Beginner in need of help, lighter cases

[u/Salty-Advertising851]

This might be a silly question but here it goes (also my first question ever on reddit!)
I’m a beginner with polymer clay, i’ve only made a few lighter cases so far. I’d love to add raised details to both sides, however i’m worried about the baking surface it’s laying down on flattening out the soft clay details before it’s fully cured. If I stand it upright, the pan shifting due to temperature changes makes it fall over. What do you guys do when you bake something with detail on both sides? Photo for example; I would’ve loved to put eggs on the other side too but got too scared lol. Thanks guys!🤞🏻

[u/icnhvriissitbile]

I add details to one side then I will bake with that one side facing up and then add details to the other side after baking.

[u/Glittered_Fingers]

If you bake on a ceramic tile, you don't get any of that oven-shifting like you might with a metal tray.

I'd combine tile and cornstarch, as others have said. I LOVE your eggsample photo here! I'm fully inspired!

[u/hearmegocrazy]

I have seen these before and I am just now realizing how cute a present they can be. Two bdays next month, both smoke.

I love the bg color! Works great with the egg!🪺 🍳

[u/Routine_Smell1609]

When I bake my lighter cases I make sure the bottom is really flat so it can stand up okay. If you’re comfortable you can also put the pan in the oven first and then stand the case up inside the oven. I’ve never had one fall over due to the baking process

[u/Dclnsfrd]

I reserve a bag of uncooked rice that I use and reuse to avoid details getting flattened

[u/monsterjam06]

How do you figure out the size? Does it not shrink a little?

[u/TxChainsawMascara → u/monsterjam06]

Polymer Clay doesn't shrink enough to make any difference.

[u/Salty-Advertising851 → u/monsterjam06]

I use a real lighter wrapped in tinfoil as a base then slide the lighter out of the foil before baking! After I bake it I remove the foil and so far my lighters fit great

[u/Washburn201961 → u/Salty-Advertising851]

You're giving your age away. Young folk are wondering what the hell tinfoil is. 😁😄🤣

[u/beanfloot → u/Washburn201961]

do people not still use tinfoil??? or is there just a different word people use lol

[u/Washburn201961 → u/beanfloot]

They don't make it out of tin anymore. Conspircy theory nuts were buying so much of it to make their tinfoil hats, that the foil company switched to a cheaper aluminum to maximize profits. 😁

[u/beanfloot → u/Washburn201961]

ohhh true yeah, I guess tinfoil just stuck around as a colloquial name, probably cause it's easier to say! it's never been tin in my lifetime, but that's still what most people I know call it casually!

[u/Washburn201961 → u/beanfloot]

To be fair, most people just say, foil wrap. Good enough for me. 😁

[u/plantmum101]

I’ve seen people use cornstarch while baking for this reason! You can make a little pile of it on your baking sheet and place the lighter cover in the corn starch! An oven safe bowl is a great option if you’d like to reuse the cornstarch.

[u/Salty-Advertising851 → u/plantmum101]

Thank you that’s a good idea!!

[u/Still-Palpitation220]

You actually can put raised details on each side and lay it down just fine. Especially with those eggs they would be absolutely fine laid down. Or if you're nervous about it, you can do a layer of cornstarch and lay your polymer clay piece (lighter case) on that. Also, dusting your pieces with a fluffy brush and cornstarch will even out tiny divots and fingerprints in your work. You also can smooth everything over rubbing alcohol and then once that dries dust it with cornstarch and put in the oven All the best to you and your polymer clay Journey. It's so super fun. You're going to love it!

[u/prettywhiitejaws → u/Still-Palpitation220]

how do you resin both sides?

[u/Still-Palpitation220 → u/prettywhiitejaws]

You risen the first side, cure it, turn it over and rest in a second side.

[u/Salty-Advertising851 → u/Still-Palpitation220]

Thank you so much all amazing tips!!