyone I've ever used) ovens have temperatures that vary even during the 30 minutes of baking time, you are not guaranteed to get to the right temp for long enough in just the amount of time on the package.
So I regularly bake for double the time. Some of my larger pendants or small sculptures have spend more than two hours in the oven by the time they are finished.
Elaine's last blog post..More ?Green? Hints for the Polymer Clayers
Thanks for your comment Elaine. I had heard rumours of other artists like you doing this but hadn't tried it until now. What a fool I was… It is my new favorite technique!
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Polymer Clay Supplies From Unlikely Places
Great tip!! Thanks for this one! It is very hard to know if it is "done"….so I will bake longer and be safe!!
That's a good idea Kam! You'll find your beads are not only stronger, but they sand up a lot easier too!
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Polymer Clay Leaf Beads and Handmade Jewelry Making
Okay, this may sound like a nit-picky question, but with the economy, current gas prices, and being an unemployed recent graduate, I have to ask. Is it more cost-efficient to bake clay in the oven or in a little toaster oven. I'm guessing it is more efficient to bake it in the toaster (craft) oven, but I worry about how safe it is to let it run for an hour at a time. Any thoughts? Since my first toaster oven went up in flames the first time I tried to bake clay in it, I am very concerned about safety and efficiency.
Kimberlee, I just answered your similar question on the "how-to-make-a-bead-baking-rack" post. Having your toaster oven burn up would be a terrible thing! So I am recommending you take extreme caution when putting anything into your oven.
Paper or polymer clay does not burn at the proper temperature of 265F degrees. Therefore either your oven was hotter than that, something was wrong with the toaster oven itself or the paper you used touched the element or the sides of the oven.
Always use a oven thermometer to make sure the temp is correct and that it isn't 'spiking'. You have to check when closing your oven because in my toaster oven the element hangs down from the top and if your paper is sticking up it could hit it.
As far as being more efficient, the toaster oven it much more efficient because it is a much smaller place to heat up.
Have you tried the convection/toaster ovens? I found one at our local 'Big Lots' for $20 and am wondering whether I should run out and scoff it up?
I am always at a loss to figure out what temp I should use when I blend clay types (ie. Fimo with Sculpy or Premo etc.) Would going with the lowest common temp but extended time work for this as well do you think?
Eileen
@Pepper: I have heard that the convections ovens are the best because they keep moving the hot air around. That's a great deal… scoop it up!!
@Eileen: I find that if I bake my mixed Fimo, Premo and/or Sculpey III at 265 degrees they do really well. I haven't worked with Kato Clay yet though so I don't know if it will apply there.
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Slicing Fimo Nail Art Canes | Sculpey Polymer Clay Cake Toppers
I do something I have never seen mentioned anywhere - I first boil my beads for 15 minutes. Then I remove them and give them a toweling off to remove any deposits, then bake them at the recommended temp for the recommended time. Seems to make them really hard, easier to buff to a shine, and there is no risk of a shiny or flat spot.
Thank you for mentioning your technique Kelly! I have heard of people boiling their clay in Europe. Haven't tried it yet myself though. I would like to test the technique and make some videos on it. I've heard it keeps white clay really bright! Thank you so much for your comment!