Baking Polymer Clay

When baking polymer clay there are lots of tips. The best way to explain them would be to break them down into categories.

Ovens: Any oven can be used to bake polymer clay except a microwave (everything that I've read say don't use a microwave so don't). I have used my home oven (gas) toaster oven and now my dedicated convection oven. If you are going to be doing a lot of polymer clay work I would recommend a dedicated oven. Polymer clay has a tendencey to leave a residue on ovens so when baking in a oven where you prepare food take some cautions.You can tent the item to be baked in aluminum foil or in cheap aluminum pans. (Using one aluminum pan as a lid over the other held together with wooden clothes pins.) Wipe the oven out after your done baking clay.

Temperature and Timing: Some ovens are off a little in temperature. I have found this to be a big problem when it comes to toaster ovens. So use a thermometer. ( The kind you can leave in the oven. ) It will help make sure you ove keeps a steady heat and an accurate one.

I use a timer. The worst thing is forgetting you have something in the oven. When my timer goes off, I just turn the oven off and let the project cool off inside. Some artist don't. It's a personal choice and may also depend on the project.

How long to bake and at what tempature is also a personal choice among artist. Most do not stray to far from the manufacturer instructions. It is recommened to Follow the manufactures instructions.

The best reason that I found for using these tips on baking is : Although polymer clay is non toxic. When polymer clay gets burnt it changes the chemical make up of the clay. The fumes from the burnt clay can be toxic. So be vigilant about your clay projects when baking.

What to bake on? A small question with a lot of answers. Anything that will hold up to the recommend tempature can be used to bake on. (Do not use styrofoam) Glass pans, ceramic tile, baking sheets. These may leave shinny spot on your projects. To avoid that cotton batting, card stock. Cotton batting has a tendency to stick to the clay so I cover the batting with 100% cotton material then place it on a ceramic tile. This great for item that can't stand up in the oven. It will cradle and support the project while baking. Bead artist will take card stock and according fold it. Putting the beads on skewers placing the bead in each valley then on a tile or baking sheet. I've also used ceramic mugs, little dishes and mini bake ware to help support an item that may need it.

This seems like alot of advice on baking. Just remember to keep it simple and build on it from there. Good luck and happy claying