Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Oven-Safe Work Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.
Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.
Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake clay on an oven-proof surface such metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per 1/4" (6 mm) thickness according to package directions. Oven safe glass or ceramic surfaces are also acceptable for baking; however please note that the baking times may take longer as the glass or ceramic surfaces take longer to heat up. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME.
Designer’s Note - For molds like the Silicone Jewelry Mold or Cabochon Mold, where pieces are made in open shapes, I find a Cold Cure method works really well. Preheat the oven to 275 °F. If using more than one color of liquid, make sure the liquids are comparable in thickness and thin with Sculpey® Liquid Clay Softener as needed. Always stir the liquids completely, especially when mixing softener or tints into them. Fill the mold as desired and gently tap the mold on a flat smooth surface to release air bubbles. Place the filled silicone mold on top of a wet cloth and bake for 20 minutes. Baking at this low temperature and on a wet cloth will bake the pieces slowly which keeps air bubbles from forming. Once the piece is set, it can be baked again at the higher temperature of 300 degrees if necessary without bubbles forming. Designer’s Note - Please note that for Clear Liquid Sculpey® (LS) to go completely clear it must be heated to a temperature of 325 degrees F. This can be achieved either in the oven that you usually bake your clay projects in or you can accomplish this very carefully with a heat gun. Extreme care should be exercised with either method so that you do not burn your project. Designer’s Note - I use miniature paper baking liners for mixing Liquid Sculpey® for projects that require only a small amount of each color. If I’m mixing up several different colors, I use a mini muffin baking pan to hold the paper cups steady while I’m mixing. When I’m all finished with a project, I fill my mold with any remaining tinted LS and bake the pieces to save for later projects. Then I bake the paper cups with the residue of the LS in them. When they are completely cool the cups can be discarded. The paper cups I use are from the baking department and designed for use as mini cupcake liners.