It's a great craft for a rainy day.You can make it with your kids, then watch them play with clay for hours.Air dry clay can be painted.Try the quick version with school glue, or make it completely from scratch with baking soda and cornstarch.You can use cold porcelain clay for adult craft projects.
Step 1: Pick out your supplies.
You can make this recipe for air dry clay with ingredients you already have.Check your pantry for the following items: 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup cold water, and food coloring.
Step 2: The baking soda and cornstarch should be in the pot.
When the mixture is completely incorporated, use a spoon or whisk to stir them together.
Step 3: Put the water in it's container.
The mixture is completely smooth once you have whisked it.
Step 4: Put the food coloring in a container.
To change the dough from white to red, blue, green, orange, or any other color you want, add a few drops of food coloring.You can turn the dough into a pastel color with a few drops.Add more food coloring until you like the way it looks.
Step 5: The dough should be heated over medium heat.
Keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pot by stirring it constantly.
Step 6: The dough should be whisked until it is thick.
After about five minutes of whisking, it will form a ball.Remove the whisk from heat when it's hard to move it through the dough.
Step 7: Cool the dough.
The dough should be put in a bowl.To keep the bowl moist, cover it with a wet dishcloth and let it sit until the dough is completely cool.
Step 8: The dough needs to beKneaded until it is smooth.
As you work, pay attention to the texture.If the dough is sticky, add more cornstarch.If it's too thick, make a small amount of water.
Step 9: Put the dough in a mold and dry it.
You can make stars, fake food, dinosaurs, Christmas decorations or flowers.The sky has a limit.When you're done, put your creations on a tray to dry.The clay may take 24 to 48 hours to dry.You can paint the object when it's dry.
Step 10: You need to gather your supplies.
If you don't want to spend a lot of time putting your clay together, this recipe is a great go-to.Food coloring (gel or liquid), bowl and the following supplies are all you need.
Step 11: Put it in the bowl.
It's a good idea to start with 2 cups.You can easily add more with this simple recipe.
Step 12: Slowly, add the glue.
Add glue to the container.The mixture should end up being two parts cornstarch and one part glue.Add more glue if it's too soft.If it's too sticky, add more.
Step 13: You can color your clay.
You can add food coloring to the bowl.If you want the clay to have a richer hue, you need to add more coloring.If you want to make several colors of clay, you should separate the batches into two or more parts.
Step 14: The clay can be used.
If you want to let your imagination run wild, you can use cookie cutters or sandcastle molds.Once you're satisfied with the finished product, set it in a dry place.It is possible to paint it in a few hours.Your own air dry clay creation.
Step 15: Pick out your supplies.
Cold porcelain clay can be used for craft projects like clay candle holders, jewelry and other small sculpted items.As it dries, it shrinks up a bit.The clay will stick to your hands if you don't use extra oil and white glue.
Step 16: The bowl has ingredients in it.
The first thing to do is add the wet ingredients.When the mixture is completely smooth, stir in the cornstarch.The texture will be sticky.
Step 17: For 15 seconds, the microwave is on high.
The mixture will be hot if you remove the bowl.
Step 18: For another 15 seconds the microwave is on high.
Stir the mixture after removing the bowl.The surface should now be firm.
Step 19: For the third time, the microwave is on high.
If you want to check the mixture, remove the bowl and give it 10 or 15 more seconds.The clay should have pulled together to form a ball.If the clay is still wet, microwave it for another 15 seconds.If the clay seems dry, you've overcooked it.
Step 20: The clay should be kneaded.
After it has cooled for a few moments, oil your hands with cooking oil and knead the clay for three minutes, until it is smooth and stretchy in texture.Pull it apart to test it.When you pull off a piece, the dough forms a peak.It's overcooked if it breaks into pieces.
Step 21: It needs to be wrapped in plastic for storage.
If you're not going to use it right away, store it in plastic wrap to keep it moist.