I use a toaster oven unless i have something huge. I used my oven when first started and noticed a different in food flavor.

If you do use your oven, put aluminum foil over it ( good idear anyways). A turkey basting pan works great. But a cheap $40 toaster oven with thermometer to make sure the setting is fine is great. A convection oven is better since you really have to watch for temperature spikes..

I haven't actually done much with the clay, but I got a cheap TS toaster oven. Worked fine when thee kids used it for a project

Maria

I just use my regular toaster oven or oven depending on size, if my family ever noticed a different flavor I just tell them it's a "secret" ingredient..
though now that my Dh is starting to look a bit like Gumby..maybe I should get a dedicated one..

Laurie Mika suggests using two of the roasting pans - one for the clay and the other for the top to be clamped onto it, if y'all use your regular ovens.

I got a toaster oven for my clay at Walmart for about $15 . I've baked a few things in it .... and I still use it for toast. I wonder why they say not to use it for food once clay has been baked. Mine sits for long periods of time between uses .... maybe it "Airs out" or something.

if it is very infrequent it is no big deal but I was putting stuff in it twice a day there for awhile :D

You know you are a mosaic addict when: You bake more things to mosaic than you do to eat!!!lol!

OK, next question

is a pasta maker really necessary?

A pasta maker is great if you're making "skinner blends" - blending of two colors so that you get gradations in colors or to condition the clay faster. Many clay artists use their hands to condition it. Some clay is harder than others. Laurie Mika uses an acrylic roller instead of the pasta maker but Kathleen Dustin uses an electric pasta machine because she's working with larger pieces. They're not cheap; I'd look for a 50% off coupon!

I was bummed with mine....it rolls out so thin, I can't really use it. So it's just to soften it. I may take it back. I find sitting on it for while softens it really good!hahaah!

Hazie

TMG when your toast comes out looking like Hazie's tiles you know it is time to get a dedicated toaster oven for clay.

Hazie it is all in the sugar cookies. ROFLMAO

Chris

hazie, you know there is a thickness setting right?

I have 2 pasta machines, 1 for dark colors, one for white/transparencies. Life is so easy with them! Saves much time. Look on ebay for a pasta machine but I really love my nice one. Can get them at Goodwill sometimes too. If you are only gonna make tiles that are stamped can prolly get away with not having oneI do condition by hand normally though. Grab a ton of clay I am gonna need and just play with it while watching tv.

If y'all don't know about it polymerclaycentral.com is an awesome resource to learn some great stuff and a fabulous community too (like here!)

thanks eklypz, I'll check it out. I know that the GW clay forum is near death at times with no regular posters

see I think I would need the pasta maker for making milifiori!

OKAY, after reading the site that Jeff posted about - what adhesives for mosaics, what does Mika use?

Good morning nice!
Laurie Mika uses Weldbond. The pasta machine is about $25
at hobby lobby. The clay oven was 30% off this week. I got mine at Michaels with a 1/2 off coupon, and it was about $27.

Hazie

I have read on numerous sites and books that you should either use a separate oven for baking clay or enclose the clay between 2 pans clamped together and have good ventilation:

"While working with raw polymer clay, take care not to rub your eyes. Wash your hands frequently and especially before eating. Tools and equipment (toaster ovens, food processors, pasta machines, knives, etc.) that come into contact with raw polymer clay must never be used to prepare food afterward, and baked clay items should not be used to prepare or serve food, either.

This advice bears repeating: Always bake polymer clay in a room with excellent ventilation. Leave at least one window open and use a fan to blow the fumes away from your work area. This is especially important when clay guilds or crafting parties get together and have two or more ovens baking clay at the same time.

ItÂs best to reserve a "dedicated oven" for baking polymer clay. Using your home oven is an option for very infrequent baking sessions, but you must thoroughly wash out the inside afterward with baking soda and water to remove any baked on residue from the fumes, which will re-release when you use the oven later to bake food. Another option is to bake your clay inside a sealed baking bag (for baking turkeys), which should capture any residue released during the baking process. Discard the bag after each use."

Da-hanng. sounds like a dedicated toaster oven is the way to go.

yeah, that's what I'm thinking too

An oven's on the list.
Thanks cracked...good to know.

The thing about the fumes is really only when it burns but I kinda like the smell of cooking polymer clay..it makes me happy. Erm I guess that is when you know you are using the right medium lol.

I found the best way to keep it from burning is to cover it with aluminum foil. I really like premo clay and kato for it's strength.

Drats I was trying to focus on glass , all this pc talk gots me wanting to make some clay stuff :P

mixed media is where it's at right now baby!!!! LOL

Kato is the brand I'm looking at cause I got money to spend at Delphi, so It would be like... FREE! LOL

fumes, yep thats why I like Silicone!