Paper Clay Tutorial

Make figurines or other decorative items with paper clay.

Paper clay is a type of clay that can be used for craft projects where traditional clay and polymer clay may not be suitable. Paper clay is more appropriate for most at-home crafters because the projects you create with it do not need to be fired in a kiln or oven to harden. Paper clay hardens completely in the air as it dries. You can use paper clay to make decorative plaques, trinkets and even homemade beads for jewelry.

Things You'll Need

• Wax paper
• Masking tape
• Paper clay
• Rolling pin
• Plastic flatware
• Toothpicks
• Tempera paint
• Spray can of urethane

Instructions

Decorative Plaques

1. Lay a sheet of wax paper over a flat work surface and tape the corners with masking tape to keep it in place.

2. Place a chunk of paper clay in the center of the wax paper.

3. Roll the clay into an even 1/4 inch thick layer with a rolling pin.

4. Cut the plaque to the size you want by trimming the edges with a plastic knife.

5. Write a message, poem or quote onto the plaque with a toothpick or use rubber stamps to press the words into the clay. Press gently to avoid cutting completely through the clay.

6. Smooth the engraved lines with your finger and allow the clay to dry for at least eight hours.

7. Paint the entire plaque with a medium-sized paint brush and one color of tempera paint.

8. Use a small brush to paint the words with a different color of tempera paint.

9. Allow the paint to dry and spray the entire plaque with a coat of urethane.

Figurines

1. Lay a sheet of wax paper over a flat work surface and tape it in place at the corners with masking tape.

2. Place the paper clay on the wax paper.

3. Hand form the clay into any shape you like. Create figures of people, animals, buildings or even fruit.

4. Carve details into the clay with a toothpick and a plastic knife. Allow the finished objects to dry for at least eight hours, turning them every two hours.

5. Paint your objects with tempera paint and a paintbrush. Allow the paint to dry.

6. Spray a coat of urethane over the objects to seal the paint and allow it to dry.

Homemade Beads

1. Lay a sheet of wax paper over a flat work surface and tape it in place at the corners with masking tape.

2. Place the paper clay onto the wax paper and separate it into chunks the size that you want your beads.

3. Roll each chunk with the palm of your hand into a ball.

4. Insert a toothpick through the center of each ball.

5. Carve details into the beads or sculpt them into more intricate shapes with a toothpick and a plastic knife.

6. Allow the finished beads to dry for at least eight hours, turning them every two hours.

7. Paint your beads with tempera paint and a paintbrush. Insert the ends of the toothpicks into a foam cup to prevent the paint from smudging. Allow the paint to dry.

8. Spray a coat of urethane over the beads to seal the paint and allow it to dry.

9. Twist and wiggle the toothpicks to remove them from the finished beads.

References

• Fave Crafts: How to Use Paper Clay