Difference between revisions of "Use Air Drying Clay"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Choosing and Buying Your Clay=== | ===Choosing and Buying Your Clay=== | ||
| − | #Determine the type of project you are using air drying clay for. There are different types of air drying clay that are ideally suited for different purposes.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8bhR7KZUB4</ref> You'll need to know what you are using the clay for, in order to determine which type of clay is right for you. These are other questions you should ask yourself: | + | #Determine the type of project you are using air drying clay for. There are different types of air drying clay that are ideally suited for different purposes.<ref name="rf1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8bhR7KZUB4</ref> You'll need to know what you are using the clay for, in order to determine which type of clay is right for you. These are other questions you should ask yourself: |
#*How big is my final product going to be? | #*How big is my final product going to be? | ||
#*How heavy do I want my final product to be? | #*How heavy do I want my final product to be? | ||
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#*Do I want my clay to have a heftier, "premium" feel (usually applies to jewelry/trinkets/beads)? | #*Do I want my clay to have a heftier, "premium" feel (usually applies to jewelry/trinkets/beads)? | ||
#Choose paper-based air drying clay for larger projects. Usually, larger projects will benefit from paper clay. Since they require a lot of material, you'll save money. The finished project will also be much lighter. | #Choose paper-based air drying clay for larger projects. Usually, larger projects will benefit from paper clay. Since they require a lot of material, you'll save money. The finished project will also be much lighter. | ||
| − | #*Paper based clay feels fluffy to work with, but is hard and light when it dries.<ref | + | #*Paper based clay feels fluffy to work with, but is hard and light when it dries.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*Paper based clay will be fluffy and chunks of it will break off in similar fashion to cotton candy.<ref | + | #*Paper based clay will be fluffy and chunks of it will break off in similar fashion to cotton candy.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Choose resin-based air drying clay for smaller projects like jewelry. Equally strong, resin based clay (sometimes called porcelain based clay) is much denser, and when it is dried seems much more similar to baked polymer clay. It is also much more expensive and heavier.<ref | + | #Choose resin-based air drying clay for smaller projects like jewelry. Equally strong, resin based clay (sometimes called porcelain based clay) is much denser, and when it is dried seems much more similar to baked polymer clay. It is also much more expensive and heavier.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*Smaller projects like jewelry or beads benefit from the "premium" feel of resin or porcelain based clay.<ref | + | #*Smaller projects like jewelry or beads benefit from the "premium" feel of resin or porcelain based clay.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*Resin based clay is denser and will pull apart like fudge, caramel, or toffee.<ref | + | #*Resin based clay is denser and will pull apart like fudge, caramel, or toffee.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Buy your clay. After you've determined what type of clay you want to purchase, you'll need to go out and buy it. Be sure that you buy enough for your project, but don't buy too much. Opened clay is hard to store and can easily become hard to work with and useless. <ref | + | #Buy your clay. After you've determined what type of clay you want to purchase, you'll need to go out and buy it. Be sure that you buy enough for your project, but don't buy too much. Opened clay is hard to store and can easily become hard to work with and useless. <ref name="rf1" />. You can purchase your clay locally at a arts and crafts store, or purchase it online. |
| − | #*If you still aren't sure what type of clay to use, or want advice on your project, some stores have clerks that can answer your questions, and even offer classes.<ref>http://www.michaels.com/classes-and-events/classesandevents</ref> | + | #*If you still aren't sure what type of clay to use, or want advice on your project, some stores have clerks that can answer your questions, and even offer classes.<ref name="rf2">http://www.michaels.com/classes-and-events/classesandevents</ref> |
#*Purchasing your clay online will usually give you better prices and options, but you may have to wait several days for it to arrive. | #*Purchasing your clay online will usually give you better prices and options, but you may have to wait several days for it to arrive. | ||
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#Knead your clay until it is soft. Kneading and massaging the clay will soften it and make it easier to work with. The warmth of your hands will spread to the clay and make it malleable. Conditioning the clay is essential for proper use. If you planned to work with multiple bags of clay, knead them one at a time. | #Knead your clay until it is soft. Kneading and massaging the clay will soften it and make it easier to work with. The warmth of your hands will spread to the clay and make it malleable. Conditioning the clay is essential for proper use. If you planned to work with multiple bags of clay, knead them one at a time. | ||
#*If using multiple bags for one piece, knead the clay together after each bag of clay has been warmed and kneaded separately. | #*If using multiple bags for one piece, knead the clay together after each bag of clay has been warmed and kneaded separately. | ||
| − | #*If using paper based clay, you can add a small amount of water to additionally soften the clay. <ref | + | #*If using paper based clay, you can add a small amount of water to additionally soften the clay. <ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*Resin based clay can be softened (and colored!) with acrylic paint. <ref | + | #*Resin based clay can be softened (and colored!) with acrylic paint. <ref name="rf1" /> |
#Shape your clay. Both three dimensional and flat figures are easy to make with air drying clay. Use your hands and tools like knives, spoons, or even spinning wheels to form and shape the clay as you desire. | #Shape your clay. Both three dimensional and flat figures are easy to make with air drying clay. Use your hands and tools like knives, spoons, or even spinning wheels to form and shape the clay as you desire. | ||
| − | #*Crafting tools (or even dental picks and equipment!) can be very useful for creating more complex projects, as you can be much more exact with them.<ref | + | #*Crafting tools (or even dental picks and equipment!) can be very useful for creating more complex projects, as you can be much more exact with them.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*If you are making a larger project that needs to stand up such as a vase, make sure that it has a large, flat base. | #*If you are making a larger project that needs to stand up such as a vase, make sure that it has a large, flat base. | ||
| − | #Decorate your clay. You can press beads, yard, or even other pieces of clay into your project. Be sure to be careful, as you'll need to use enough pressure to press your decoration into the clay without changing or squashing your project. <ref | + | #Decorate your clay. You can press beads, yard, or even other pieces of clay into your project. Be sure to be careful, as you'll need to use enough pressure to press your decoration into the clay without changing or squashing your project. <ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Store your excess clay. Since clay spoils easily once it has been opened, ideally you'll have used it all. If not, leftover clay can be tightly wrapped in wax paper and stored in a plastic bag. It won't be as simple to work with or as useful afterwards though.<ref | + | #Store your excess clay. Since clay spoils easily once it has been opened, ideally you'll have used it all. If not, leftover clay can be tightly wrapped in wax paper and stored in a plastic bag. It won't be as simple to work with or as useful afterwards though.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Tough excess clay can sometimes be saved by (carefully) using a microwave to warm the clay up. | #*Tough excess clay can sometimes be saved by (carefully) using a microwave to warm the clay up. | ||
===Drying Your Clay=== | ===Drying Your Clay=== | ||
| − | #Dry your clay. Find a clean, smooth, nonporous surface where your clay can dry for 24 hours. <ref>http://www.rapidonline.com/das-air-drying-modelling-clay-78257</ref> Put your clay down and do not disturb or move the clay while it dries. You'll need to be patient to make sure that you don't ruin your project. | + | #Dry your clay. Find a clean, smooth, nonporous surface where your clay can dry for 24 hours. <ref name="rf3">http://www.rapidonline.com/das-air-drying-modelling-clay-78257</ref> Put your clay down and do not disturb or move the clay while it dries. You'll need to be patient to make sure that you don't ruin your project. |
#*A cool, dry area (one with low humidity) is best. Mild air circulation is also helpful. | #*A cool, dry area (one with low humidity) is best. Mild air circulation is also helpful. | ||
| − | #*Thicker projects (over 1cm) may take even longer to dry.<ref | + | #*Thicker projects (over 1cm) may take even longer to dry.<ref name="rf3" />Better to be safe than sorry. |
#Check if the clay is dry. After 24 hours the clay should definitely be dry to the touch, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is ready. If your clay project is thick you may want to give it some extra time. There are other ways to visually evaluate if your clay is ready as well. | #Check if the clay is dry. After 24 hours the clay should definitely be dry to the touch, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is ready. If your clay project is thick you may want to give it some extra time. There are other ways to visually evaluate if your clay is ready as well. | ||
| − | #*Resin based clay turns darker and more translucent.<ref | + | #*Resin based clay turns darker and more translucent.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Paper based clay will stay very opaque. | #*Paper based clay will stay very opaque. | ||
#Remove the clay from the drying area. Once it is dry, carefully remove the clay from the drying area and take it back to your work area. You may want to lay down some newspapers or an old sheet. Be careful, while the clay will be hard it may be quite brittle. Don't drop it and risk breaking it. | #Remove the clay from the drying area. Once it is dry, carefully remove the clay from the drying area and take it back to your work area. You may want to lay down some newspapers or an old sheet. Be careful, while the clay will be hard it may be quite brittle. Don't drop it and risk breaking it. | ||
| − | #Decorate your clay. If desired, you can decorate your project further! Tempera, acrylic, and watercolor paints can be used on dry clay projects.<ref>http://www.crayola.com/things-to-do/how-to-landing/airdry-clay.aspx</ref> You can also use glue to attach beads, sequins, fabric, and other fun decorations to your clay project. | + | #Decorate your clay. If desired, you can decorate your project further! Tempera, acrylic, and watercolor paints can be used on dry clay projects.<ref name="rf4">http://www.crayola.com/things-to-do/how-to-landing/airdry-clay.aspx</ref> You can also use glue to attach beads, sequins, fabric, and other fun decorations to your clay project. |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
| − | *Clay will shrink slightly over time, so be careful when creating clay molds.<ref | + | *Clay will shrink slightly over time, so be careful when creating clay molds.<ref name="rf1" /> |
*Well-kneaded clay is soft and sticky. This is why you want to work on a nonporous surface. | *Well-kneaded clay is soft and sticky. This is why you want to work on a nonporous surface. | ||
| − | *Mix different colors of clay by kneading them together between your fingers. This works well with lighter colors.<ref | + | *Mix different colors of clay by kneading them together between your fingers. This works well with lighter colors.<ref name="rf1" /> |
*Lift the clay from your working surface often, otherwise, it could stick. | *Lift the clay from your working surface often, otherwise, it could stick. | ||
