How to Bake Awkward Shaped Clay

Bake clay pieces on a support to prevent flattened or shiny areas.

Oven bake or polymer clays are designed to be sculpted or modeled into any shape, then cooked in the home oven to cure and permanently harden. Polymer clay can be formed into just about any shape you can dream up, but baking can present a challenge. Long protrusions, thin elements, feet, spherical shapes and other extruding pieces make it difficult to place a piece on a baking tray without damaging it. For best results, bake clay at the temperature recommended by the manufacturer, and use an oven-proof material to cushion it during baking.

Things You'll Need

• Awkward shaped clay piece
• Baking sheet
• Polyester fiberfill (enough to nest the clay piece in without touching baking sheet)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to the temperature recommended by the clay manufacturer.

2. Place the baking sheet on a flat surface.

3. Tear off a piece of fiberfill that is at least as large as the project and place it on the center of the baking sheet.

4. Place the project on top of the fiberfill.

5. Tear off small, egg-sized pieces of fiberfill and slip underneath any protruding parts of the clay project. All pieces should be completely supported in a cloud of fiberfill.

6. Place the baking sheet in the oven for the time specified by the clay manufacturer. Remove promptly and allow to cool before removing the baked piece from the fiberfill.

Tips & Warnings

• Fiberfill is polyester stuffing for toys and pillows and is found in any craft store.

• Oversized, flat projects can be baked on parchment paper instead of fiberfill to prevent shiny areas from forming.

• The same fiberfill can be reused again to bake additional projects.

• Don't use cotton stuffing for baking clay, the stuffing will stick to the clay.

References

• Creative Home arts Club Magazine: Polymer Clay Tips