If you're new to polymer clay,
below are some great resources on getting started with polymer
clay.
Also check out my polymer clay tutorial to learn how to make
some cool polymer clay novelty beads.
All polymer clay must be conditioned to some degree
before you work with it.
To prepare the stiffer
clays for conditioning, pre-warm them by placing
the unopened packages of clay on a heating pad
set to low or in a sealed plastic bag in a bowel
of warm water. To condition clay by hand, roll
the clay in a ball, flatten it, and roll it into
a snake. Fold the snake in half, twist it, and
roll it into a ball again. Repeat until the clay
is soft and pliable.
Polymer clay can also be conditioned with a pasta machine dedicated to nonfood
use. Adjust the machine to its thickest setting, flatten one end of the clay,
and run it through the machine. Fold the sheet of clay in half, and run it through
the machine again, fold-side first. Use a needle tool to puncture any air pockets
that form, fold the clay, and run it through the machine again. Continue to fold
and run the clay through the machine until the clay is soft and pliable.
Some polymer clays, like Fimo Classic, this means a lot of conditioning and for
softer polymer clays, less conditioning.
Polymer clay can be baked in a regular kitchen oven or convection oven. If you
plan on doing massive amounts of polymer clay baking, I suggest purchasing a
counter top convection style toaster oven. Depending on the brand of polymer
clay, it is suggested to follow the direction on the package for baking. The
minimum time required for curing is generally 15-20 minutes per quarter- inch
of thickness at the thickest spot.
Some light-colored clays will darken more quickly than others, as will
the translucent or any clays with translucent in their makeup. Try baking
these light colored clays at a lower oven temperature for a shorter time.
When baking your polymer clay creations, its best to put it on a ceramic
tile which can be purchased at any home improvements store. There are several
sizes that you can purchase. I have on hand the small 4” x 4”
up to large 12” x 12” tiles. Don’t get tiles with textured
surfaces, unless you want your polymer clay baked with the impression of
that texture. Purchase ceramic tiles with a smooth surface.
The one problem with the smooth shining surface of ceramic tiles, is that
the clay will develop a shiny spot where it has touch the surface of the
ceramic tile. There are two way around this. You can put parchment paper
between the clay and ceramic tile or use terra cotta tiles. Something to
remember: ceramic tiles & metal baking pans may heat up a bit more
TINTS are light/high values of colos - add white to color. TONES are
medium values color- add gray to color. SHADES are dark values color - add
black to color. VALUE refers to the lightness or
darkness of a color. INTENSITY refers to the purity,
or saturation of a color. Is it pure or is it dull?
amounts of polymer clay baking, I suggest purchasing a
counter top convection style toaster oven. Depending on the brand of polymer
clay, it is suggested to follow the direction on the package for baking. The
minimum time required for curing is generally 15-20 minutes per quarter- inch
of thickness at the thickest spot.
