I was questioning about polymer clay replaces and chose to try out homemade air-dry clays.
This recipe is very fast and simple to make, not to mention low-cost. There’s no requirement to bake either.
The important things that can be designed from cold porcelain clays are amazing. Its possible to shape finer details than polymer clays. Objects dry to a light-weight, stone like texture. Try it and see where your imagination takes you.
This recipe makes one silky smooth, soft cup of cold porcelain clay. Ideal for thin flowers and leaf sculptures.
Cold porcelain is not in fact made from porcelain, but it’s cheap and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
1 cup (125 grams) cornstarch or cornflour
1 cup (240 mL) white or clear glue
2 Tbsp (30 mL) infant oil or olive oil
2 Tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar
Instructions
Mix together 1 cup (125 grams) cornstarch and 1 cup (240 mL) white glue. Use a microwave safe bowl.
Image entitled Make Cold Porcelain Step 2
Mix in 2 Tbsp (30 mL) child oil and 2 Tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice. Alternatives are noted in the components area. Keep mixing until there are no swellings present.
Lemon juice is not important for consistency however is highly recommended as it prevents the development of mold.
Alternate 15-second periods in the microwave with more stirring. Microwave it for 15 seconds at a time, taking it out to stir in between. Depending on the power of your microwave, this ought to take someplace between three and 9 15-second intervals.
The mix will form clumps as it cooks. Try to stir in as many of these as possible between microwaving.
The mix is ready when it is sticky and really clumpy. This will be simpler to evaluate as soon as you see how your very first attempt ends up.
It’s better to make an undercooked batch than an overcooked one, since the former is much easier to salvage.
Put lotion on your hands and a tidy kneading surface area. This will prevent sticking. Do not hesitate to prepare the work surface area during the microwave intervals.
Knead the mix up until it cools down. Right away get rid of the hot dough-like mixture from the bowl and begin kneading it. It will generally take 10 to 15 minutes for the mix to cool to room temperature. Knead the mix for this entire period.
Wrap the mix securely and let rest 24 hours. Use cling wrap to make an airtight seal around the cold porcelain mix. Shop it in a cool, dry place for 24 hr.
You can coat the plastic wrap with lotion to avoid sticking.
To make a simple airtight wrap, shape the mix into a log and roll the plastic wrap around it. Twist each end.
The refrigerator is a fine place to store the mix, but any place out of direct sunshine, heat, and moisture is fine.
Check consistency. After a day of rest, remove the cold porcelain and see how it ended up. It must now be prepared to utilize.
Take a piece of the cold porcelain and tear it apart carefully. A well made batch will form teardrop shapes as it stretches and breaks.
If the within of the clay feels sticky, knead in additional corn starch.
If the cold porcelain is breakable or dry, it was most likely overcooked. You can try adding a bit more oil, or make an undercooked batch and knead the two together afterward.