Armatures for polymer clay dolls?

[DollyKim]

I know aluminum foil works with polymer clay, and Wild Wire says it does. I want to try to make a jointed out of polymer clay but I'm uncertain what to use inside the body and other large parts I want to be hollow. I've done heads and odds and ends of polymer clay baking so I'm slightly familiar with it. Boil setting isn't an option.

I have a dedicated clay oven and a bead baking wrack among other things at my disposal. Outside of balling up a bunch of foil is there something I can use that will withstand repeated baking without burning?

[yarwel]

If you are looking for something to keep your hollow pieces from deforming in the oven you can use fiberfill. It may become matted after repeated use because it is made of artificial fibers but it won't burn at those temperatures.

[DollyKim]

Fiberfill brand or any poly fill stuffing in general?

[yarwel]

Any brand should work. I don't think there is any significant difference between the name brand and the generics.

[dhawktx]

Yes, any poly filling will work at those temps - it's great for keeping you from getting a shiny spot where the clay sits on a hard surface while it bakes.

[Morgan]

One option for hollow parts is wire mesh: http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/wireform/WireForm1.htm

[DollyKim]

I have some of the Active Mesh, I think that's how they spell it, I just didn't keep the packaging. It's very fine and sold with Rigid Wrap and other crafts in the polymer clay aisle.

What I want to try is to make a ball joint doll, 1/6 to the smaller end of the 1/4 side, do the body especially will need to keep it's shape.

[Morgan]

One thing I found helpful with the mesh was to reinforce it with Apoxie Sculpt, which is stronger than polymer clay. Using the mesh alone as an armature, it tended to get a little smushed.

[DollyKim]

What about using wood? Dowels? Chopsticks?

I have some unfinished wood beads that are a good size for joints and I wonder if it would be possible to make them part of the form from the beginning.

And to pass some tips a master doll maker uses glass baking dishes because she said metal, including foil inside, can make everything warmer. Polyfil stuffing nests can leave little marks of fibers on the clay.

[DollyKim]

Can an air dry clay be used as an armature? Would it be possible to make a skeleton out of something like La Doll clay or a paper mache mix?

After some trial and error I am in need of a skeleton that I can build upon and bake then scoop out to make the doll hollow. I know making a strung polymer clay doll is a pain but I don't want to give up just yet.