Air Dry Clay Project

It’s Clay Time

Hands are a gettin’ dirty!

Take some time this weekend and play like a child. No rules, no restrictions, no experience necessary, just random, in-the-moment playful exploration. Choose from air dry clay (dollar store or 5 below), polymer clay (any store with crafts) or make your own from the recipe link below.

Put on your favorite music or listen to classical music as it helps the mind stay focused in the present moment. Let your hands work through the clay, kneed it, roll it, fold it, sculpt it, cut shapes… Allow the clay to communicate with you and ask it what it wants to be. (I know that sounds hippy dippy, but it works. You can say it in your head and no one will ever know). The point is to move your hands through the clay and create something, anything. The whole body will be working in unison as a mini creation comes to life. Each time you look at your finished piece, you will be reminded of the time you allowed yourself to play and create like the child you once were. You know you’re in there, just let go.

Some ideas for air dry clay or polymer clay would be a jewelry dish, a pen holder, figurines, a bowl for coins, rocks, sea glass or my favorite, “Cape May Diamonds,” (quartz crystals found on a beach in Cape May, NJ.)

Here are a few tips for working with clay. Air dry clay and polymer clay are not food or liquid safe. As far as I know, there are no safe glazes that would make air dry clay or polymer clay items food safe. It is to be used as a modeling clay for decorative items. Polymer clay can be baked in the oven to harden. Do not use a rolling pin or utensils that you use for food. Acrylic or wood rolling pins are inexpensive and found at any of the stores listed in this post. Add small amounts of water to the clay in order to smooth out bumps and finger prints. Small amounts of water are also used to thin out a thicker part and even the weight of the item.