Thread: Polymer Clay - give me a push!

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I would really like to start using Polymer Clay for making teeth, and other odds and ends to go on the props, but I'm finding myself a little...ummm... scared to jump into it.

I have read a few 'google searched' articles on the subject and see that I should not use my own oven that will be used for food, so I bought a small toaster oven just for the PC. I also bought an oven thermometer to calibrate the temp.

Now what I need is any pointers and tips in using it. I can read articles online until I'm blue in the face and/or pass out, but I would rather have someone tell me... "yeah, I screwed up 40 pieces until I got it right" etc.

My first project is going to be teeth for the sisters (set of 3 witches that I have made)

Looking for a little hand holding here.... and of course tips.

*I did a search in the forum and if I missed an obvious how-to, sorry for the duplication*

Practice on some air-drying crayola model magic, get your hands and tools used to playing around with the stuff.
Before you get strate, reach in with clean hands and feel the teeth in your head, get your fingers used to the dimensions. Make a version of that double in size, but make the tail either a wedge like a flat-end screwdriver or a rectangular block. Use a sharp paring knife and slice this tail end in either two or four roots. Use large tweezers VERY GENTLY as a pair of tiny fingers to shape the root tips.


Remember, there's nothing that you can mess up that can't be reshaped. You decide when you are done, then you go to the oven.

Also, remember, there's air-dry stuff like crayola's model magic or, for real strength, Magic-sculp, so if you find yourself struggling with a piece that is vital but can't get the polymer clay to "listen" to your hands that day, consider these things as a backup.

Finally, just accept the fact that curing polymer clay has that...smell. Don't suck it in, but if you catch a noseful, interpreting the smell as accomplishment will help you recover.

Yeah, you can. Yes, you, you can do this and it's gonna kick hiney.

Thanks Spats!! I have actually used Model Magic numerous times and is what the teeth are made of now. I just love the look that Krough gets from his polymer teeth.

I don't know why I'm finding this intimidating... heck I used to hold down 150 pound pissed off Rottweilers to get their vaccines and I'm struggling with putting clay in an oven.

Thanks much for the encouragement!!

I use polymer clay all the time! It’s really easy to work with. I have a couple of tips. Ball up some tinfoil, shape it, cover with clay and detail. It Saves clay and cooks better. Make sure you go by the time on the box or it will burn. If it does burn you can always paint over it. To cook the clay I usually put it on top of a piece of tinfoil on a cookie sheet. Once you take it out of the oven take it off the cookie sheet asap so it doesn’t burn the bottom. I learned that the hard way. Also I use my oven all the time and ive never had a problem

Thanks Commander!! I'm feeling the courage build!

Funny how we get intimidated by the smallest of things. It's not like I'm throwing a block of C4 into the oven. Heh!

I like the idea of saving clay = saving money!