Air dry clay is a soft modelling material that hardens when it’s exposed to air. That means that you don’t need to put it in an oven (like you would with polymer clay) or a kiln (like for pottery clay).
Because you don’t need heat to use air dry clay, it’s a great material for beginner crafters or children to use.
In this guide, we look at what air dry clay is, what you can make with it, and what types of people may enjoy using it.
What is Air Dry Clay?
Air dry clay is a variety of clay that dries at room temperature by itself. It doesn’t need an oven or kiln to harden it, as polymer and pottery clay respectively do.
How Does Air Dry Clay Work?
Air dry clay hardens as the moisture evaporates, leaving the clay. The drying time of a clay piece can depend on:
- How thick the piece is.
- The brand of clay.
- The room temperature.
- Airflow.
- Humidity.
This means that small or thin pieces can dry out within a day, whereas thicker or big projects make take several days. It’s important that you don’t attempt to paint or seal your clay piece until it’s fully dry.
What Can You Make With Air Dry Clay?
Some project ideas for air dry clay are:
- Ornaments
- Small sculptures
- Beads
- Wall hangings
- Candle plates
- Fridge magnets
- Simple jewellery pieces
Is Air Dry Clay Good For Beginners?
Yes, air dry clay is a great option for those new to using clay, as it doesn’t need special equipment or a heat source to harden it.
You can buy this type of clay quite cheaply, and can shape projects by hand. It’s also quite easy to fix any mistakes by using water to smooth them over.
What Do You Need to Start?
Beginners may need:
- Air dry clay
- A rolling pin or bottle
- A craft knife or other clay tools
- A small bowl of water
- Sandpaper for smoothing edges
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrushes
- Sealant or varnish
- A tray or board to work on.
Does Air Dry Clay Need Baking?
No, it doesn’t need baking, which is the main difference between air dry and polymer clay. Air dry hardens as the water in it evaporates into the air.
Is Air Dry Clay Waterproof?
No, this type of clay is not waterproof. Once it is dry, it can be painted and sealed, but it’s best used for decorative items only. Air dry clay is not suitable for making pottery for functional use, such as for mugs or bowls.
Air Dry Clay vs Polymer Clay
Air dry clay dries naturally without needing an oven is a suitable for home crafts and decorations.
Polymer clay is the type of clay that needs to bake to harden, and can be used to make jewellery, charms, and miniatures.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Usual pitfalls include:
- Making pieces that are too thick
- Painting before the clay is dry
- Not sealing your finished projects
- Using too much water
- Leaving your unused clay uncovered (it will harden!)
- Making delicate things too thin
- Expecting it to behave just like pottery clay would
How to Store Polymer Clay
As air dry clay dries out when it’s exposed to the air (hence the name), it needs to be stored carefully, properly sealed.
Your options include:
- Storing it in the original packaging.
- Wrapping it in plastic very tightly.
- Placing it in an airtight container.
Also make sure to store your clay away from heat sources and to only take what you need each time. Don’t expose clay to the air unnecessarily.
Some Final Thoughts
Air dry clay is a type of modelling clay that dries out when exposed to the air. It doesn’t need to be baked in an oven or heated in a kiln, so it’s an easy hobby for beginners to try at home.
Keep first projects simple and make sure to let your item dry before you attempt to paint and seal it.