Need a bit of help, Please, about breaking clay....

[BobblesByCarol]

I baked a few small pendants yesterday in corn starch as I have done before..

My question is what can make polymer clay brittle? ? Today as I am putting the large jump ring in the hole at top, I've had 2 so far break. I'm being careful not to force anything.. I've never had this happen before.. The top isn't thin roughly 3-5mm thick and hole is plenty large enough...

Did I under or over bake ? ?

Any ideas out there ? ? I sure don't want to sell a pendant that the 1st time a customer puts a tiny bit of stress on the ring the piece is going to break....

Thank You,
Carol

[Former_Member]

What brand of clay are you using?

[Former_Member]

I would suggest putting in an eye pin before baking, then the jump ring can go onto that with no problem...

[HiGirls]

How close to the edge is the hole? If it's close, you'll have problems. I like the glue on bails for pendants.

[BobblesByCarol]

Rhoda, I use Sculpy & Pemo Sculpy...

In the past I have used an eye pin at top, I guess I'm afraid it's going to work loose and come out..
Tiffany, do you do anything special when sticking in the eye pin ?

Lisa, I'm careful not to be close to edge..

This is the 1st time I've had this happen.... That's why I was asking can baking time ether to little or to much cause the clay to get brittle ?

I'm added a pic to show how I've been doing my pendants...

Thanks for your help ! ! !

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151426413/polymer-clay-jewelry-pendant?ref=shop_home_active

[Former_Member]

Too little baking can definitely cause problems.... I won't use regular Sculpey at all because it is much easier to break than fimo, premo, or Kato. Have you checked your oven with a thermometer to make sure it's accurate? Toaster oven or full size?

[MysticDreamerArt]

Baking longer than it says on the package has helped make the finished product stronger on my pieces (though I don't do much jewelry). For putting in eye-pins before baking you make a hook on the end that will be embedded in the clay and pres the clay around it. It's very secure that way.

[Former_Member]

I've never had a problem with cornstarch. If I use an eyepin, I like to dab a small bit of polymer bonder/glue on the end that is going inside the pendant. I've never had an issue with my eyepins falling out. I agree, the brand of clay matters, making sure you don't over or under cook it too.

[Former_Member]

When I first started using polymer clay, my pieces were very brittle, and I found out that I wasn't conditioning the clay enough.

[BobblesByCarol]

Thank You All,

For your comments and ideas... A couple of your points has given me the answers I was looking for, I know what I need to do to correct my problem...

Much appreciation,
Carol

[NatashasDesignz]

I have found Fimo my most favorite Polymer Clay to use, I have tried Sculpey but didn't like it and Premo could sometimes be very sticky