How to Make Air Dry Clay: Air dry clay is a fantastic medium for unleashing your inner sculptor. In this blog post, we’ve compiled how to make air dry clay using simple and inexpensive things that will allow you to prove your sculpting using DIY methods.
Table of Contents
Creating Air Dry Clay Using Different Things:
1.Air Dry Clay Recipe with Cornstarch and Baking Soda
If you dislike the sticky feel of glue on your hands, this recipe is perfect as it eliminates the need for glue altogether. It guides you through the entire air-drying process from start to finish.
Materials You’ll Need
Cornstarch (cornflour) – 1 cup
Baking soda – 2 cups
Cold water – 1.5 cups
Liquid or gel food coloring of your choice
Steps to Prepare
- Combine baking soda and cornstarch in a pot, ensuring thorough mixing.
- Gradually stir in cold water, eliminating any lumps and achieving a smooth mixture.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to give the dough a pastel hue. For a deeper shade, keep adding color until the desired hue is achieved.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat while stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
- Continue whisking until the mixture thickens, forming a ball in about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat when the whisk becomes difficult to move.
- Let it cool, maintaining moisture by covering the pot with a damp cloth.
- Knead the dough until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more cornstarch if it’s sticky or a teaspoon of water if too thick.
- Your clay is now ready for molding. Shape it as desired and let it air dry on a tray for 1-2 days.
- Once fully dry, decorate with acrylic paint to your heart’s content.
2. Make Air Dry Clay Using Flour and Glue
Here’s a mess-free option for kids, as it involves no cooking or baking. The addition of glue provides strength to the clay.
Materials You’ll Need
Elmer’s glue – ¼ cup
Flour – ¼ cup
Cornstarch – ¼ cup
Steps to Prepare
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a small bowl.
- Knead the mixture until it forms moldable clay with a slightly sticky texture (avoid making it brittle).
- Create your desired shapes and store them in an airtight container for 24-48 hours until they become dry and hard.
- You can paint and decorate them with ribbons and beads. Alternatively, you can replace the flour with baby powder.
3. Make Air Dry Clay with Bread
Materials You’ll Need
Bread- 7 slices
Water-½ teaspoon
White glue-7 teaspoons
Dishwashing liquid-½ teaspoon
Steps to Prepare
- Remove the crust from 7 slices of bread.
- Break the bread into tiny pieces and transfer them to a medium-sized bowl.
- Add 7 teaspoons of white glue and mix thoroughly.
- Repeat the mixing process after adding ½ teaspoon of water and ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.
- Knead until you achieve the ideal clay consistency.
- Mold your creation and allow it to air dry. This method requires no cornstarch, flour, or baking soda.
How to Make Air Dry Porcelain Clay for Modeling
Cold porcelain clay serves as an affordable alternative to regular polymer clay.
Materials You’ll Need
Cornstarch – 1 cup
Vinegar/lime/lemon juice – 2 tbsp
PVA glue – 1 cup
Baby oil – 2 tbsp
Steps to Prepare
1. Mix cornstarch and glue in a microwave-safe container.
2. Add lemon juice and mix again. Incorporate baby oil.
3. Microwave the mixture in 5 segments, each lasting 15 seconds.
4. After each segment, remove the container and stir with a fork or knife.
[Note: Clumps will form after the 3rd segment; ensure thorough mixing.]
5. Knead on a clean surface until cooled, typically 10-15 minutes.
6. Wrap it tightly in plastic film, place it in an airtight container for faster drying, and refrigerate for 24 hours.
7. If it remains sticky inside, add more cornstarch and knead.
You’ll know it’s the right consistency when a small part forms a teardrop shape when pulled.
Conclusion
Now, equipped with your homemade air-dry clay, you can bring your molding ideas to life. Let your imagination soar as you create lasting Christmas decorations, jewellery, and other durable art and craft items.
