How to Add Fragrance to a Polymer
Adding fragrance to your polymer clay can make the difference between sweet smelling accessories and an odorous craft project turned bad. Adding oils and spices to the clay work best, because both have the ability to smell long after the clay is baked and cooled down. In addition to the correct oils and spices, you will need precise timing; polymer clay can become unusable if you fail to bake the clay for the designated time.
Things You'll Need
- Bowl
- Scented oils
- Ground spices
- Oven-safe tray
- Aluminum foil
- Oven
- Spray bottle
Instructions
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1
Place 2 oz. of polymer clay into the bowl, and then use your hands to flatten and mash the clay. Continue the softening processing for five to 10 minutes.
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2
Add 3 tbsp. of scented oils into the bowl, and then fold it into the clay for five to 10 minutes. The clay will be moist, but not over-watered.
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3
Mold the clay into the desired shape, and then preheat your oven. The necessary temperature and time will be displayed on the back of the clay's wrapper. Wait 10 minutes or until your oven beeps (to signify that the preheating has completed). Having the correct temperature is crucial to the end result. The clay will not mold properly if the temperature is too low. If the temperature is too high, the fragrance will be ruined, because the clay will have a burnt, musky smell instead.
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4
Place aluminum foil onto a oven-safe tray, and then place the clay into the oven.
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Take the clay out of the oven when it is finished cooking, then let cool. The clay will still smell like the fragrance, though over time the fragrance will begin to wear off. Add the oils to a spray bottle, and then spray the polymer clay to re-fragrance the polymer clay.
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Tips & Warnings
The other fragrance that can work into scenting your polymer clay is spices, such as cinnamon, rosemary, thyme and nutmeg. Add the 3 to 4 tbsp. of spices, instead of scented oils, to the clay, and then fold the clay.
The ratio of fragrance to clay is 3 or 4 tbsp. to 2 oz.
