glimmer got me interested in the idea she brought up on "how to make the doll super smooth" sculpy WILL burn in the microwave after 2 mins... BUT HA! XD there is a loophole. This is how to microwave the sculpy http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/shop/microwave.htm :XD it was quite interesting.... And the company said not to put in microwave This is the comparison of oven and microwave baked http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/shop/comparison.htm It is also strong enough to drill through http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/shop/multi_pc_beads.htm The site is interesting, so read on fimo microwavable clay... don't know if they still make them though http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/shop/fimo07.htm
Oh My goodness. What a useful secret! I MUST have to try this way! However, my mum would balme me as she quite againts my doll making processes with her tools(any kind of) I might have to do this when she goes to bed. (Truely, I have another oven that I bought it for my work, but I will try for sure^^) Thank you Joankagami
wow thats awesome! I have a hard time working with sculpy because I have to use the oven x.x I will definately try that!!
Joankagami - that is really interesting! have you guys tried this yet? I'm curious about times and volumes for larger pieces.... I wonder what would happen if you microwave a head that you sculpted over glass eyes .... definitely not a good idea to microwave one with ball bearings for eyes... fascinating ---- that you so much for posting this!
Also, would not want to use alfoil inside sculptures earmarked for microwaving!! Would be weary of using styrofoam for this too, actually... my microwave is an older convection style thing, and so not reliable!!
this is interesting, what would be safe to use as a core for a microwave piece? and I agree I would like to know about times for doll parts.
I'm not quite sure... most dollists oven bake their dolls, thus i can't have any reference on what they use as core if they ever use the microwave method. The examples given on this site are mostly beads that are not hollow, so i don't know. So who is brave enough to try these suggestions: 1. wax... but i fear of it actually melting and go up in flames. 2. airdry clay.... probably if they are stoneware or cold porcelain type that can be reconstituted like Creative paperclay 3. celuclay... probable... you should not have the sculpy so thin though since it will go all mushy 4. oil based modeling clay... might burn up also 5. wheat based (like Playdough)... ahehe... messy thing but probable 6. apoxie... i don't know what chemical reaction might just happen 8.metal wires and tubes... 8[ 9. aluminum foil... ? 10. foil for microwave... Twigling... you try this coz you suggested it
The time might depend on the thickness. Since water does make it cook evenly all through out, time won't really be a problem.... as long as you don't go up to 20mins. The site also discussed that, and I believe we should just go up to 15mins. tops. 5-10mins would be apropriate.
I don't think aluminum foil would work out too well, used as a core... you'd need quite a bit of it, and you are only suppose to use small amounts in the microwave, for like covering bones of meat that stick out. Anything metal, I'd be afraid of arching/ruining the microwave.
something to consider - standard rule of thumb for converting the plasticizer in polymer is at recommended temperature for about 15 minutes per 1/4 inch. - but that is for the heat being transferred to the clay thru air---- so the question is - is water such a more efficient transferrer of heat that you will be able to bake 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick clay within the 20 minutes? Some of my SD sized pieces are over a 1/2 thick in places.... (more by accident than by design)
The site said not to cook it for 20 mins... it is too much. She even put a page that shows the test results of different brands and kinds of polymer clay microwaved at 20mins. The beads in the first link are 1/2inch in diameter and cooked for 10 mins. on highest setting. Water is a good medium for heat transfer since the molecules have much more contact to the clay than air does, and water temperature does not fluctuate that easily.
As a warning sculpy produces toxic fumes. In fact, you're not supposed to use any ovens you cook sculpy in for food ever again ^-^ (like that's going to happen lol). But anyways, since microwaves are smaller and don't have the same ventilation system that ovens have I would be careful about cooking sculpy in it unless you buy a microwave just for that purpose. The toxicity of sculpy gas is debated among artists (most agree it is toxic, but the level of which depends on who you ask), but I know my art teacher won't even let anyone in the room and must open all windows if sculpy is baking ^-^ So just be careful! Don't want anyone being poisoned from dollies.
Metal is definitely out but I am afraid wax and modeling clay are too. Any core material that is supposed to melt out will probably end up in a puddle on the surface of the water. Once you try to remove your piece it will get covered in melted... stuff. I am curious enough to try the wax, though, since I have been using it in the oven.
I experimented on making hollow beads. I tried airdryclay and candle wax.If you are going to use wax, it is better to use a non colored one, and the PC piece should stay at the bottom. I saw how the darn thing bob up and down, collecting wax as it cooked. I don't really know if it changed the chemical structure of the polymer clay or you just really can't mix sculpy3 and premo. XD I'm experimenting. The airdry clay on the other hand turned out nicely, although you still have to poke at it when the clay has cooled and hardened. Damage during poking might only occur if you made the PC too thin. I haven't tried modeling clay yet, but it should probably be water based. Playdough is wheat based. Homemade salt dough might be ok. Just look if the package says that the clay can be cleaned off with water, not soap and water. I think you should freeze the clay first so that you can sculpt over it, or in saltdogh's case, dried hard.
@joankagami: Wow, buti nabasa mo tong article na to. I'm going to share this to a friend na walang oven sa bahay. baka may microwave!
I have used the microwave for much of my doll part baking. I usually use a glass container/bowl full of water and set the time for 15 min. I check after that time and if the item is on the large side will sometime reset for another 10-15 min to make sure it is cured well enough. I use paper with masking tape for the inside of my sculptures such as the heads to make them hollow. When you cook it in the water, it soaks the paper and it can be easily pulled out through the back of the head opening (when you wrap the tape around the paper, leave some paper exposed so the water can get in. Otherwise, your item will float which doesn't work too well when needing to cover with water lol *voice of experience*). I have had great success with this method. Also, for the holes for stringing the arms/legs, I use straws to sculpt on and just pull them out after it is microwaved. When you microwave, the sculpey gets a white film on it that will need to be sanded to make it smooth. This is good because it helps you to see the places where the clay is uneven better so you can fix it
Wouldn't fumes from the Sculpty mess up the use of your microwave? The company states not to use things that would be used for food.
Well, I think...this is just a variation of the boil-in-water method, isn't it? ...And it is easier to control time and everything using a giant soup pot and some ladles and hooks...
