August 30, 2008
Sculpey Polymer Clay Tutorials - Baking Sculpey Clay Without Burning
Vid #76: How to avoid burnt clay projects by using ceramic tiles to bake polymer clay instead of cookie sheets:
Today's article is a perfect example of how you can learn from my mistakes. The burned clay shown in the photo happened because I didn't even follow my own advice!
There was a lot going on that day and I didn't want to leave the kitchen to bake a couple of polymer clay strips in my studio upstairs. So I put them in my home oven using a couple of cookie sheets instead of my usual ceramic tile sandwich method as described in this article: Baking Polymer Clay Pendants
I figured I'd be fine if I used parchment paper against the metal of the cookie sheets and then sandwiched the clay like I do with my ceramic tiles… Wrong!!
Even though I carefully monitored the temperature with an oven thermometer, the beautiful lavender colored strips fried to a crisp. They ended up looking like dark strips of bubbled chocolate!
Didn't smell like chocolate though. Man it stunk! In fact it was the tell tale smell of burning polymer clay that first tipped me off since the baking time was no where near being done!
I guess what happened is that the metal in the pans actually conducted and concentrated the heat at the surface of the clay. Unlike the ceramic tiles which even out the heat and protect the clay from scorching.
Burning polymer clay is a bad thing that you definitely do not want to do. The fumes can be harmful and should be avoided. Read this article on polymer clay safety for more on that.
If you do ever make the mistake of burning your clay get it out of the oven and air out the room as quickly as possible.
Don't throw the burned clay out though. There still may be something you can make with it. A while back I wrote about Fimo Clay Artist Maureen Thomas who accidentally scorched some polymer clay leaf shapes she was making into beads. Serendipitously, they ended up as a beautiful polymer clay necklace that is now part of her 'Burnt Leaves Jewelry Collection'.
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the "Example of Burnt Clay" preview video shown above, is available for purchase at the Members Library. It is listed in the Volume-005 Order Form as:
Vid-005-5 Learning From A Burnt Clay Mistake
This video tutorial is more about what not to do than what to do. Burning your clay can be avoided if you always follow proper procedures. You will be happier if you do.
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Filed under 02: Tools, 10: Finishing, 14: Other Experts by Cindy Lietz
Comments on Sculpey Polymer Clay Tutorials - Baking Sculpey Clay Without Burning »
Have you ever burned some Fimo or Sculpey Polymer Clay before? Care to share your story?
I've not baked anything yet but I once worked in a plastics factory & the smell made me sick so I din't stay there for long.
Andrea, do you mean you haven't burned anything yet? You have baked your stuff, haven't you?
Nope,not baked anything yet,as I'm just experementing mixing colours.
Don't be too afraid to jump right in… You will learn the fastest by making mistakes. Trust me I've made tons of mistakes!
Hi again,
I haven't done anything yet and I already have my first question. I've been said at the shop where I bought my material that polymer clay can be toxic if you "over-cook" it and that even if I do everything correctly, it is advisable to thoroughly clean the oven after using it (they told me that people that do stuff very frequently buy a little oven just for that). As I'm a beginner I'm going to use the oven I use to cook and I'm a bit worried. I've also been said that there is another place where you can take your pieces on a tray and you get them "baked" for a quite reasonable price ($1'5-2'5, depending on the number of pieces). It's 4 minutes walking from my house so it wouldn't be a problem to go. My question is if I can design pieces throughout a week, for example, leave them in a tray and at the end of the week take them all together to the shop or if the clay will get damaged and I should "bake" them as I finish them. Thanks a lot.
Hugs.
Hi Mis Labores,
I moved your comment over to this article page where it is more on topic than where it was originally posted. Hope you don't mind.
This is a large site so it may take you some time to figure everything out. The article on this page, along with the links that point to other articles about "clay baking instructions" and "polymer clay ovens," will be helpful for you.
The other thing that you will find useful is the search box at the top of the page. Try searching for keywords like "baking" or "oven" and you will see a long list of articles that you can review.
I have made these cute little sheep but parts of them have stayed white and other parts have turned this transparent white. I have no idea how to fix this problem. Do I cook them at a higher heat or longer to get them uniform. I am very frustrated. This is my second batch and I do not know how to fix the problem.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
I think some translucent clay has gotten accidentally mixed up with your white clay. Translucent clay looks white when it is unbaked but 'clears' slightly when it bakes.
Try a new batch of white polymer clay to be certain this is the problem. Also make sure to thoroughly mix your clay before using to ensure the pigments are properly distributed and the clay is well conditioned.
To 'fix' your otherwise cute sheep, just paint over them with white acrylic paint or antique them for whole new look.
Cindy
Thanks so much for the reply. I am now a little more educated on this subject.
Kristi
You're welcome Kristi! Let me know how it goes.
Hi Cindy,
I took a favorite letter opener and wrapped the plastic handle on it with a "quilt" of cane slices…my dove with a rose in it's mouth if you recall the picture of that cane I sent to you. Anyway, I baked it for about an hour thinking I would make sure the clay would be nice and hard when completed. Well, I did not think about the plastic that I was covering. Sadly, the whole letter opener on one end was just a melted mess. I still use the letter opener…it is a reminder to me to really think about a new project and all that is involved in it (like plastic) before putting it in the oven LOL! As time goes on, and as I use the letter opener more and more, the pattern of the dove is coming clearer through the dark mangled mess…I guess the design somehow survived some of the scorching that it took after all :)
Some day if you put up a page for us to send in our photos to share with each other, I will send a picture of the letter opener in to help people see what NOT to do :)
Hugs to you, Cindy E.
Oh gosh Cindy E. that's too bad!! If I had a penny for all the mistakes I have made like that, I would be rich! Things to learn from though… Thank you for sharing your story.
I do recall your dove cane. It is very pretty. Maybe you can get a metal letter opener and put some of the cane on that instead. Do keep those photos for a member's gallery page. Hopefully we will be able to set one up when we have the time!
Hi Cindy!
Thanks for the video on burnt clay! I had experienced that, that is, before I viewed your new video. Where were you!!! Ha! Ha! I had made some really neat colored cabochons, in special shapes, and placed them on a metal tray, within my toaster oven — no thermometer/no parchment. Had timed this with my microwave, but never did check on it during baking. Must say, the obvious way (for me) to know that this clay was burning was the pungent odor. It affected me terribly with my Asthma and COPD. Anyway, the coloration changed from a gorgeous Fall colored pallette, toooo rusttt. After it cooled, (in exasperation) I tossed it. Anyway, after it was tossed I was angry at myself, because my right-brain had kicked in — Raku tap the rust with metallic, acryllic paints of Fall colors. Too bad, so sad, goneeee!!!! Just think Cindy, I could have had some gorgeous Raku beads, from those burnt beads. Ah well! Decided after that time to — 1. To precisely follow directions, until I was accustomed to working with new techniques. 2. To keep an eye on my clay, so that it had less chance of burning; and 3. To keep smiling, because we always learn from our mistakes, because they often come gift-wrapped. Ahem! My words of wisdom: None of us have the capacity to change what has happened, however, we can learn and build on it. So, I go with all three (3), and say, "Smile, and have Fun!".
Regards,
Diana
Sorry to hear you threw your pieces out. You can almost always make something cool out of even the wrecked stuff! Live and learn, live and learn! Thanks for sharing your story Diana! :-)
how do i cook clay? i have this sculpey stuff and theres no instructions on how to do it what temperature? how long?
Nick what you should do is click on the link beside my name called Baking Polymer Clay Beads to find several links on baking polymer clay beads.
In general, I bake Sculpey at 265 degrees for an hour for the best results. Do read the articles for on the best way to bake your clay, though.