Hi Miss Mary! I have been doing this for several years and I have a couple of tips for you. If the clay was rolled out a tiny bit thinner then you shouldn't get the drag marks from the blade. You are correct in that very intricate cuts are not easy. But, you can cut less 'blobby" shapes, just check the nodes before you cut. You can smooth out or remove some of the nodes to help keep the shape sharp, but turn the blade less. You don't need that much Bake & Bond since you are attaching raw clay to raw clay. You really just need it where the paperclip is. I know some packages say 15 mins for every 1/4", but all clay really needs a minimum of at least 20 mins to completely cure. You do need an oven thermometer because many ovens spike to reach & keep temperature. My home oven runs 50 degrees over the dial most times. And you don't want the temperature to go over 300 degrees or it will burn the clay. So run your oven for 30 mins. after it has pre-heated and watch the oven thermometer. It should be between 275 & 290 at all times. And if you are using your kitchen oven it is a good idea to cover the top of your baking vessel with aluminum foil. It's a very cute project!
Hi Miss Mary! I have been doing this for several years and I have a couple of tips for you.
If the clay was rolled out a tiny bit thinner then you shouldn't get the drag marks from the blade.
You are correct in that very intricate cuts are not easy. But, you can cut less 'blobby" shapes, just check the nodes before you cut. You can smooth out or remove some of the nodes to help keep the shape sharp, but turn the blade less.
You don't need that much Bake & Bond since you are attaching raw clay to raw clay. You really just need it where the paperclip is. I know some packages say 15 mins for every 1/4", but all clay really needs a minimum of at least 20 mins to completely cure.
You do need an oven thermometer because many ovens spike to reach & keep temperature. My home oven runs 50 degrees over the dial most times. And you don't want the temperature to go over 300 degrees or it will burn the clay. So run your oven for 30 mins. after it has pre-heated and watch the oven thermometer. It should be between 275 & 290 at all times. And if you are using your kitchen oven it is a good idea to cover the top of your baking vessel with aluminum foil.
It's a very cute project!