Quick Tip: Using Cornstarch to Cut Down on Air Bubbles
Don't you just hate air bubbles? Your polymer clay piece may look perfect when you put it in the oven, but then those air bubbles appear during baking and ruin the look. There are various ways to prevent bubbles, such as conditioning the clay properly (don't trap air inside clay folds as you run it through your pasta machine), or looking for and popping air bubbles trapped when you're covering something with clay.
But my tip today is specifically for the air bubbles that are created when you're baking a flat sheet of clay — the sort of sheet you might use for stamping or scrapbooking punches or for Artist Trading Cards. I've found that, especially if I work on the same surface I'm baking on, the clay may stick to the baking surface in places. It's easy to trap air in the places where it's not stuck, in which case the sheet may end up as a bubbly and not-so-flat sheet after baking.
Here's how to prevent those air bubbles. Put a light dusting of cornstarch all over your baking tile. The cornstarch will prevent the polymer clay from sticking to the tile, which helps prevent the bubbles.
If you're working and baking on the same tile, try lifting the polymer clay sheet up before baking to make sure it's not stuck. Dust with cornstarch before you replace the polymer clay sheet.
Once you've baked the clay, you'll want to wash and sand off any extra cornstarch, at least if the back of your clay sheet will be visible in your project. That may mean an extra step if you're not normally a sander. Still, I find this is much easier than trying to sand down the air bubbles that would otherwise appear on the project's surface!
I've been dusting my baking tiles with cornstarch for a while now and have noticed a definite improvement. Give it a try & let me know if it works for you!
Comments
Hey Angela!
I was looking at your pics and saw that you use a Makin's clay extruder. Have you heard about the Bullen's Wullens adapter for a drill? It saves SO much time and effort! I don't have the contact info available right now, but Cynthia Tinapple gave me the info. It is about $25, kinda pricey, but a LIFE SAVER!!!!
Happy claying!
Donna
Posted by: Donna Diseker | June 21, 2008 11:16 PM
Thanks, Donna. I remember reading about that on Polymer Clay Daily and thinking it sounded interesting. There's an article and video for anybody who wants more info.
Posted by: Angela Mabray | June 21, 2008 11:27 PM
Thanks for the tip on the cornstarch. I'll try it.
Cynthia
Posted by: Cynthia Blanton | June 22, 2008 12:37 AM
Angela, I am pleased to present you with the “Arte Y Pico” award for your blog’s creativity, design, posts, and contributions to the blogging community. Please visit my blog, http://aworldofcreativity.blogspot.com to pick up your award.
Ronalyn
Posted by: Ronalyn | June 24, 2008 11:38 PM
Thanks for the honor, Ronalyn. I really enjoyed checking out all the others you selected, too!
Posted by: Angela Mabray | June 26, 2008 3:08 PM