If crafting is your passion, then air dry clay will quickly become one of your favourite mediums. The possibilities are endless, from home decor to personalised gifts. But what's the best way to start using air dry clay? In this video guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before starting your first project.
Introduction To Air Dry Clay and How To Store It
Our video series kicks off with an introduction to air dry clay, covering its properties and the variety of colours available. We also discuss how to prepare your clay for use, ensuring it’s pliable and ready for your projects. Proper storage is key to maintaining your clay’s workability. We share tips on keeping your clay from drying out so it’s ready for your next crafting session.
Air dry clay is a water-based material that hardens and cures at room temperature, eliminating the need for baking or firing in an oven or kiln. In this tutorial series, we focus on using Hearty Soft air dry clay due to its non-toxic, lightweight, and slightly flexible nature, making it an ideal choice for many craft projects. Whether you're creating delicate butterflies or substantially larger pieces, this clay adds minimal weight to your crafts, ensuring they remain light and manageable.
Air dry clay's versatility extends to its colour possibilities. While we primarily use white clay, Hearty air dry clay is available in a rainbow of colours. Later in our video series, we'll explore techniques for colouring the white clay to achieve the exact shade your project requires.
Preserving the freshness of your air dry clay is crucial for maintaining its workability. We share detailed steps on properly sealing your clay, including tips on keeping it fresh and pliable for future use. Whether it's wrapping it tightly, using a spritz of water, or storing it in airtight containers, these methods ensure your clay remains ready for your next creative session.
Whether you're blending clay colours with precision using the Katy Sue Measuring Mould, experimenting with paints and inks, or exploring the subtle shades possible with marker pens, this guide is packed with tips and tricks for crafters at all levels. Learn how to maintain the perfect consistency of your clay while achieving the exact shade you need every time.
This tutorial explores various methods to infuse vibrant hues into this versatile medium. Starting with the Hearty range of coloured clays, renowned for their rich pigmentation, we demonstrate how mixing these colours with precision yields consistent and repeatable results. This ensures your projects maintain the exact shade you desire every time.
Venturing into alternative colouring techniques, we explore the integration of paints. While these mediums offer a spectrum of colour, they alter the clay's consistency, requiring a balance between colour intensity and texture. We also experiment with ink pads and alcohol inks, highlighting their use for adding subtle tones, albeit with a warning on the challenge of achieving the desired pigmentation.
Marker pens present another colouring avenue, allowing for gradual colour build-up to achieve soft pastels or deeper shades. Each method discussed provides unique outcomes, from soft washes to intense colours, illustrating the clay's adaptability to different artistic visions.
Air Drying Clay Q&A
How do I revive clay if it's too dry? Why is my clay sticking? In this essential Q&A section, craft expert Heather Robertson has the answers to these questions and more, offering practical solutions to common issues.
We tackle common concerns that crafters encounter. From reviving partially dried clay to ensuring a smooth release from intricate moulds, these insights aim to make your clay crafting experience trouble free.
Revive drying clay: Quick sprays of water or wrapping in a damp towel can rejuvenate your clay, ensuring it remains malleable for your projects.
Use dried clay efficiently: Instead of discarding slightly dried clay, learn how to repurpose it as foam pads for card crafting or incorporate it into moulds as a filler.
Prevent clay from sticking to moulds: Adjust the clay's moisture level and use cornflour or a thin layer of fat to ensure a smooth release from even the most intricate designs.
Deal with overly wet or stretchy clay: Tips for achieving the perfect consistency, preventing stretching, and ensuring detailed pieces come out of the moulds intact.
Whether you're a beginner or someone who has faced challenges with air-dry clay and silicone moulds in the past, this segment offers valuable tips and techniques to overcome common hurdles, ensuring your next project is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Super lightweight, Hearty modelling clay is perfect for use with our range of food safe moulds to make embellishments for art & craft projects. Can be mixed with other Hearty clays to create an infinite variety of colours.
