Alicia~

If you are asking a question that requires lots of input from members, you should ask for advice on the most current page or article, so you get a “wider audience” for your comment. To do that, go to where it says “Home” at the top of the page. Then click on the first article, which is the most current one, and ask your question or make comment. Otherwise, use the search box at the top of the page to find an article to post your comment under (a post with the same topic you’re writing about.)

If your clay is still flexible, it could be that it is thin? Very thin sheets of clay will remain flexible, even though they are completely cured. Is this the case? How thick is the clay you’re baking?

As far as Fimo curing temperatures, they’re lower than other clays—I looked at a few bars to check. Fimo Classic in Black & some other colors cures at 230F/110C, so do Fimo Effects translucent (#014) and Fimo Soft colors. I did come across some of my older bars of Fimo Clay that have the higher recommended temps. I’m not sure if they changed because of the new formulas or because it gets better results. Either way, if you cured your clay for at 130 C for an hour, it should be fully cured (unless it’s really thick and needs to cure longer.)

Let me know how thick your project is, and how you baked it (on a tile, bead rack, etc.) Also, did you use an oven thermometer? If you didn’t, your oven is probably at the wrong temperature. Get an oven thermometer, then test your oven. I’ll watch this thread for your reply. Also, think about getting the beginner’s course. It truly is helpful!

I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you meant in your last sentence—about getting “more info about baking through mail.” If you join and become a member, you can will get an email confirming any tutorials you purchase, and how to access them. If you sign up for the newsletter, it will automatically arrive every Friday via email. Your first one will include 3 free videos. Hope this helps!

Didn’t see this mentioned, though pretty sure Cindy talks about it in a video somewhere….I leave the tiles alone until everything cools so that thin objects, like bookmarks or postcards, come out super flat.

Hate it when it curls, but, you can always rebake and flatten cool again.

You’ll want to bake most items for about an hour, using an oven thermometer (a separate one from the dollar store or in the kitchen supplies of any store.) The oven thermometer needs to be monitored so your oven doesn’t get too hot and burn your clay.

There are lots of great articles on baking clay here at the blog, use the search box at the top left and use words like “how to bake clay” or “how long do I bake” “oven temperature” etc. You’ll get a list of articles with all kinds of info. Be sure to read the comments under the articles as well, since there are often more tips, tricks, and answers from Cindy there than in the original post.

Actually, if you look back at the comments above this, there are several good questions with answers about baking, including temperature & length of time. Also, on the questions Cindy has answered, there are links under her name that go to great baking articles. Read up on these posts, and the comments under them, and you’ll learn quite a bit.

You can also check out Cindy’s Beginner’s Course, which has 39 excellent videos that teach you everything you need to get started making polymer clay beads. The videos are short & to the point, and each one covers one topic. They’re easy to follow and the very best quality. Cindy also has a free newsletter that comes with 3 free videos and color recipes. The link for both of these is at the top of the page.

Best of luck to you! Hope to see you around.
~Kat, Riverside, CA (Where are you from?)