How to Make Non-Drying Clay

Oil-based clay has a similar appearance to water-based clay.

Non-drying or non-hardening clay is ideal for kids' crafts because it is reusable and does not crack or harden, allowing the kids to finish their project. The ingredient that does not allow the clay to harden is oil or glycerin. In hardening clays, the oil is replaced by water, which makes the clay dry when in contact with air or heat. Find this clay in crafts stores labeled as oil-based clay or make non-drying clay at home.

Things You'll Need

• Mixer
• Ceramic bowl
• Clay powder
• Glycerin
• Wooden spatula
• Food colorant or natural pigments (optional)
• Talcum powder or cornstarch

Instructions

1. Prepare your ingredients. For each cup of glycerin, use two parts fine-grained clay powder.

2. Put equal parts of glycerin and clay powder in a ceramic bowl. Mix the ingredients with a wooden spatula.

3. Use a mixer to obtain a paste with the consistency of yogurt.

4. Add the remaining clay powder and mix. Use a wooden spatula to remove the clay that sticks to the walls of your bowl, and mix until you obtain a thick paste of a homogeneous consistency.

5. Remove the clay from the bowl and place it on a wooden table. Apply talcum powder or cornstarch on the table, to prevent the clay from sticking to the table.

6. Spread some cornstarch or talcum powder on your fingers and knead the clay to make it more malleable and remove air pockets. Squeeze the material between your fingers and press it against the table several times. Work the clay as if it were bread dough.

7. Store the clay in a plastic container. The container does not necessarily have to be airtight, because the clay remains soft and malleable even when in contact with air.

Tips & Warnings

• Find glycerin in drug stores. Highly concentrated glycerin makes the clay more pliable and less likely to crack.

• Clay powder comes in white or red, depending on the concentrations of the minerals that make up the clay. Both clays have similar properties when used for non-hardening clay, so buy the color that suitable for your project.

• Change the color of the clay or make clay in different colors by adding food coloring or natural pigments when mixing the ingredients. The amount of colorant you use depends on the color you want to obtain. Mix all ingredients and observe how the color of the clay changes.

• If you are interested in stop-motion films, this type of clay is also used for making claymation characters.

References

• Makeup Fx; Non Drying Water Clay; Lars Carlsson