Playing With Clay

This weekend I took some time out to play with clay. Every other month or so I get some craft materials from Panduro Hobby and this time around instead of just sending some random package they asked what I’d be interested in trying out which was really nice.

 

I’ve been dying to try some clay crafts for a while so I  requested some of their white air drying clay. They ended up sending me two types, one that feels like regular clay and which isn’t pure white but more of an off white and a light weight clay that’s really white. I also got some stamps and some cutters.

 

I decided I’d try something easy first (and maybe I’ll move on to some more advanced clay crafts later) and made some ornaments. I think I might use some for a mobile (in lieu of this mess) and some as Christmas ornaments.

First I tried the regular, slightly off white clay. I used the circle cutters to cut my shapes and used one of the stamps to create an overlapping heart design on one and then used one of the wood blocks I bought a while ago to imprint a pattern on the other.  I also made some other designs which you can see further down. After each one was done I used the end of a skewer to make holes for hanging.

 

 

Then I went on to the white light weight clay and I have to say I preferred this one. One, because it’s really white and two, because it was so easy to handle and soft like a baby’s bottom. I dug out some of my cookie cutters and cut a bunch of leaves, shrooms and acorns.

 

Here you can see the two types of clays next to each other. I’m kind of hoping that the regular clay will dry whiter than it is now but I’m not holding my breath.

 

I can’t show you the final results hanging anywhere just yet as the clay has a drying time of 1-3 days depending on the type and I guess the thickness of the craft. My creations are all quite thin so I’m hoping to be able to handle them within a day or so. Will show you how everything turns out a little later!

All in all a fun and easy craft. Perfect to do with kids actually.

Comments

[Catherine]

I love simple clay ornaments. I made some a couple of years ago that I was really happy with. That reminds me to try some homemade clay with the kids. Can't wait to see how yours are finished up.

[Robyn]

I love air drying clay! So simple, so easy. I also used different Christmas themed cookie cutters to make tags which I then wrote on with a Sharpie and used them as gift tags! There are some around the house - bedroom wardrobe drawer for eg - just hanging by a bit of twine. They're also great as gifts themselves. Last year I had an Aussie themed Christmas tree and used kangaroo and Australia shaped cookie cutters to make tree decorations. You can see it here: http://www.outofours.com/2011/12/at-last-aussie-christmas-tree.html

[Carlos]

Cute tree!

[Leena]

Can you paint the gray clay later? You still have those martha paints that stick to anything?

[Carlos]

Yes, you can paint it but my idea here was to make them all white so I don't think I will :).

[Hometipster.com]

I really love this idea. Christmas is just around the corner and these would make for wonderful Christmas decorations. Thanks for some brilliant ideas.

[Katja/ Neovia house]

Looks like a lot of fun - and perfect to do with kids :)

[Nicola]

Really inspired to try this. Thanks, Benita! (And - just in case anyone else is looking - I've found a great selection of cookie cutters on Etsy) x

[Annie]

Åh! Vilken bra idé för barnen. Måste medge att jag har svårt med stöket när man pysslar med en två-åring. Men detta kan ju vara kul även för mig. Måste prova! Vet du om det går att limma på den lätta, vita leran? Tex sätta på bokmärken, glitter, fjädrar, silkespapper, flörtkulor? Blev supersugen på julpyssel nu!

[Carlos]

Jag vet faktiskt inte och har inte testat själv men har skickat frågan vidare till Helene på Panduro. Återkommer med svar när jag vet!

[Carlos]

Helene på Panduro svarar att det det går bra. Hon brukar använda Panokit Quick eftersom det torkar så snabbt http://www.pandurohobby.se/Katalog/20-Mala-Rita/2070-Lim/207015-Allroundlim/1/220509-Panokitt-Quick-lim-120-ml

[Zosia]

Looking forward to the end result. I especially like the man and the woman cut outs. Are these from a cookie cutter as well? I'd go for the white clay as well.

[Carlos]

They are vintage cookie cutters that I got from Martin's aunt ages ago. I love them too!

[devil]

My favorite are the man and the lady. I'd be tempted to use Sharpies on them. :)

[Vanessa (The VMCA)]

Oh, when I get to Sweden, Panduro Hobby and I have a date! White clay? Be still my 'all-white-Christmas' heart! The fact that it's an air drying claying too? Totally craft-love-at-first-sight!

Clicking your link in 3...2...1

[M.E.]

Excellent idea!!

[Figs&Rosemary]

I love the way the white-not-white round clay with the holes pattern looks! So pretty- was it in the panduro kit or did you have it before?
BTw, love the blog- it's my favorite everyday:)
Keep up the great work and cheers!

[Lisa Flaherty]

Darling! My teen loves that air dry clay, too-the whiteness, the lightness, the ease of use. She makes a lot of props and costumes and it is perfect. Your ornaments will be so cute, can't wait to see the finished pieces. And your cookie cutters, all of them, a divine collection!

[julia [lifeonchurchill]]

I love these! Excited to begin the Christmas season.

[Sophie]

Wow they look great, good idea for Christmas. Looking back at your previous plastic clouds, that were shrugging, maybe you could prevent that by adding on top of them dry beans...I add beans in pie crusts when cooking them in the oven to prevent them being wobbly, so maybe it would work with the plastic, if ever you whish to give it a third chance :-)

[Carlos]

I got the circle cutters from Panduro :).

[Sarah Stäbler]

Oooh I love this idea! Clay Christmas ornaments sound great! And it would be a cute way to make gift tags as well!

[Jennica]

Så otroligt fina! Och vad smart med lera som torkar utan att behöva vara i ugn! För ett par år sedan gjorde jag hjärtan i Fimolera, som skulle vara i ugnen. Det blev jättefina hjärtan som jag stansade av pepparkaksformar och så stämplade jag "God Jul" och hade i ett hampasnöra. Fint att hänga i granen, på en julklapp eller runt en vin- eller glöggflaska!
Kram Jennica

[adesigndiary]

Benita I LOVED your post..I have been planning to make all my gift tags for Christmas this year from clay and stamp them with some wood blocks I bought from the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. I am now so inspired after seeing your lovely work that I will get on to it right away...thanks for sharing!
Julie

[David W.]

WOW! I love your ideas.

The Christmas ornaments and the mobile idea really rock.

Thanks for the inspiration Benita.

[kv barn]

fun!

[Mickey@EuroAmerican Home]

I didn't know there was a type of clay out there that doesn't need baking. Are you planning on painting the little figurines? I wonder how the paint sticks to it.

[Mickey@EuroAmerican Home]

Oh,ok, nevermind. I just saw in the comments that you're not painting them. Serves me right for being late to the party.

[Benedikte]

Hi! Was inspired by your crafts and tried making heartshaped ornaments for the tree out of the light weught clay (the package said it was made of paper). Turned out fairly nice - pressed some coarse lace onto it to get a pattern and used cookiecutters to make the hears. My question is though - how come yours are completely flat after drying? Mine got a bit "wobbly"/wavy. I tried turning them over and flattening them regularly while drying but my result looks far more "hand made" than yours.

[Carlos]

I did actually weigh them down with books a little . Not all the time because the clay wouldn't dry then but for while several times during the process. I realise I might have forgotten to mention that. Sorry...

[Julie]

I really love these. Can you please tell me what did you use to make the perfect tiny holes for stringing? So much smaller than a drinking straw---my tool when making cookie ornaments.

[Carlos]

I used the end of a skewer!