Written by Kat Hodgins | Published 7:45 AM, December 3, 2020

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Crafts and useful objects made of clay usually require "fired" in a kiln (a type of high-temperature oven) to increase the durability of pottery, ceramic tiles and sculptures. Fortunately, air-dried clay is a solution for artisans who cannot enter the kiln because it naturally dries and hardens at room temperature, usually within 24 hours.

Those familiar with traditional clay can apply many of the same techniques to air-dried clay, such as curling, carving, board building, scribing, and welding. Some varieties can even be used on pottery wheels. Different types of air-dried clay are more suitable for specific handicraft projects, so please use this guide to understand which types are suitable for your artistic vision and why the following products are considered the best.

Clay is a kind of production medium with several different sub-types, including paper-based, earthen-made and epoxy resin two-part mixed base. Choosing the right type of clay depends on the user's material preferences and the details of the project. Each air-dried clay has different composition, texture, drying time and strength after hardening.

Paper-based clay starts with a clay body, such as terracotta or pottery, and then adds processed paper (or other cellulose fibers). This paper reduces the weight of the project, improves the connection capacity (the paper fibers are woven together), and reduces warpage-all assets used for engraving and many other projects. Another benefit: In order to change the project, the paper-based clay can be connected dry to dry and wet to dry. Paper fibers increase the firmness of the sculpture while minimizing shrinkage during drying.

Earthy clay is the most common type of clay. It is made of natural clay containing iron and other minerals, which come from the ground soil and the animals and plants in it. These fine-grained soils become flexible when wet, forming non-toxic clays. Earthen clay may be more viscous than other varieties, but it is easy to process and shape with hands and carving tools. This clay is similar to low-temperature kiln-fired soil, but it is not as durable; it is very suitable for sculpture and other "see but don't touch" projects.

Epoxy clay acts as (1) resin and (2) hardener, and must be thoroughly mixed to set and dry properly. After mixing, the epoxy clay dries quickly; the clay takes up to two hours to harden. Once the two-part compound is dry, the user cannot make changes to the structure of the work. The good news is that epoxy clay is very strong when dried, so it is a good choice for jewelry, decorations, and other items that people handle. Depending on the brand, epoxy air-dried clay may be called waterproof due to the strength of the chemical bonds, but it is best to proceed with caution and put the plastic liner in the pottery used as the vase.

Quality and durability depend on the type and brand of air-dried clay, but the project should largely determine the choice. consider:

Understanding the following factors and characteristics of air-dried clay will help to choose a suitable clay product.

Although air-dried epoxy clay hardens best (and fastest)—it becomes hard enough to drill holes in it without cracking—but other air-dried clays can be fragile and crack easily. There are several ways to strengthen air-dried clay and prevent cracks:

Different types of clay have different textures, but usually air-dried clay is softer than traditional clay. The earthen clay may feel a bit sticky and hard right after it is taken out of the packaging, but molding it should soften it and make it easier to use. Air-dried clay may produce a rougher texture when dried, but you can first sand the smoother surface with medium-sized sandpaper (60-120 grit) to obtain rougher points, and then refine it to fine (160-240 grit) or Ultra-fine (400-800 grit) for polishing. The paper-based air-dried clay has a fluffy and light texture, but there may be some stray paper/cellulose fibers that need to be smoothed with sandpaper.

Earthen clay usually has only natural tones, such as white, gray, beige, and black. Epoxy clay has a variety of bright colors, combined with colored clay can create more tones. After hardening, the air-dried clay can be painted; choose acrylic paint to increase strength without warping. Hardened clay can also be reinforced by bonding ornaments such as decorative buttons or beads.

Many air-dried clays are easy to use in packaging because of their softer design. Earthen clay is an exception. They are usually harder when new, and it takes a few minutes for the user's hands to feel warm to become malleable. Many types of air-dried clay are no longer usable once they are dried, so for projects that take a few days, choose earthen clay, cover the work in progress with a wet towel between sessions to keep it in a usable state, and use a little Rub with water to restore ductility.

Air-dried clay can stick firmly to a variety of materials, including plastic, wood, glass, and metal; some even stick to cardboard. The air-dried clay adhered well to the skeleton, which also provided support for the project.

To add or attach air-dried clay blocks, draw lines on the two attachment points and use a small wire brush or needle to draw hatch marks. When connected together, the scoring gives these parts a better adhesion surface, thus minimizing the risk of cracking or breaking of the accessory after drying.

After the clay is completely dry, use acrylic paint to decorate the piece. However, avoid applying paint on it; it is best to apply two thin coats, allowing drying time between the two to help maintain structural integrity. After painting, sealing products such as Mod Podge (an all-in-one glue, sealant and finish commonly used for paper cutting), varnish or acrylic sealant can further protect the project.

To prevent unused clay from solidifying and becoming unusable, try to maintain the humidity level when it is taken out of the package and store it in a sealed plastic bag for storage. To help protect the life of the finished product, please apply a coat of Mod Podge or acrylic paint for sealing.

Air-dried clay begins to dry as soon as it is exposed to the air. In general, air-dried clay requires at least 24 hours (up to a week for some projects) to completely dry, although epoxy clay can harden faster and dry within a few hours. Drying slowly and evenly is the best way to avoid cracking, so if the clay dries too fast, cover the top loosely with a plastic cover to slow down the evaporation of water.

The specific project will determine which type of air-dried clay is most suitable. The clays below meet the purchase precautions above and include recommendations for each type of air-dried clay.

The high-quality, crack-resistant DAS air-hardening modeling clay is ideal for beginners and skilled craftsmen. This paper clay is very flexible and has a uniform texture that can be easily shaped and created small details. It can also adhere well to the bracket or armature. The drying time is about 24 hours, but once cured, the clay (available in white and terracotta colors) should be smooth enough to paint without sanding; it works well with acrylic and tempera. In addition to handicrafts, it can also be used for small household projects, such as repairing broken pottery or adding unique design elements to lights.

Jovi's air-dried modeling clay is smooth in texture, easy to knead and shape, and is a high-quality, economical choice for making. More importantly, this odorless, non-toxic modeling clay is made of natural ingredients, free of allergens and gluten (a consideration for sensitive people), and has passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) certification.

Jovi clay is packed in airtight plastic, it is soft and ready to use right out of the box. Compared with traditional clay, it is slightly less viscous, and it can adhere to most materials, including wires, wood, and even cardboard. It is available in white and terracotta colors, does not stain, and can be completely dried in 24 to 48 hours (depending on your project). After drying, paint, varnish or cut the material to create the desired result.

Especially suitable for sculptures and molds, Creative Paperclay is a good choice for distinguishing craftsmen who don't want to lose tiny details or see their items shrink when they dry. When used with silicone molds, the clay pops out cleanly and easily. This odorless paper clay is smooth to the touch, not too sticky, and easy to shape manually or using craft tools.

Creative Paperclay is white and can be painted well. It can easily adhere to the skeleton and most canvases without glue. Although the drying time depends on the scope of the project and the thickness of the clay, it usually dries completely overnight. The result is light and strong, and users can sand and paint.

One of the benefits of air-dried clay is that it is suitable for long-term projects, and this Craft Smart product is a reliable choice for ongoing modeling, sculpting and pottery works. Just add a little water to soften the clay and continue creating. Unlike other air-dried clays, this natural clay is strong enough to be used on pottery wheels, making it suitable for decorating bowls and vases.

This 100% natural, non-toxic clay contains no chemical stabilizers or additives, so its composition does emit a slight odor. The clay is available in gray, terracotta and white, and can be painted after drying. After drying, this material is very fragile, but it can be strengthened by adding a layer of shellac to the finished product.

For crafts that require a lot of strength, this Apoxie Sculpt clay is a (literally) solid choice. It has two containers; the two compounds are mixed in equal amounts to make putty-like carving clay with epoxy resin effect. If mixed properly, it will produce a smooth, easy-to-use clay that can stick to most surfaces.

The chemical compound nature of this clay gives it a slight chemical smell, but the smoke is non-toxic. Remember that epoxy clay will become unusable in about two hours, so please think about it before you start. After about 24 hours, the piece will become hard and semi-gloss. Although it has 12 colors to choose from, users can still paint, dye, apply mica powder, and modify dry works in other ways. The strength of this clay can withstand sanding, drilling, carving and other operations without cracking or chipping.

Desire to start working with air-dried clay, but still want to learn more? Consider the answers to these common questions about this type of craft clay.

Can not. Air-dried clay is not food safe or waterproof, so it is not suitable for functional cookware.

Ordinary clay needs to be fired in a kiln or heated in an oven. Air-dried clay can be dried naturally without heating.

Polymer clay is based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and needs to be softened and baked to cure it. Air-dried clay is softer, lighter, and self-hardening than polymers.

Air-dried clay can be used to make various crafts, including sculptures, jewelry, decorations, decorative bowls or home decorations. Find inspiration for future craftsmanship through these air-dried clay projects.

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