About this deal
Wondering how to use air dry clay? It’s a great, cheap, and simple crafting medium for kids and adults alike. Learn how to use air dry clay, including tips for working with it and drying it faster (including the pros and cons of baking it), as well as sealing and painting air dry clay! How to use air dry clay: Drying, sealing, & painting air dry clay designs!
Once dry, get creative as you decorate with your preferred medium, whether you’re using acrylic paints or glossy varnish. Don’t forget to use sealer if you want your clay project to be waterproof! First, I grabbed a sheet pan and put a layer of aluminum foil down. Then I put my creations on the pan and put them in the oven before turning it on. Many types of air-dry clay are no longer workable once dry, so for projects that will take a few days, choose earthen clay, cover the work-in-progress with a damp towel between sessions to keep it in a workable state, and rub in a bit of water to restore malleability. Adherence It isn’t perfect, by any means, but it meant R could help too. She liked helping to roll the clay out, roll the pot along the clay, cut out the template, and smooth everything out with messy wet hands. Tips for working with Crayola Air Dry Clay If you are joining pieces today, you can rough up the two pieces and add a bit of water with a small brush so that you can smooth them together. This is a technique that I remember using in elementary school art class—I’m no expert!
So that leaves us with acrylic paint that has a sealer built into it and an aerosol acrylic sealer. Much like I do for terracotta clay pots, I like using both. Personally…I do not trust the long-term durability of acrylic paints with sealer built in. I have seen them chip too many times. Quality and durability vary depending on the type and brand of air-dry clay, but the project should largely determine the choice. Consider: Terracotta is all the rage right now, and I had the idea to make terracotta Christmas ornaments! Let me show you the step by step instructions on how to make air dry clay ornaments with terracotta and white clay. They turn out unbelievably beautiful! Besides using them as the obvious (as ornaments on hanging on your Christmas tree), here are some other ideas for how to use the finished products. However, with time I have switched over to using either Sculpey white Air Dry clay or Das White Air Dry Clay. I think for the type of projects I typically do; home decor type projects, these are superior quality brands.
Paper-based clay starts with a clay body, such as terra cotta or earthenware, then adds processed paper (or other cellulose fiber). The paper reduces a project’s weight, improves joining capabilities (paper fibers weave together), and decreases warping—all assets for sculpting and a host of other projects. Another benefit: To make alterations to a project, paper-based clay can undergo dry-to-dry and wet-to-dry joins. The paper fibers increase the firmness of the sculpture while minimizing shrinkage during the drying process. Earthen Several thin coats are the key to a smooth, drip-free finish. Treat it like you’d treat spray paint. Globbing it on won’t do a better job, it will just drip and take forever to dry. Air-Dry Clay can be sealed once your piece is completely dry after 72 hours. Once dry, we suggest using an acrylic varnish. Make sure to test its compatibility with the varnish before applying it to a finished piece. Use a combination of multimedia materials, crafting tools and your hands to mold air-dry clay into the design or shape you desire. And after the piece is finished, dried, and sealed, it’s time to finally paint the air dry clay creations! Yes, it takes a while to get to this point. But that’s just part of working with clay. Here’s what I recommend for painting air dry clay. Painting air dry clay designs to lastLay or stand your air-dry polymer clay projects on one of the surfaces listed above in an area with low humidity. Remember, the sky's the limit — create unique textures and patterns and incorporate mixed media elements where you see fit! Since I don't have a kiln (umm...dream home!!), air dry was my only option. There were a few different colors available, but terra cotta clay seemed liked the best to me since I love earthy tones and materials. And since clay is so inexpensive versus metal pendants, I could afford to experiment with shapes and impressions without throwing away a bunch of cash. Bonus: it's also incredibly relaxing to work with your hands in this fashion!
As you work, cover any extra clay you're not handling with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying. This 100 percent natural, non-toxic clay has no chemical stabilizers or additives, so its ingredients do emit a slight odor. Available in gray, terra cotta, and white, the clay is ready to paint as soon as it’s dry. Once dry, this material is fragile but can be strengthened by adding a layer of shellac to the finished product. Howeverrr…I decided to try to bake it because I didn’t want to wait 1–2 days for the creations to dry. Here’s how I baked this clay. One benefit of earthen air-dry clay is its suitability for long-term projects, and this Craft Smart product is a reliable choice for ongoing modeling, sculpting, and pottery works. Simply add a little water to soften the clay, and keep on creating. Unlike other air-dry clays, this natural clay is robust enough to use on a potter’s wheel, making it suitable for decorative bowls and vases.Air dry clay is not as messy as other types of clay, such as polymer clay. This makes it a good choice for children and adults who are not comfortable working with messy materials. Sealing your work will not waterproof it. Exposure to water and outdoor elements will have a negative effect on the Air-Dry Clay, so we recommend displaying your sculpture indoors.