{"id":8347,"date":"2010-02-11T03:30:23","date_gmt":"2010-02-11T11:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=8347"},"modified":"2010-04-30T11:07:31","modified_gmt":"2010-04-30T18:07:31","slug":"inlay-technique-polymer-clay-jewelry-faux-bone-pendant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/inlay-technique-polymer-clay-jewelry-faux-bone-pendant\/8347\/","title":{"rendered":"Inlay Technique for Polymer Clay Jewelry, Faux Bone Pendant [Q&A]"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Polymer <\/span>“I never had any interest in this type of inlay design before, but now… I need to know how!” ~Linda-K<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Today’s photo shows a piece of polymer clay jewelry with a bit of an aboriginal flair to it. This large rectangular pendant was created using the faux bone technique<\/a> as a base, with various accents embedded into it using polymer clay inlaying techniques<\/a> that will be demonstrated in the next week’s Vol-021-3 tutorial video at the members library.<\/span><\/p>\n

What a beautiful technique, Cindy. I never had any interest in this type of inlay design before, but now that I see what you’ve done, I need to know how! <\/span>~Linda-K<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For the remainder of this article I’m going to start getting caught up on some support topics that have been piling up. My plan is to work the following Q&A format into upcoming articles on a regular basis, so that everyone gets their questions answered in a timely manner.<\/span><\/p>\n

For each of the Q&A topics posted today, and in future articles, please feel free to use the comments section to add your thoughts and ideas in addition to the information I provide. Every question has so many answers and angles to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s all work together to make this polymer clay community the best it can be in terms of a place to come to get friendly and supportive answers.<\/span><\/p>\n


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Q&A-1: Sculpting Using Mixed Brands of Polymer Clay:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hi Ms. Lietz!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My name is Jenn and I’m new to working with polymer clay. In high school I sculpted with clay that we had to heat in a kiln. I didn’t know what clay to start with when I was out of school so I bought sculpey, premo and fimo. And to test each one I made my first trial sculpture out of all three.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I was wondering; since my sculpture is mostly sculpey clay with a bit of the others mixed in, will it look different when baked? I haven’t had the heart to bake it because I’m too scared!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"PolymerIt’s about as tall as your wrist to your elbow and about as long. I’ve included a picture of my sculpture.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is all clay with no other elements inside. I think it has dust and cat hair on it too that might burn. Do you think it will shrink? I know you mostly work with jewelry and I know there are no\u00a0 guarantees so I hope I’m not wasting your time. I’m sorry if I am!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anyways, I appreciate all your tips on your site. It’s very very helpful! I was also wondering. have you ever used wire that people use for flower arrangements inside your clay? What wire works best inside clay? I like your tip about using the aluminum foil as filler instead of clay! Thanks so much for taking time to read my email and if you can’t help I totally understand!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks for your time,<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

~Jenn-V<\/strong><\/span> <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hi Jenny! Your questions are excellent and you are not wasting my time by asking them, so there is no need to apologize :-)\u00a0 Your piece is amazing btw!<\/span><\/p>\n

As far as mixing clays, you will likely be fine as long as you bake at the lowest recommended temperature listed on the packaging for the clays you purchased.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you used mostly Sculpey, especially if it is regular White Sculpey in the bigger box, the color will probably darken,\u00a0 even if the piece is tented properly with foil or parchment, and the correct temperature is used. If you don’t like the mottled ancient look it turns into, you can always paint it with acrylics after baking.<\/span><\/p>\n

If it is mainly Premo or Fimo, then there shouldn’t be any problems. Just make sure to use an oven thermometer and bake it for at least an hour maybe two, especially something that big, which will need the time in order to cure properly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t worry about the dust or cat hair burning. Paper won’t even burn at that temp. If there is a lot of cat hair and dust, you can try to remove it with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel before baking, Or use wet\/dry sandpaper after baking.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can definitely use wire inside your pieces. The floral wire will work or you can use armature wire that is designed to use with sculptures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Polymer clay does not shrink when baked.<\/span><\/p>\n

You have so much sculpting potential Jenn. Good luck with your project and let us know how it goes.<\/span><\/p>\n


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Q&A-2: Baking Fumes and Toaster Ovens:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hi, I’m a newbie here and was wondering… I used FIMO and when making it had no odor. Last night I used Premo which I like a lot more, but when I baked it had a sort of orangish smell. Is that normal or did I bake it wrong?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Also, I have my toaster oven on my kitchen table. Is it ok to bake there or should I bake way in the garage? It is the whole toxic fume thing I keep reading about that worries me.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Besides that I love polymer clay and am glad I joined your site. Thank you for any advice that you can give.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

~Jeri-L<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hi Jeri! Great questions! It is normal for different brands of polymer clay to have odor variations when baking. Some brands smell more than others. But as long as the smell isn’t too strong and the clay is not burning, you will be fine.<\/span><\/p>\n

As far as you baking on your table, that is fine too. I have my toaster oven in my studio and have had no problems with it there. The new information that is available now is that the clay is not actually ‘toxic’ when burned, but more of an ‘irritant’ to those that are sensitive to it. Most polymer clays sold in North America are labeled with a non-toxic symbol, deeming them safe for consumers to use.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have any concerns with the safety of any of the polymer clay products make sure to contact the companies directly, since I am just teacher of polymer clay techniques and not an expert in the chemical make-up of the product.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hope that helps.<\/span><\/p>\n


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<\/td>\n**************************************************************************************************<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n** Win Some Polymer Clay Beads:<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Handmade by Cindy Lietz.
\nTime to send in your photo entires: Polymer Clay Giveaway Contest<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

For anyone who wants to follow along from beginning, the following link will take you to a summary of all the articles in this fun and educational Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway<\/a> series.
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<\/td>\n**************************************************************************************************<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"Cindy\"Polymer<\/p>\n

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