Polymer Clay Techniques | Baking Clay on Alternative Surfaces
There's Definitely More Than One Way To Bake a Polymer Clay Bead:
When it comes to baking your polymer clay beads and pendants, there are many different "heat-safe" surfaces you can bake on. Getting creative with these baking surfaces can add texture and/or form to your pieces.
For example, in the photo above you can see a cupped cane slice bead placed on an old incandescent light bulb. The bulb is stabilized on a bed of cornstarch in a container that can be placed into your your polymer clay oven or toaster oven for baking.
To see an example of a jewelry pendant made using this unique, light bulb baking technique, click here: Silverware Jewelry Flower Pendant
Other Baking Surfaces To Try Out:
- smooth ceramic tile
- textured ceramic tile
- different light bulb shapes
- glass and metal marbles
- silicone and metal chocolate forms and molds
- textured card stock
- bed of cornstarch
- bed of sand
- ceramic cookie molds
- metal belt buckles
- textured or smooth glass
- upturned bowls, plates, cookware
- heavy drinking glass
- cardboard tubes
- wooden dowels
- terra cotta pots turned on their side
- rocks
- bark
- coarse and fine sandpapers
- drywall sandpaper
- drywall mesh tape
- window screen
- wire made into shapes and swirls
- tin cans or any shaped metal
- molded plaster
- rattan placemats
- etc. etc.
Some of the above surfaces may need a release agent such as cornstarch or baby powder in order to prevent the clay from sticking. You should always test on a small scale to be sure.
Also be certain that your surfaces are in fact heat safe BEFORE you bake. Safety is priority one!
Some plastics will be fine at polymer clay baking temperatures, but some will not. Place your baking surface in the oven on a tile by itself and bake for 20 minutes or so, watching carefully to see if its going to work for you. You don't want a melted gooey mess in your oven or bad toxic fumes!
Have you ever baked polymer clay on any of the items listed above? Do you have any suggestions to add to the list? Would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below!
Filed Under: 02: Tools, 05: Techniques, 06: Bead Shapes by Comment. 
Leave a Comment
Comments on Polymer Clay Techniques | Baking Clay on Alternative Surfaces
11:13 am
You're so smart and creative Cindy. Have a very Happy New Year. I just love your blog and your giving spirit.
5:52 pm
Thank you DaisySoapGirl! Happy New Year to you too! It is always a pleasure to have your wonderful, happy self around here!
7:04 pm
Please please be careful when selecting items to bake upon. Several materials, wen heated, leach toxic fumes strong enough to kill small animals (I am a biologist – I am not making this up, nor is it one of the internet rumors). I wold suggest running a quinck search on the safety of heating whatever item it is you want to use before I put it in the oven.
Thanks for you helpful tips and ideas!
Lori
7:04 pm
Thank you Lori for the very helpful safety tip!! I really appreciate it. I would hate for anyone or their small animals to be hurt!
Do you know of any particular websites that would have this type of safety info? I would love to post it if you did.
Thanks again!
3:13 pm
Cindy,
Here is a question: Can you use a toaster oven to bake poly clay if it is heated with near infra red rays? I bought one at a yard sale cheap but don't know if there is a big difference between that type of oven and a regular electric one. Thanks!
Joan
11:09 am
That's a good question Joan. I haven't tried it myself but I can't imagine it not working as long as the temperature is right. You'll just have to try it to find out. Let us know how it works. You got me curious!
9:06 am
Hi Cindy, I went to the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, had a blast. Saw a technique that was awesome, wonder if you know how she did it. She had a flat sheet(flowers, leaves..), sliced into a thin oval pendant,earrings, baked on a curved base to make it slightly domed, but the finish was matte, is was incredible, said she did it with cornstarch after baking, any ideas how?? Thanks! Love you're site! Pam
4:18 pm
I'm pretty sure Pam that she meant to say she used cornstarch BEFORE baking instead of AFTER. If you rub the clay with cornstarch before baking you can get it nice and smooth, with a matte finish.
You lucky girl to have been at the Bead and Button show. I would love to attend one of those!