How to Make Clay

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DIY clay is a craft that you can make to create gifts, souvenirs, and projects at school. The process of making clay requires you to put in a little effort and make use of the ingredients available at home. For softer clay that will last longer, stir the oil and water into the flour, salt, and cream of tartar. If you want a simple selection, just stir in flour, salt, and water to create a basic clay that usually dries very quickly. If you want a more “genuine” styling clay, combine cornstarch, salt, and water. To get pottery clay, you need to find soil with a high clay content near a water source or wasteland.

Table of Contents

Ingredient

Clay from flour, salt and cream of tartar

2 cups (470ml) of water
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (230g) salt
4 teaspoons (15g) cream of tartar
2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
Food coloring (optional)
Vanilla essence (optional)
Non-stick pot
Wooden spoon
Zippered plastic bag

Clay from flour and salt

4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
1.5 cups (420g) salt
1.5 cups (350ml) of water

Clay from cornmeal, salt and water

2 cups (550g) salt
2/3 cup (160ml) water
1 cup (120g) cornmeal
0.5 cup (120ml) cold water
Food coloring (optional)

Creating ceramic clay

Soils with high clay content
Water

Use flour, salt and cream of tartar

Mix all-purpose flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large saucepan. Measure out 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour and ¾ cup (230g) table salt, then place in a large non-stick pot. Next, measure out about 4 teaspoons (15g) of cream of tartar powder and add to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Add 2 cups (470ml) water and 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil. Measure out 2 cups (470ml) of room temperature water, pour into a saucepan and add 2 tablespoons (30ml) of vegetable oil. Use a wooden spoon to stir the ingredients. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Mix until dry ingredients blend into wet ingredients.

Heat the mixture over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon while it cooks. Place the pot on the stove and turn the stove to medium heat. Continuously stir the ingredients with a wooden spoon while cooking. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Do not let the clay stick to the pot wall to avoid burning. Stir continuously until the clay mixture is heated evenly.

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Stop stirring and turn off the stove when the clay becomes thick. When the ingredients are well mixed, you should see a thick mass stick to the spoon. When you see the clay become solid, turn off the heat and transfer the pot to the cold side. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Be careful because the pot and clay are both hot. Don’t let yourself burn!

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Place the clay on the parchment paper for 1-2 minutes to let the clay cool down. Use a wooden spoon to remove the clay block from the pot. Place the clay block on the parchment paper for about 2 minutes to let the clay cool down. Next, check with your fingertips to see if the clay is warm enough to the touch. Treat only when the clay is at room temperature. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

The clay will be very hot when it is first removed from the pot. Do not touch the clay as you may burn your hands.

Knead the clay at room temperature until soft and smooth. Press and press the clay with your hands to push the air bubbles out, changing the texture and eliminating lumps. Continue working until you feel the clay soft and supple. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

You can also throw clay on the counter to remove any remaining air bubbles. This way, your clay will retain moisture longer.

Color the clay with 5-6 drops of food coloring if you like. Put the clay in a zippered plastic bag, and then add 5-6 drops of food coloring to the bag. Close the bag and knead the clay between your hands until the clay is evenly colored. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

If you want the clay to smell nice, you can add a few drops of vanilla.

Combine flour and salt

Mix 4 cups (480g) of flour with 1.5 cups (420g) of salt in a large bowl. Place both dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and then use a large plastic or wooden spoon to mix the ingredients well. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Make sure the flour and salt are well mixed before adding the water as it will be difficult to mix the ingredients well as the dough gradually turns into clay.

Slowly add 1.5 cups (350ml) of water while mixing. Add small amounts of water to the bowl one at a time and mix the dough after adding water. Try to mix the mixture well before adding water. When you pour all the water into the bowl, the clay also becomes solid. ^{[11] X Research Source}

The flour mixture will be harder to mix each time you add water.

Knead until the clay becomes uniform. Remove the clay from the bowl and place it on a flat surface like a kitchen counter, then press and pull with your hands until the clay has an even texture. ^{[12] X Research Source}

You can also throw clay on the counter top to remove any remaining air bubbles. This is how to prolong the shelf life of clay.

Squeeze the clay to your liking. Now that the clay making process is complete, you can mold the clay into any shape, create decorations or simply play with the clay. Use clay the same way you would use commercially available clay. ^{[13] X Research Source}

This clay is suitable for making souvenirs. For example, you can press a small child’s hand or foot into the clay until there is a visible mark, then wait for the clay to harden to create a gift.

Tip: Use cookie cutters or a cup to shape if you like. First, you will flatten the clay with a rolling pin. Next, cut the clay into shapes using a cookie cutter or use a cup to create decorative circles. If you want to hang shapes out of clay for decoration, use a straw or toothpick to poke a hole near the top edge of each shape.

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Dry the clay for about 2 days to preserve the finished product. If you want to create a model or souvenir, you need to dry the clay. This type of clay spoils very quickly and the best solution is to not touch the clay for at least 2 days to let it dry completely. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Alternatively: If you want to shorten the drying time, bake the clay at 100°C for about 3 hours. If the clay is still soft after 3 hours, you continue to put the clay in the oven and bake for another 2 hours.

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Store clay in an airtight container when not in use. You can store the clay for several weeks by storing it in an airtight container. Remember to put the clay in an airtight container every time you’re not using it, as the clay will dry out when left in the air. ^{[15] X Research Source}

For example, you can use a zippered plastic bag or a box with a tight-fitting lid. To extend the shelf life, you should put the clay in the refrigerator.

Mix cornstarch, salt and water

Boil ⅔ cup (160ml) of water and 2 cups (550g) of salt for about 4 minutes. Pour the water into a small saucepan, then stir in the salt to get a smooth mixture. Place the pot on the stove and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Stir the mixture while it cooks to avoid burning. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Use a pot lifter or towel when moving the pot to avoid burns.

Alternatively: If you want to microwave the mixture, you can warm it up in 30-second increments until it feels hot to the touch. However, do not heat the mixture in the microwave for longer than 2 minutes.

Place the pot on a cool surface, then add 1 cup (120g) of cornstarch and 0.5 cup (120ml) of cold water. You will remove the pot from the heat and then add the cornstarch and cold water. Use a plastic or wooden spoon to stir the mixture. ^{[17] X Research Source}

You will find it difficult to stir as the mixture is gradually thickening.

Knead the mixture until smooth. Place the clay on a flat surface, such as a kitchen counter, and then press and pull with your hands until the clay becomes a smooth mass. The clay should now have a supple feel. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

While kneading the clay, it is better to throw the clay on the counter surface to remove air bubbles.

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Add a few drops of food coloring if you want the clay to be colored. Add a few drops of food coloring to the clay, then knead it so that the color adheres to the clay. Continue adding food coloring until the clay is the color you want. ^{[19] X Research Source}

If you like, you can add glitter to give the clay some sparkle.

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Heat the mixture until you feel thick, if needed. Put the clay in a pot and cook over medium heat. Stir the clay while it cooks so it doesn’t stick to the pot and burn. Remove the pot from the heat when the clay has a texture you like. ^{[20] X Research Source}

You can skip this step if you are satisfied with your clay.

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Wait for the clay to cool down to room temperature before using. Do not touch clay that is still hot as you may get burned. Instead, place the clay on a baking tray or kitchen counter to let it cool down. The clay is ready to use when it is only slightly warm. ^{[21] X Research Source}

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Allow the clay to dry for about 2 days if you want to keep the finished product. You can play with clay or make shapes. If you’re creating a model or souvenir, you’ll need to dry the finished product to keep it. In this case, you will place the clay outside to dry. ^{[22] X Research Source}

Make sure you don’t touch the clay for at least 2 days so as not to damage the finished product.

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Store clay in an airtight container when not in use. Your clay will dry out in the air, so it’s important to store it after use. You can keep the clay for about 2 weeks if you always keep it in an airtight container. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

Zippered plastic bags or boxes with tight-fitting lids are the most suitable containers for clay storage.