The best air dry clay for crafts will be one that is strong and durable enough to hold its shape when it dries but also easy enough to work with so there won’t be any frustration during air-dry clay projects. To paint your clay crafts you can use acrylic paint, tempera, watercolors, markers, etc. You may want to use a primer before applying paint, for example, gesso (no need if you use acrylic paint). Read this article by Susie Benes for more information on why and how to prime air dry clay crafts.

With a smooth texture that’s easy to knead and shape, Jovi’s Air Dry Modeling Clay is a high-quality, affordable choice for crafting. What’s more, the odorless, nontoxic modeling clay is made of natural ingredients, free of allergens and gluten (a consideration for those with sensitivities), and Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)–certified. Sealing your dried project with a varnish won’t make it waterproof, it won’t hold water, so if you want to make a functional vase, or pot make sure you sculpt it around a plastic, metal, or glass container. When it dries, air-dry clay is porous. It is not intended to be used outdoors or to make functional kitchen objects. Finished projects should be kept inside and away from water and moisture to prevent warping and maintain strength.

DAS modeling clay is not suitable for filling molds. Heat won’t make it more fluid, putting it into the oven could make it cure faster, but won’t change its consistency. Dried DAS clay creations are safe for sanding. You can achieve fantastic smooth and polished finishes.

As a whole, air dry clay can be dried faster by placing it in the sun. Simply protect the clay from direct sun by placing a protective sheet of parchment paper above it and don´t place the clay on a metal surface. Turn the clay every 10 minutes to ensure that it dries evenly. Keep at a distance of at least 3 inches to avoid heating up one area of the clay too much and too fast. You can even press air-drying clay into silicone molds to create custom air dry clay mold crafts like clay magnets. Eager to start creating with air-dry clay but still want more information? Consider these answers to common questions about this type of crafting clay. Q: Is air-dry clay suitable for making cookware?If you plan to use air dry clay on the pottery wheel, read this cool post by Pottery Crafters for recommendations. They’ve tested 3 air drying clay brands to find the one that’s best for molding on the wheel. You can make almost anything using DAS clay. I’ll share the ones I’ve made and shared on my blog using white, stone, or both clays.

To dry air dry clay in an oven place the finished clay on a baking tray that is covered with parchment paper and put it in the oven. Then heat the oven to 200°F and leave the clay in there for 15 to 20 minutes. Then turn off the oven and take the clay out once everything has cooled down. Read more about it in my other article ‘ Can you make a mug out of air dry clay?’. DAS Modeling Clay Ideas The good news is that epoxy clay is quite solid when it dries, so it’s a good choice for jewelry, ornaments, and other objects that people handle. Depending on the brand, epoxy air-dry clay may be called waterproof because of the strength of the chemical bond, but it’s best to err on the side of caution and put plastic liners inside pottery used as a vase. What to Consider When Choosing the Best Air-Dry ClayAll of the air dry clay ideas below will help even absolute beginners create something beautiful without spending hours struggling through some complicated step by step process. Which Type Of Air Dry Clay Is Best For Crafts?

You can make anything from jewelry, figurines, and masks with this medium making air dry clay a great choice for kids and adults alike. In my opinion, the best paint for air drying clays is acrylics. They cover the painted area well, without prepping the craft first. I’ll break up this post into two major sections. In the first one, I’ll share my experiences with the clay, and in the second one, I’ll answer a couple of frequently asked questions (modeling, sculpting, drying, coloring, etc.). DIY Embossed Air Dry Clay Paper Weights (Via Gathering Beauty) Air Dry Clay Ideas: Decorative Items I’ve been using white DAS clay for years, but I was curious what was the difference in the DAS Stone clay? Is it stronger? Does it have a different feel or consistency?Constantly move the hair dryer all over the clay so that you heat the sculpture up as evenly as possible. You can easily paint DAS stone clay, like any other air drying clay, with acrylics, tempera, or watercolors. If you’re looking for a bright color, add a layer of white paint first to make the colors pop. If manipulating the clay doesn’t work you can also try to rehydrate your air dry clay by reintroducing moisture to your dried out clays using a plastic bag and a spray bottle.