Storage Ideas?

[DraconRaven]

I'm about to go to college and I wont have access to cook my creations while I'm there. But I don't want to stop making stuff. Does anybody know any good storage options for unfired clay sculptures, that will also keep dust out?

Thanks~

[epicycledesigns]

I use a scrapbook paper container that I found at Michael's for my unopened clay -- but I bet it would work well for your creations, too --it's pretty flat, maybe 3" tall, and 15x15" otherwise, with a latch on the front. It's good because I can see in, but it also latches to keep a curious 1-year-old out. :D

[Former_Member]

Like Tabitha said, I scrapbook or a jewelry container with slots works for me. It keeps my unbaked clay nice and new:)

[exZuberant]

Try taking a look at this: http://glassattic.com/polymer/storage.htm. Glass Attic is a wonderful site FULL of information about polymer clay.

I've found that you have to experiment a bit. I had a roll of extremely old (20 years or so) plastic wrap that worked wonderfully, but when that ran out, I tried new plastic wrap and found that it leaches the clay. I also have a couple of scrapbook containers from Michael's that work well with unbaked clay, but my white plastic drawer dividers from Target or Bed Bath and Beyond can leach the clay. In general, I've found that translucent plastic containers work better than opaque plastic.

Try putting some unformed, unbaked clay in your container before you put an actual sculpture in it and wait a few days. If it's not leaching into the container, you're good to go.

Depending on your living situation, you might invest in a toaster oven to bake your creations. I use one here at my house because it heats up more quickly and it can live in my garage, just in case something burns. Mine is nice because it's also a convection oven. The only time I had a batch burn was when the (extremely touchy) oven temperature knob got bumped up over 300 degrees. That did teach me to be very careful to check the temperature setting AND the little oven thermometer before putting anything into the oven.

Good luck at college!!

[DraconRaven]

Thanks so much for all your wonderful Ideas!

I purchased a Translucent organizer from my local michaels and it has been working well.

I am currently using a toaster oven but I am not allowed to bring it with me because of fire regulations :C

Thanks again!

[epicycledesigns]

Rin -- do you have a kitchen in your dorm that you could set up your toaster oven in? We were't allowed to have them in our rooms, but we could keep stuff like that in the common kitchens.

[Former_Member]

How about a heat gun? You could set them before storing and then fully cure once you get back home. Another option would be to start using air dry clay while you're at college and then polymer at home.