Scenting Polymer Clay
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Original Post
I'm trying out different methods on how to add scent to polymer clay and I've seen mixed opinions on how adding the fragrance oil directly affects the clay...
Is it true that the oil will "eat" the clay if added directly (baked or unbaked)?
Posted at 9:10pm Aug 28, 2009 EDT
Responses
I don't know the answer, but I would love to know too.
Posted at 9:24pm Aug 28, 2009 EDT
I know as far as varnishes anything oil based will "eat" it...wonder if mixing oil in would do the same...but I have heard of people mixing mineral oil into their clay to soften it...so maybe you could?!
Posted at 10:38pm Aug 28, 2009 EDT
Maybe you could mix in some Kool Aid powder! Really, I don't know if that would work or not, but it just popped into my head.
Posted at 10:51pm Aug 28, 2009 EDT
How 'bout this?
www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/scented-polymer-clay-secret-formula/116/
Posted at 11:15pm Aug 28, 2009 EDT
Thank you so much all! That's true, I hadn't thought about the mineral oil...hmm, I'll take some scrap clay off of my massive heap and do some experimenting ^_^
Thank you bogshaun for the link, I'll defintitely try out the methods there too :)
Posted at 10:23am Aug 29, 2009 EDT
Kool-aid powder sounds interesting, might work you never know XD
Posted at 10:24am Aug 29, 2009 EDT
I would check out www.glassattic.com and see if there's anything on it about scenting. The trouble with many of the oils that will react with the clay is that it doesn't necessarily happen right away, but rather over time. One of my earliest sculptures I made as a gift looked great for the first two years, but then the varnish I had used started to react and discolor. It took a long while to do it, but now it's kinda permanently sticky to the touch and instead of solid orange is a mottled orange/yellow/reddish color. Polymer clay central is another site that has quite a few knowledgable posters who could probably answer your questions.
Good luck! I'd love to know if you find something that works!
Posted at 12:53pm Aug 29, 2009 EDT
Thank you deetsy! There is some info at glassattic under "Inclusions - SMELL-Y"
Wow I had no idea that it could take so long for that kind of reaction to happen (I'm so sorry about your sculpture!)...I'll definitely keep that in mind
Here's what I've tried so far...
On already baked clay, I mixed some essential oil to Krylon crystal clear glaze and painted on a thin coat...on another piece of cured clay that had already a coat of glaze, I brushed the oil directly onto it.
It's only been a couple of days, but the strongest scent is coming from the already glazed clay with oil brushed onto it.
I'll keep experimenting and I'll let you know which is most successful :)
Posted at 5:38pm Aug 29, 2009 EDT
I have also been experimenting with this for a long time now and haven't yet perfected it. The people who do it the best are very tight-lipped about their techniques and will never tell you, so it's frustrating. But I have used scented oils and have never had a problem with it eating the clay. I think the main thing is, buy a really strong oil and use a tiny bit, I think if you use a lot it might eat the clay, but I have had no problems with charms that I have just put a few drops on, and I have had them for months!
I like to add the oil before baking. I've added it after as well, but it makes the clay sticky and sometimes never completely dries, so I would caution against that. Also, never mix the oil with certain glazes, as they will never cure and just peel off.
These are my tips, I would love to hear others as well!
Posted at 6:05pm Aug 29, 2009 EDT