How thick should you roll polymer clay for earrings?

For most clay earrings, roll the clay to approximately 1/8″ thick. Depending on the design, you may want them a little thicker. You want them thick enough to hold their shape after being cured in the oven. I use an acrylic rolling pin to roll the clay, but you can also use a pasta maker.

How thin should I roll polymer clay for earrings?

Q: How thick should polymer clay be for earrings? A good rule of thumb is about two millimeters thick.

How do you make perfect polymer clay earrings?

What should I roll my polymer clay on?

It's best to work on a smooth surface, like on your kitchen counter or a marble slab. Laminate countertops make a great option for working with polymer clay.

What surface do you roll clay on?

Every potter needs a surface to wedge clay on, and there are many different types. The most common are plaster, plaster covered in canvas, and plywood covered in canvas. Other possibilities are concrete, granite, masonite, concrete board and hardibacker board. The simplest wedging surface is a piece of canvas.

Polymer Clay Earrings Q

Why are my polymer clay earrings breaking?

Polymer clay breaks after baking because it has not cured properly. This is due to either the temperature being too low or it wasn't baked for long enough. It does also depend on the brand of clay you are using, as some are more brittle, some are harder.

What size jump rings should I use for polymer clay earrings?

Jewelry jump rings: I suggest going with a larger size so that you won't have issues getting the ring through the clay. I have been using 6 and 7mm. *Here is also a kit from Amazon that includes jump rings, pliers, and tweezers.

How do you make polymer clay earrings shiny?

Polymer clay is not glossy after baking. You can sand, buff, and polish the clay itself (see below), or you can apply a glossy varnish. To make your clay project less shiny, you could apply a matte varnish. Note that adding a glossy varnish can make translucent polymer clay seem more clear.

How toxic is polymer clay?

Polymer clay is non-toxic, so it is completely safe to use around children and pets. If your child bites into their handmade clay pizza, the only consequence is a yucky taste in their mouth. However, even though polymer clay is non-toxic, eating a bowl of clay spaghetti for dinner might cause a stomachache.

Can you sand air bubbles out of polymer clay?

To remove bubbles, rub very gently and lightly (this will help you to avoid white streaks) across the bubble with the cotton bud (Q-tip), alternating the directions you're rubbing in. If you rub in the same direction for too long, the acetone will dissolve the clay and you'll be left with a groove.

How do you remove fingerprints from polymer clay before baking?

It happens to the best of us! Luckily, acetone works great for removing fingerprints from polymer clay. The acetone found in nail polish removers may not be strong enough for removing fingerprints. Your best bet would be to find 100% acetone in automotive finishing departments or even some paint stores.

Do you have to sand polymer clay earrings?

While sanding is essential to finishing polymer clay in most cases, you should be aware that most surface techniques won't take kindly to it. Ask yourself - if you scratch at a surface technique, is it likely to come off of the polymer clay? If so, you shouldn't sand that part of your bead.

Can you bake polymer clay twice?

As long as you're following the package instructions — and using an oven thermometer to maintain the proper temperature — you can bake polymer clay multiple times and complete a complicated piece in multiple steps.

How do you smooth polymer clay after baking?

If the polymer clay has already been baked, you can easily remove the fingerprints and other imperfections. You will still use cotton buds in this method, but its new partner is acetone. The acetone will melt the clay to allow you to smooth the surface.

How hard should polymer clay be after baking?

It will be difficult to break, but if it is thin it might bend easily. It will break or cut cleanly, without a crumbly texture. Of course the first hint that you're finished baking polymer clay is when your kitchen timer dings. But it won't feel done.

How thick should clay be rolled out?

You want your slab to be no less than a ¹⁄₄ inch (6.4 mm) thick so that it is sturdy enough to use without breaking. If your rolling pin is too thin, you may end up with ridges in the middle of the clay.

What surface does clay not stick to?

Most air dry clays are sticky, and you don't want that on your work surface. We recommend protecting the work area with items such as wax paper, silicone baking mats, or vinyl placemats.

How long does polymer clay jewelry last?

If it is stored correctly, polymer clay lasts indefinitely (a decade or longer). However, it can dry out and it's possible to ruin it under certain conditions.