Do you enjoy crafting, but you don’t have that much patience waiting for the paint or glue to dry? Then check out our list of what to make out of air dry clay and craft ideas.
This material is a highly customizable and fun crafting item that you can use to make a variety of projects. Air-dry clay is an excellent crafting medium for both kids and adults!
With this medium, you can create anything from jewelry to figurines and masks, making this clay an excellent choice for both young and old.
The best thing about air-dry clay is that it can be dried without the need of baking in an oven, as traditional clays do. As a result, no special equipment is required.
It is ideal for after-school activities and rainy-day with children. It is also a customizable and an enjoyable crafting medium to work with. Let’s take a look at some things you can do with air dry clay!
What Is Air-dry Clay?
Air dry clay is a popular and reasonably priced option for both large and small art projects. It can be an excellent way for budding artists or craftsperson’s to develop their skills, and even experienced artists appreciate the ease of use of air-drying clay. It can be used to create ornaments, jewelry, and other crafts. Best of all, with this type of clay you don’t need an oven or furnace to produce a beautiful, one-of-a-kind product. After 24 hours, the clay is usually dry. The thicker the clay, the longer it will take to dry completely. It can take up to 72 hours.
What to look for in your air-dry clay
There are a lot of air-dry clay brands on the market. The best one for your little projects is one that is capable of holding its shape after drying. This is important as some brands will meld down by the weight of the project or have a difficult time molding to a desired shape.
Polymer is an excellent choice for these crafts if you intend to do some sculpting. Polymer air-dry clays, in particular, have a better hold on their shape, making them a wiser option for adult projects.
Are These Projects Easy for Amateurs?
Air-dry clay crafts are an amazing option because they are easy to make and don’t require any kind of training or buying of different tools. Honestly, it’s kind of like playdough but permanent! You get to play with your hands, get a little messy, and make something that is unique to you. Anyone can make something out of clay, even kids!
In fact, since the majority of these clay brands are free of harsh chemicals and additives, it’s often preferred by families in comparison to other clay products.
Can Kids Create Air-Dry Clay Crafts?
Children can absolutely engage in an afternoon of molding out of clay. This allows the kids a chance to use their imagination and enhance their fine motor skills. On top of this, air dry clay is great for kids for the following reasons:
- Craft ideas do not require the purchase of additional equipment and you can buy and use non-toxic materials.
- Clay crafts are an excellent last-minute screen-free activity. Most clay craft ideas necessitate only minimal adult supervision.
- Clay craft projects can be done at home, at a park, at a friend’s house, anywhere!
What to Make Out of Air Dry Clay – Crafts and Projects
Seeing as there are dozens of crafts you could make with clay, it felt necessary to break all of your options down you. This way, you can see all of the options!
Air-dry Clay Ideas:
Planters & Pots
- Succulent Planters
- Petal Planter
- Clay Succulent Pots
- Terrazzo Clay Planter
Bracelets Earrings, & Necklaces
- Terracotta Earrings
- Clay Beads
- Feather Earrings
- Botanical Clay Necklaces
- Geometric Clay Pendant
Desk Items
- Rainbow Crayon Holder
- DIY Embossed Clay Paper Weights
- Cell Phone Stand Project
- Clay Photo Holder
Decorative Ornaments
- Sloth Planter
- DIY Garden Gnomes
- Clay Cones
Plates
- Clay Ring Dish
- Mosaic Pinch Pots Drawer Organizing Trays and Bowls
- DIY Clay Bowls
Keychains
- Clay Leaf Stamped Key Chains
- Keychains
- Gold Dipped Clay Heart Keychain
- Essential Oil Necklace
Air-dry Crafts: Frequently Asked Questions
What Kinds of Things Can I Create with Air-Dry Clay?
By using shaping tools or your hands, you can shape the clay into a variety of sizes and shapes. Put your imagination to work and the sky is the limit.
You can use air-dry clay for:
- Statues
- Keychains
- Magnets
- Figurines
- Plates
- Statues
- Jewelry
- Ornaments
- Sculptures
- Cups
- Vases
- Beads
- Gems
- Bowls
- Planters
After completely air-drying, you can paint these clay ideas with acrylic paints to give your crafts a stunning appearance that really pops!
Air-drying clay can also be pressed into silicone formworks to create custom mold crafts such as clay magnets.
Since there are no boundaries to what you want to create with air-drying clays, they are used in different ways.
Is It Possible to Put Water in Air-Dry Clay?
Water can be added to this type of clay, but it should not be done frequently. Due to the porous nature of this type of clay, adding water will almost certainly cause it to crumble. As a result, water should be used with caution.
When using air-dry clays for your little projects, adding a few drops of water can be beneficial because water helps the clay to keep its shape. However, this should be done sparingly and should not be done one the clay has fully dried.
You can get the best results for your clay projects and ideas by following these air-drying clay tips.
Is Air-dry Clay Sturdy?
Air-dry clays are extremely long-lasting. Just as clay would dry in an oven, this clay will achieve the same, sturdy results. You’ll want to be sure your project is drying on a flat, elevated surface where it won’t be disturbed as it dries.
Is It Possible to Paint Air-Dry Clay Before It Has Dried?
Allow your air-dry clay ideas to completely dry before painting to achieve a more professional-looking finished product. Whereas you can paint them while the clay is wet, it’s possible that you’ll end up with a warped product at the end of the drying period.
What Paint Can I Get to Decorate My Clay Crafts?
When you want to paint air-dry clays, use water-based acrylics rather than oil-based paints. Oil based paints have a tendency to not stick to these clay materials. Acrylic paint will do the trick and still provide a glass-like finish!
Does Air-Dry Clay Need to be Sealed?
You can seal your air-dry clay project with acrylic sealing spray after it has hardened and dried.
Doing this will increase the durability of the finished pieces if they are exposed to water. Using a sealant will also secure any paint job you’ve done, allowing your final results to last longer!
How Do You Prevent Air-Dry Clay from Cracking?
Dry your work on a very clean and flat surface, designed for this kind of clay in order to avoid the warp. Keep your clay at normal temperature and away from hot lights, as heat can damage your work. You’ll also want to avoid using water if you can as water leads to cracking as it evaporates while the product is drying.
Is It Possible to Rehydrate Air Dry Clay?
If you’ve created something that has been set out to dry for 24 hours, no you cannot rehydrate the clay. The clay at this point has fully hardened.
However, if you’ve just let your clay sit out a little too long while you cooked dinner, then yes!
The simplest way to rehydrate dried-out clay is to manipulate it in your hands. The moisture and warmth of your own hands can sometimes aid in softening and improving the texture of the clay.
If this does not work, you can try rehydrating your air-dry clay by bringing back moisture to your dried-out clays using a spray bottle and a plastic bag.
Put 1-2 sprays of water on your dried-out air-dry clay in a sealed bag. After sealing the bag, set it aside for 30 minutes. In your hands, feel the texture of the clay.
How Do You Repair Cracks in Air-Dried Clay?
Don’t be upset if you notice some flaws in your work. This is normal and occurs with a lot of clay projects because it shrinks as it dries. You can correct this by performing the following steps:
- Let the clay completely dry.
- Once dry, make a wet clay mixture (using the same one you’re working with) and fill in the cracks.
- After you’ve filled all of the openings, allow the clay to get dry again.
Can You Use Air-Dry Clay with Candles?
We recommend using a battery-operated tea light for any projects that call for a candle because the heat from candles can cause this clay to become prone to cracking. There are even fake candles with a flickering setting to make them look more realistic!
Can Air-Dry Clay Be Used Outside?
No, it cannot be used for outdoor clay items because it is not waterproof. Using acrylic paint or applying a sealer to the clay may make it more suitable for outdoor clay pieces, but it isn’t recommended.
Tips
- To avoid deformation, keep your clay creations and ideas drying in well-ventilated areas.
- When using wet/dry products for art projects, add a bit of water, as too much water will cause twisting.
- Because oil-based paint can harm porous materials, acrylic paints should always be used instead of oil-based paints.
- Allow your clay creations to dry entirely before removing them from their molds.
Conclusion
So, if you want a long-lasting sculpting piece made of the best and non-toxic materials, this clay is the way to go. The quality and durability of the clay can vary depending on the brand you choose. However, it is generally recommended that you read and follow the instructions included in the packet. Not all air-dry clay is manufactured in the most efficient manner.
Reading customer reviews is the most effective way to find a dependable product. Furthermore, you must be sure that the brand that you’re going to choose is toxin-free and safe for children to use!
Hope our post helped you with some ideas on what to make out of air dry clay. Have fun sculpting!