To bake or not to bake...

[Welshtotty]

... That is my question. And if someone could advise I'd be really grateful!

I've covered a vase in polyclay, I intend to decorate it with flowers made with canes and a butterfly or two. Would it be better if I baked this background on it first then added the decoration or add it all now and bake it in one go?

What say you, experts? 

Oh and ere it is at the mo.....

[Karolina.S]

If it was my vase i would make it a bit smoother, bake it, sand it and then decorate. But that is me.

Lovely colours and a nice pattern 

[Welshtotty]

It does need more smoothing, it's been rollered all over, how would you get it smoother before baking? This is all new to me as it's an experiment! Lol

[ickledookie]

Me being lazy I would put the decs on now lol so ignore me!

[Peter]

I quite often do five or six bakes when I am making things so you can guess what my advice would be...

[Welshtotty]

Ok, I'm going to smooth it out some more and I'm going to bake it!

Thanks folks x

[MelMcG]

I've never done anything like that, so I wouldn't know what would be best.  I think what you've done so far is wonderful though and I can't wait to see the finished vase!!

Mel 

[inkyfingers]

It does need more smoothing, it's been rollered all over, how would you get it smoother before baking? This is all new to me as it's an experiment! Lol

I would be putting a piece of cling film over it and giving it a little massage all over (technical term is "burnishing" to get it really smooth, then bake. Do it in sections and just rub the pad of your index finger over gently... then move the cling film and repeat ad nauseam.....

It would then benefit from sanding to further refine the BG (IMO) then you can add the floral decorations.

Obviously, I'm a *serial baker*, aka "Perfectionist" !!! 

[Welshtotty]

It does need more smoothing, it's been rollered all over, how would you get it smoother before baking? This is all new to me as it's an experiment! Lol

I would be putting a piece of cling film over it and giving it a little massage all over (technical term is "burnishing" to get it really smooth, then bake. Do it in sections and just rub the pad of your index finger over gently... then move the cling film and repeat ad nauseam.....

It would then benefit from sanding to further refine the BG (IMO) then you can add the floral decorations.

Obviously, I'm a *serial baker*, aka "Perfectionist" !!! 

Doh! Of course, clingfilm...... I'm a numpty! I use the stuff to smooth pendants why didn't I think of that! Thank you so much, this is my little job this morning.....

[Karolina.S]

It looks like it is quite thick so i would carefully cut some of with the flexibel blade and then use a roller to smooth it.  Maybe the cling film helps, i don´t use it for that yet
If you just try to smopth it out without cutting any off the risk is high for disortion. and that would be a shame.

Also a serial baker/ burner. I´m like Pete i bake up to 10 times depending on the project.

[Welshtotty]

It's not thick, it's rolled out on number 7 setting on the pasta machine. Anyway I smoothed it as best I could with clingfilm and it's been baked, came out ok, I'm decorating it now!

[ickledookie]

Can't wait to see it Abbie! 

[Welshtotty]

It's in the oven baking at the mo......I got very carried away and it's a bit OTT! As soon as it's cooled I'll take and post some pix.

[Welshtotty]

Ok here's some pix. I do have a little video of it too but I dunno if I can post it on here so I'll stick to the stills.

[Karolina.S]

A happy vase well done