I spent the last 3 days making polymer clay translucent canes, rolling a base, and decorating a cover sheet, and then making these pendants - there are actually 7 of them. However every one has 4 - 6 small hairline cracks on them - mostly on the shoulder edge. I used a method where you put a piece of plastic wrap over the area you want to cut out, and then push down with a cookie cutter. The plastic wrap serves two purposes, one is it stops the cookie cutter from sticking, and second it gives a nice rolled edge to the piece. However I am beginning to think that maybe it also creats stress and thus the cracks. The cracks are not structural, but they bother me - big time! I have 3 left to sand, and I don't know if I want to put the effort into it. If any of you out there in blog land have experience with polymer, can you please chime in and let me know what I have done wrong.
So much for a bit of relaxation during my off time - I guess polymer comes with it's own set of problems. I think I will be back in the glass shop tomorrow.
Have a great week!
9 comments:
Oh too bad, 'cause they're just gorgeous!!!!!!!!
I sure can't see the cracks!! And they are beautiful pendants!!!
~Kam
These are spectacular! I wish I could offer some help.
Thanks everyone. The cracks are there though Kam. I was wondering if translucent was difficult to work with.
sorry I can't help you with polymer info...but don't give up, because they are great!!!!
Wish I could help with the issues but I know nothing about polymer clay. Though the beads are gorgeous, love the colors!!!
Dear Jane. Let's do this again with better writing. I can think of a few reasons for the cracking. First,may be the different brand of clay were used to make canes and they need different temp to cure. Second the cane slide was so thin, so when you covered them with plastic wrap, you might stretch them a little bit too much. Old canes can be too dry and will crack as well.
Your beads are pretty.
ponsawan
Thanks for your suggestions Ponsawan. The clay is all Premo, although some is over 2 years old. The canes themselves were just newly made, but perhaps the slices were too thin. I will try again.
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