How to Make a Clay Ashtray

Things You’ll Need

• 5 cups white flour

• 2 1/2 cups iodized salt

• 2 1/2 cups water

• Plastic bowl

• Oven

• Ungreased cookie sheet

• Measuring spoons

• Food coloring (desired color)

• Unsharpened pencil

Purchasing ashtrays from stores can be quite pricey for an object that holds cigarette butts. You can create your own ashtrays from homemade clay by using ingredients and materials that you already might have in your home. These clay ashtrays are less expensive than purchasing ashtrays and can be used within a matter of hours.

Creating the Baker’s Clay

Step 1

Mix together flour and salt in a medium-sized bowl.

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Step 2

Add water into the mixture very slowly, mixing as you pour.

Step 3

Add a couple of drops of food coloring to achieve the desired color.

Step 4

Knead the dough. If it crumbles as you knead it, slowly add more water until it is smooth. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes.

Molding Your Ashtray

Step 1

Roll your clay into a medium-sized ball. The ball should be about the size of your hand from wrist to fingertips. Put aside any leftover clay or refrigerate it to use for a later project.

Step 2

Press your thumb in the center of the clay ball about halfway down. Do not poke all the way through.

Step 3

Begin pinching the clay around the indent you created with your thumb. Spin the ball of clay around as you pinch to get all sides.

Step 4

Continue pinching until the clay ball begins to spread out and stands about two inches high and the edges are about 1/2 inch thick.

Step 5

Use an unsharpened pencil to press four indentations on the sides of the clay ashtray. These indentations will be used to hold cigarettes.

Baking the Clay Ashtray

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Place the clay ashtray in the center of an ungreased cookie sheet.

Step 3

Put the cookie sheet into the oven on the middle of the center rack.

Step 4

Bake in the oven for about an hour or until the ashtray has hardened and slightly darkened.

Step 5

Remove the clay ashtray from the oven and allow to cool. Once it has cooled, you may begin using it.

Tip

Wash your hands with mild hand soap to remove food coloring from your fingers and hands to avoid unwanted marks on the ashtray after it has finished baking.