How to Harden Modeling Clay

Once you create something out of modeling clay, you might want to save it! Follow a few steps to guide you in hardening the clay, so you can move on with your project.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Modeling clay
• Oven

1. Identify specifically what kind of clay you are working with.

2. Bake your creation if your clay is polymer clay (such as Fimo). Preheat your oven to a very low heat, such as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the clay object on a wax paper lined cookie sheet, and put the cookie sheet in the oven for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the object.

3. Bake oven-hardening clay longer. You will need to bake the clay object as described above, although at approximately one hour in a 350 degree oven.

4. Use a kiln if you are using a traditional kind of fine art clay. Let your piece air dry for a week or so and then carefully transport it to wherever you have access to a kiln.

5. Wait patiently if you have self-hardening clay. Self hardening clay dries best at room temperature over about a week.

Tips & Warnings

• Drying time will always depend on the thickness of your object.
• Beads and other small items can burn very quickly. If you need to bake beads, cut the oven time in half and watch them carefully.