Bit of Info Help Please...

[BobblesByCarol]

How long can finished polymer clay pieces sit on baking tray before going into oven ? ?
Without any problems with stability...

I'm itching to start making my clay beads for my jewelry... But here in So. Calif we are still Hot, so I only want to fire up the oven when I have a full tray to bake...

Thanks for your help...

[Former_Member]

I have let mine sit for months so there is no problem, nothing will happen to them.

[BobblesByCarol]

Thank you IIysa...

[exZuberant]

Carol, if you become serious about making polymer clay beads, I recommend getting a convection/toaster oven and a good oven thermometer. You can move the oven wherever you want (mine is in my garage), and the timer can be set so that the oven turns itself off after a set time. I haven't confirmed this, but I imagine my little toaster oven uses less electricity than my kitchen oven, and probable produces less heat in the room. Also, I like keeping food and poly clay separate, and keeping the toaster oven out of my living space means we don't breathe any fumes.

[BobblesByCarol]

Thanks Dawn for your suggests.... I have been thinking about getting a toaster oven, does it need to be a convection ? ?

[StarfallsAtDusk]

Definitely get a toaster oven. I have left uncured clay out for over a month with no problem. I just set them on a tile, loosely covered with plastic wrap, in a cool dry place. Don't leave them in the sun. If you leave them on paper or cardboard it will leach the moisture out of them, and be careful leaving them on anything plastic. I have personally seen uncured clay eat through certain plastics!

[TheRusticReliquary]

If you are thinking of getting a toaster oven, I highly recommend the one that they sell in craft stores especially for polymer clay. I forget who makes it, but I have been thrilled with mine! Even temps, turns itself off after the set number of minutes. I love it!

[TheRusticReliquary]

Oh, and you can usually use a coupon for it too :D

[exZuberant]

I have a convection toaster oven that I got at Bed, Bath, & Beyond, and it also turns itself off after the set number of minutes. I like the convection feature because it helps avoid hot spots, but you don't have to have convection. I recommend getting a small oven thermometer no matter what kind of oven you use, as it's really easy to burn polymer clay, and the fumes from burnt clay are toxic.

[BobblesByCarol]

Thank you, Catharine, Laura, & Dawn for your advice... Very helpful...

I already use a thermometer, really helps in getting the oven set, and leave it in so I can be sure temp stays right...

I use a gas oven, cost is minimal, and always use the exhaust fan... I am giving thought to getting a toaster oven, but only if my clay jewelry actually starts sell... So far only sold an earring & necklace set, just after Xmas last year...

[Former_Member]

I think it's safe to leave them on a baking tray/sheet for as long as you'd like. The only thing I worry about when leaving unbaked items exposed for long is that little fine hairs/dust will get on the item and damage it.

You can always purchase a clay oven. I got mine from Amazon for around $50 and it saves a lot of money on your electric/gas bill and will not overheat your home. We had the issue of constantly using our regular oven and our home would get so hot all the time. The clay oven allows me to cure my items without overheating the home, and it saves me money!

[LindasArtSpot]

The first thing I teach my students is when using your household oven to keep your clay items covered and sealed when curing them in your food oven.

When the clay heats up it off gasses the polymer clay fumes as the oven cools down they attach to the inside of your oven. When you go to cook your food and the oven heats up again the polymers then turn back to gasses and attach themselves to the food you eat. Not a good thing.

I also live in So Cal and I keep a small convection oven on my back porch so the fumes & heat stay outside.
I tried the small toaster ovens and for me the temperatures fluctuated a lot.

[LaLindaArtStudio]

I sometimes leave my clay projects sitting on a tile for months. I cover the clay with saran wrap to keep the dust and hair off. I use a small convection toaster oven with an oven thermometer, and I always tent my clay with foil or cover with cornstarch if possible while baking to avoid burning.

[Former_Member]

I use my house oven since I can't afford another toaster oven (mine gave out and heats up CRAZY hot).

Linda, you suggested covering up clay in the oven. What should I cover it with? Would foil be ok?

[LaLindaArtStudio]

I tent with Aluminum foil, dull side towards the clay. You can also use a piece of cardboard or cardstock to shield the clay on a rack above the clay you are baking. I also sometimes bake beads or light color clays covered in a bed of cornstarch to keep them from burning.

Big Turkey Roaster pans or deep covered sauce pans work well for large items in your main oven.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Linda. :) I found a blog where that person uses 2 aluminum baking pans, one turned over and connected with binder clips. I used it a couple of times and so far I am really please. My mom just bought a new home oven so I feel better using a covered pan.

[LindasArtSpot]

Rachael,

Yes two pans inverted work well.
When I do a project that does not fit into me small oven I prefer to use oven roasting bags, with a twist tie. I do not cut the bags like the directions say
I simple put my project in and seal the bag. The oven is not hot enough to cause the bag to break. The bag is then reusable.

I feel more confident that no fumes escape.
When you remove it from the oven let it sit until the bag collapses so the fumes
have stopped.

Happy Claying!