Polymer clay issues

[Swaggertoes]

Hey folks. I've been known to make pins and magnets out of polymer clay, but I am having issues with durability. If they get dropped, or even bumped too hard, they break....

here are some of my designs...http://www.gallery23.net/UndertheBridge.html

anyway, In order to proceed making them, I need to figure out how to keep them from bieng damaged so easily...any suggestions?

[Penguintrax]

What brand of clay are you using?

Also, the extended parts (horns, ears, etc.) may require them to be made over a wire armature to add additional strength.

[valeriebeads]

Underbaking can do that as well.

[RavenCenterArts]

I don't have any plymer clay answers for you but wanted to say you have an adorable site.

[Swaggertoes]

Wire...that I understand, but underbaking? What is that?

Oh, and thanks about the site...hopefully both of them will get better soon, when I have time...lol

[Swaggertoes]

Oh yeah, and I'm using Sculpey III and Premo...:)

[valeriebeads]

Using Sculpey 3 is probably one of the reasons you're having breakage problems. It's one of the least durable polymer clay's out there. If you're mixing it with Premo it still isn't as durable as using just Premo (or any of the other more durable brands).

Underbaking is either when you don't bake long enough or your oven temp is off and you're baking it for the regular time but at a lower temperature. If you haven't already you may want to calibrate your oven. A simple oven thermometer works to calibrate. Test in several places in your oven to make sure you don't have hotspots (or cool spots).

[Penguintrax]

ditto what my clay sister Valerie said. Use Premo or Katoclay if you need a lot of strength. Calibrate your oven and be sure to bake thoroughly. Nice thing about Katoclay is that you can actually bake at a much higher temp and not burn the clay and get a super-strong product as a result.

http://www.vanaken.com/kato_polyclay.html

[Swaggertoes]

Awesome sausages...I am so glad I found this place...now maybe I can get somewhere.

I have a ton of Sculpey 3 though. Maybe I should sell it off on ebay and use the profits to buy the Kato or premo. Can I use the liquid sculpey and the clay softener on the Kato clay as well.

I know absolutely nothing about calibrating ovens. The only think I even cook in them is clay....lol :eek:

[Penguintrax]

http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/baking.htm (calibration instructions)

Define 'a ton' of SIII? 5 pounds or 20?

You won't need to use clay softener with Kato or Premo. You shouldn't really need to use it Sculpey - it's so soft already. The translucent liquid can be used with both brands, but if you switch over to Kato and then run out of liquid clay, buy the liquid Katoclay - that way you can bake it all at higher temps and not worry.

[Dallen]

Use Magic-Sculpt and your pieces won't break. Magic sculpt can have color added to it before use, or you can paint it, it only comes in a few basic colors.

Also the person who mentioned the wire is right, the horns need a wire core that is extended down into or around the head base. Or redesign so there are not such fragile protrusions. www.magicsculpt.com