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Making Fimo clay pens is a really great way to have a little fun in the most creative way possible. Make Fimo clay pens with help from an experienced artist in this free video clip.
When making a clay horned owl, you're definitely going to want to keep a few key things in mind. Make a clay horned owl with help from an experienced artist in this free video clip.
You'd be surprised by just how easy it is to make a clay armadillo right at home. Make a clay armadillo with help from an experienced artist in this free video clip.
You can make practically anything you want out of clay so long as you know what you're doing. Get ideas of what to make with clay with help from a ceramic artist and instructor in this free video clip.
Skunks have gained quite the negative reputation for their nauseatingly foul odor that can take days to fully get rid of. At the same time, skunks have also inspired numerous adorable characters in popular culture, including Flower and Miss Skunk in "Bambi," Fifi La Fume in "Tiny Toon Adventures" and Petunia in "Happy Tree Friends." Thus, as far as children may be concerned, skunks are cute, friendly critters. With some polymer clay, children can mold their own skunk figurine to display in their bedrooms.
Pottery is an ancient craft, relying on extremely high temperatures to bake clay compounds into a hard, durable form. The heat of the kiln, which hardens the clay, can also be used to melt various substances onto the surface of the pottery vessel, making a hard, glossy colorful glaze. Glazes add to the beauty of a piece, and can also offer practical advantages such as water resistance. They can be compounded at home with a modest investment in equipment and materials.
Impress your friends and family the next time you pour them a glass of lemonade or ice tea from a clay pitcher you made yourself. Designing your own pitcher is both a rewarding and creative experience. In a world full of electronic devices, working with clay helps to keep us connected to nature. Learning to make pottery takes practice, but perfecting the art can take a lifetime.
Burgers made out of polymer clay are often used as accessories for small dolls and model settings for things such as restaurants or model homes. Clay burgers also can be turned into earrings and any other piece of jewelry you see fit. Much like regular burgers, polymer clay burgers also must be cooked in order to be finished properly.
Plastic clay is an ideal medium for sturdy, long-lasting sculptures. Though it is inexpensive to buy in bulk, those who are so inclined can whip up a quick batch using household ingredients. Also referred to as polymer clay for its use of glue, this substance has a longer shelf life and offers a faster drying time than traditional sculpting clays. Like traditional clays, sculptures made with plastic clay can be set in an oven or with an external heat source.
Polymer clay contains PVC, a plastic material that makes it simple to shape and mold. The clay hardens at low temperatures in a regular home oven, so there is no need for a kiln or special equipment. Use the clay to make a simple handprint charm by using a transfer technique. The image becomes permanent after you bake the charms. Add the finished clay handprint to a charm bracelet or necklace.
Modeling clay has advanced far beyond the basic dough-like substance in primary colors many people may have used in childhood. Various textures and a wide variety of colors allow crafters to create detailed, one-of-a-kind items, including delicate flowers. Make clay daylilies to match a room's decor for your home or as a gift.
Using clay to make miniature princesses is a simple craft activity to keep a child’s boredom at bay on a rainy afternoon, or a great way to occupy a group of children at a princess-themed birthday party. The clay princess can be customized to any size you like and decorated with bright colored paints and sparkling glitters. When the princess is finished, decorate your child’s room with her artistic creation and let her make an extra one to give to a special friend or family member at Christmastime.
Clay can take any shape its handler sees fit to form, including a mouth and teeth. Work with polymer clay for the best results. Though technically not a clay, this substance is extremely pliable. What's more, it will not blend when colored, letting you work with clay in multiple pigments without them combining. Your unique interpretation of the shape of a mouth and teeth will dictate the finished look of this craft. For a humorous touch, you can create a gap between teeth or have some teeth missing.
Polymer sculpting clay comes in many different colors and is easily molded and shaped to provide the finest details. It's soft at first, but after you bake it, the polymer clay hardens permanently. Clay is often used to create figures for school projects, like historical dioramas. Clay hobbyists make ornaments, miniatures, jewelry and dozens of other items with it. You can make all kinds of people, animals and objects out of clay. Even kids can make very basic sculptures -- such as a girl wearing a yellow dress.
Creating a clay trivet that expresses your individuality can be a clever way to bring a splash of color or art to your kitchen or dinner table. While a trivet is useful to place under a hot dish, it also can serve as a base for a candle centerpiece or a customized gift for a hostess of a party. Your color or pattern choices are limited only by your imagination. In just a few easy steps, you can sculpt a trivet that brings joy for years to come.
Forming small clay figurines is a useful skill for creating home decor, gifts, craft supplies and even school projects. Determining how you should turn a shapeless lump of clay into a recognizable image, like a rabbit, is challenging at first. The trick is to break the image down into simple parts that you assemble to create the final figurine. Primitive figures require less detail and precise shaping than true-to-life sculptures. As a result, composing a primitive rabbit’s head entails a few pieces of clay in basic shapes.
If you are looking for a way to get creative with your children or want a rainy-day activity to do at home, you can make your own clay out of bread. It's an easy process and the finished product will look similar to the kind of clay you can buy at any crafts store. However, after making a sculpture with it, it is not remoldable. The clay you make will allow you to make your own design and then you can paint it to put the finishing touches.
A model ecosystem can help you better understand plants, animals and the environment. Clay can help you to populate your ecosystem with its various features and allows you to customize its size, shape and color to your liking. Purchased from a store, clay may come with color that is difficult to adjust; consider cooking your own batch of clay for a more creative experience. You should also thoroughly investigate your ecosystem to determine how best to represent it.
Roman amphora were usually made of clay and thrown on a potter's wheel. Derived from an earlier style of Greek amphora, these ceramic vessels were tall, with long, narrow necks, and handles on either side. Many stoppered amphora containers held 1 cubic foot of dry or wet perishable goods and were a staple of commerce: Merchants of the Roman empire transported goods in amphora, while consumers used them for storage. Most amphora had tiny, tapered bases and were not meant to be freestanding. They had to be supported by ropes or racks.
When young children learn about the great ships that existed in history, such as the ships used by the Vikings or the ships of Columbus, they are often assigned art projects that support their learning. You can assist your child in making these ships or vessels out of clay at home. A few supplies that you may already have on hand make the project inexpensive. The project takes about one weekend to complete.
As you create your knitting projects, the smaller ends of the needles move in and out of your work. However, when you put your work down, the yarn can slide off of the needles over the points. If the yarn slides off the needles, it is a challenge to reinsert the needles and resume your work. Instead of risking losing your place in your knitting project, you can create your own needle protectors from clay.
Tandoor ovens -- cylindrical clay baking drums -- have been used for centuries in India, Pakistan and Iran. Reaching temperatures in excess of 500 degrees Fahrenheit, the tandoor oven is fueled by wood or charcoal. Bring the traditional clay drum tandoor oven to your backyard so you can enjoy classic fire-roasted Indian food such as tandoori chicken, chicken tikka and naan bread. Finding a clay drum, the key component in a homemade tandoor, is easier than you think.
Sculpey is a brand of polymer clay, a substance that looks, acts and feels like natural clay. There are many benefits to using polymer clay over earthen clay. Polymer clay comes in a multitude of colors, so there's no glazing involved in polymer projects. There's no need for a kiln, since polymer clay hardens in the home oven. Polymer clay is made of nontoxic plastics and won't stain your hands or clothes.
When you are celebrating the fall season, you may be frustrated by how expensive fall-themed decorations can be when purchased from a department store or specialty shop. One alternative is to make your own fall decorations using a few basic materials. For example, make a pumpkin container out of polymer clay, which can be baked in a standard oven. You can buy a variety of polymer clay inexpensively from any arts and crafts supply store.
If you drop a quarter into a wishing well, it sinks down through the water to the bottom of the well with all the other wishers' coins. If you take a second quarter, build a wall around its edge with a piece of masking tape and place it in the water with the taped walls facing up, it will submerge slightly and then float. An object floats when its density is less than the water it is immersed in and its buoyancy is the equivalent of its displacement of water. Clay can also be manipulated into forms that will float.
Hydraulic cement is a powdered mineral mixture that hardens when combined with water. In 1824, Joseph Aspdin invented portland cement, which is a main ingredient in concrete. The eight types of portland cement range from Types I and IA, which are suitable for most structural uses, to Type V, which is suitable for structures exposed to sulfate from soil and groundwater. Other types of cement include blended cements, expansion cements and white cement. Gray cement and white cement have the same structural capacities but different processing requirements.
Keeping children busy can be tough, especially when chores, such as cooking dinner, need to get done. Making play clay, or play dough, is a perfect way to keep the kids occupied in the kitchen without worrying about the hazards of the stove or oven, since no cooking is required for this recipe.
Making scented clay is an easy and inexpensive way to add a unique touch to your next ceramic project. Not only will you be able to experiment with various scents, but scented clay allows you to individualize each piece with a lovely smell that will last for a very long time. Use essential oils for a light fragrance or ground spices for an earthier, home-spun scent.
Fimo is a brand of polymer clay that's known for its firmness and easy-to-shape properties. The German company Staedtler manufactures this clay in a range of bright colors and finishes. The clay hardens when you place it in a domestic oven. Both adults and children use Fimo, as it is easy to mold and work with. You can create a variety of delicate creations, including trinkets and jewelery, with this popular clay.
Before you begin making your wolf’s head from clay, decide what you want it to look like. If you’re making the head (or heads) with children, explain to them that wolves and pet dogs are closely related. Tell them that one way in which wolves and domesticated dogs differ is that wolves howl a lot to communicate with other members of their family. Suggest to your children that the wolf head they make from clay be of a wolf howling. Find a few pictures of wolves howling and have them nearby when you're working with your clay.
Dress up any dull refrigerator with decorative cookie magnets made out of homemade clay. In just a couple of minutes you can whip up a cookie dough clay that bakes to a consistency similar to unfinished ceramics. Use your favorite cookie cutters to stamp them out, and with the right paint and embellishments, your refrigerator decorations will look good enough to eat. Let them hang year-round, or make a set for all seasons.
Simple plates are a common project for clay-crafting novices, but changing the shape from the traditional round to an interesting square will make your piece unique. Use household items to add texture to the plate and use colorful glazes for extra pizazz. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the clay and glaze to prevent cracking and other flaws in the finished piece.
Making a tasty and beautiful pie crust is especially difficult during "blind baking," a process by which the crust is baked on its own and then later filled with fruit or custard. For best results during blind baking, use baking marbles. When spread evenly over the bottom of the pie crust, baking marbles can help prevent bubbling, rising or shrinking during the baking process. Ceramic baking marbles can be purchased at most home improvement or culinary stores; making them at home is a rewarding and cost effective process.
From art projects to Halloween decorations to science models, there are many reasons to create clay eyeballs. Determine the reason for the creation, and the type eyeball needed. Use pictures as a model for details, to increase authenticity. Work on a clean surface, to avoid incorporating any undesirable components such as dust or pet hair. Cover the table space with a clean tarp or wax paper.
Feed your clay bunny by making miniature clay carrots. Use polymer clay for this project because it is already colored and there is no need for painting. The vinyl-based modeling material is well suited for tiny objects because it is pliable without being overly sticky, and it can be cured, or hardened, in a conventional oven. Miniature carrots can be used as dollhouse food or even as a nose for a small-scaled clay snowman.
The home hobbyist can buy two types of clay, each with its own advantage depending on the desired result. Oven-cured and self-hardening clays temper differently and need dissimilar conditioning techniques. A water-based, air-dry clay would need very little conditioning while an oven-cured clay, which is oil-based, requires extensive kneading. Treating each clay according to its chemical makeup produces a crack-free finish.
Prekindergarten children possess infinite creativity and imagination. They are willing to discover new things with curiosity and excitement. Experimenting with different types of clay, colors and textures allows kids to express themselves and use their senses. There are different clays that are easily made and safe for Pre-K, just in case a student eats his artwork.
Learn more about Native Americans who lived in woodland areas by making a model wigwam from clay. One type of wigwam, which is a dwelling made from wooden frames covered in tree bark, was made by the Algonquian Indians for their winter camps. Craft a model of a wigwam using air-dry clay, which hardens at room temperature rather than in a kiln. Shape the clay into the wigwam and then carve the details.
Polymer clay provides a versatile, lightweight and inexpensive way to create a wide range of different objects. Sculpting with polymer clay allows you to create unique and distinctive jewelry and accessories, expressing your own creativity in one-of-a-kind objects. A dragon's eye pendant is a challenging and fun polymer clay sculpting project. By combining polymer clay with other media and using a few simple sculpting techniques, you can create a beautiful and evocative piece of jewelry you can be proud of.
Children love playing with clay and love to share their creations with others. Creating your own air dry clay for children's projects can lead to homemade Christmas presents, a sense of accomplishment and an opportunity to develop fine motor skills.
Standard clay ceramics, also known as stoneware, are a common type that many people have in their homes. Porcelain is also clay based, but is of much higher quality, and consequently fetches a higher price. If you're shopping at a yard sale or flea market, you might want to be sure about what you're paying for. There are several key differences between porcelain and standard clay ceramics.
One way to give your house a more rustic look is to craft many of your decorations at home. If logs aren't readily available, or if you live in a humid area and are worried about rot, consider making clay logs at home instead. The clay will last longer and be at less risk of decay than a real log, and you can feel proud that you crafted your decor by hand. Clay logs look good in fireplaces or in baskets next to them.
Making self portraits out of clay is a means to allow students to project their self image, learn how they see themselves and also develop their modeling abilities. Sculpey is a soft polymer clay that stays malleable until it is oven-baked, so the students will be able to spend as much time as they need to perfect their self portraits. Prepare a warm-up to introduce the topic to your students and present them with the material before they start creating.
Use an old jar as a mold to make new clay jars. The mouth of the jar must be the widest part or you will not be able to get your new clay jar off in one piece. Using existing dishes to make plates, platters and jars is a fairly common practice. You can embellish your jar with patterns or textures even if the original was fairly plain. You can glaze the jar before firing, or leave it in its natural clay state if you wish.
Even though people rarely use clay cookware today, humans have utilized clay containers to cook food since 6000 B.C. You can fashion clay cookware from pottery clay, known as kaolin, inexpensively by enrolling in a pottery class at your local arts and recreation center, or you can purchase the supplies and equipment.
Nutrient rich and full of moisture, heavy clay loam soils are ideal for water gardens, bogs, and plants that are not drought-tolerant. Water-loving plants do exceptionally well in heavy clay loam soil. They can also be used on steep slopes to offset erosion since the fine particles are bonded together and not as prone to the effects of weathering. Making a heavy clay loam soil is the first step toward building a natural bog garden or a pond. It will largely depend on your level of commitment since the soil will need amending every one to two years.
Making clay sushi with cute faces is a creative project to explore a child's visual art skills. Use the activity for teaching the child about the variations of sushi and the basic preparation and baking of polymer clay. Polymer clay is a good choice for these projects. Unlike other kinds of clay, polymer clay can be baked in your oven. Display the clay sushi for dinner guests or as an art exhibition for friends, family or art teachers.
Make your own homemade clay that will air dry and requires no kiln or oven for hardening. Instead of buying expensive air-dry clay for crafts and projects, use basic kitchen ingredients and tools to make your own. Use the homemade clay for kids’ school projects, jewelry, miniatures or any project that can be made with regular air-dry clay. You can make the clay in large or small quantities, depending on what your project requires.
Sometimes the most fun is had when you invent things to do with the stuff you have already at home. Homemade clay is one concoction that you and the kids can make to pass time on a lazy afternoon. Simple recipes for clay are easy and quick to follow. Once you have your gooey mass ready to go, though, you may stare at each other wondering what to make with it. There are countless goodies you can form out of homemade clay and each one can be baked to keep for a long time.
A texture roller is a craft tool for applying a texture or pattern to clay. Texture rollers make applying a uniform pattern or texture onto a slab of clay simple. While you can purchase texture rollers at a craft or art supply store, it's very easy to make your own. The best part of making your own texture roller is that you can create the exact design you have in mind.
Make a Compsognathus with clay to express your interest in prehistoric creatures. Living during the Jurassic period, the Compsognathus was a fast and lean carnivore. According to the website, Enchanted Learning, the lizard measured approximately 30 inches in length and projected sharp teeth, fangs and a pointed tail when chasing after prey. Craft your dinosaur from polymer clay and bake it in your oven.
Polymer clay is a versatile medium to use for making models because it is not only cost-effective, but can be remodeled multiple times if you're not happy with the project the first time. Once you shape the clay into something such as a model or jewelry, you need to make it hard to preserve it and prevent it from being reshaped. Polymer clay requires temperatures of nearly 300 degrees Fahrenheit to harden, allowing you to complete the process with your oven.
Making clay tablets is a hands-on project that not only teaches children about ancient Egypt but is fun to boot. This craft project is not difficult and requires few tools and materials. It allows children to demonstrate their creativity during the learning process and provides a welcome break from lecture-style learning.
Clay is versatile and can be molded, rolled and sculpted into any shape or object you can imagine. It's suitable for children of all ages--and even adults. You can even make your own clay from common household ingredients. When you're done sculpting, you can bake your creation to keep it intact for weeks, months or even years down the road.
Clay dough contains many components that will dissolve in water, if left sitting for a long enough time period. Common items in clay dough include flour, baking soda and salt -- all of which dissolve in water. To avoid this problem, use items in the dough that are not water soluble -- so it will last when placed in water.
The diplodocus was an herbivore dinosaur that existed during the late Jurassic Period. Diplodocus was tall with a thick body held up by four somewhat stubby legs. The dinosaur had a very long, slightly thick tail and an equally long, but thinner, neck. On a 90-foot-long diplodocus, 26 feet of it would be the neck while the tail was 45 feet. That left a mere 18 feet for the main body region. Diplodocus walked with its head horizontal to the ground to better search for plants to eat.
Polymer clay is a polymer compound that can be used for a wide variety of crafting projects. The clay is malleable and not prone to drying out. Baking the clay in a regular kitchen oven hardens it for the final product. Create a bell with this clay using a silicone mold. Select the mold that suits your needs, whether you need a plain bell or a pair of wedding bells with ribbons. Molds can show a great deal of detailing.
Unicorns are mystical creatures that look like horses with a long, pointed horn protruding from the center of the forehead. If you want to sculpt your own unicorn, you can do so using simple modeling clay. While sculpting may seem intimidating, if you focus on one part at a time, the task will be less daunting in the end. Using simple tools like a metal scraper and a butter knife will help you create a smooth, quality finished product that is securely attached and ready for display.
Clay pots have been used for centuries. While most clay objects are now made in factories, working with clay is used by some as an artistic expression and way to relax. Once you have mastered basic concepts in pottery making, you may want to move on to slightly more complicated items. Adding a clay spout to a pitcher can take practice but in time can be done with ease. Make a pitcher with a clay spout to use in your own home or to give as a gift.
Homemade oven heatable clay provides hours of fun for all ages. The clay is made from a salt and flour mixture that is kid safe. The natural color of the clay is a light brown color that is similar to cookie dough. The addition of food coloring to the clay mixture allows a variety of clay colors. Keep the mixed clay in an air tight container when not in use. The oven-heatable clay will keep up to two weeks after it is mixed.
The fedora is a style of hat popularized in the 1920s. Commonly associated in pop culture with detectives and Prohibition-era gangsters, the fedora is still worn by men and women. Due to its distinctive pinched-front shape, the fedora has an iconic and stylish silhouette. You can sculpt a clay fedora as a decorative gift for the mystery or fashion enthusiast in your life.
A small clay tombstone is ideal for Halloween decor outside your home but it can also be used for more serious purposes, such as a gravestone for a deceased pet. The main reasons to use clay for this purpose are: the material is inexpensive, pliable, hardens quickly and can be made to look like stone. That means you can have a clay gravestone made and ready to put in place in a matter of hours.
Any type of clay works well as a sculpting medium. Whether using your own hand as a model or another reference material, sculpting a finger requires a supportive base at the beginning of the process. Once you form your base, your clay easily forms to the shape, and you can begin building on layers of clay to create the replica of your model.
Faces are a popular subject matter for sculpture. Whether realistic or abstract, hundreds of artists have sculpted famous faces from ancient ceramic Buddha heads to the more modern "Head of a Woman" by Picasso. An important aspect of any head sculpture is the nose. The size and shape of the nose can drastically change the look of your sculpture.
You can make long extruded tubes of clay if you have a macaroni attachment to your pasta machine, or a clay extruding tool. If you use your pasta machine, you will get clay in your machine, and you can only make one size of clay tube. A far easier way to make extruded clay tubes uses everyday household items. You can also use different items to make tubes that are bigger or smaller, depending on what you are working on.
If you are teaching your students or children about the rainforest, a diorama is one way to reinforce the concepts you have taught. Clay is a medium most children enjoy working with, and it can be used to create detailed rainforest models. Show your students clay techniques so they know how to roll, pinch and shape the clay into shapes that resemble plants and animals that reside in the rainforest. Allow the children to be creative in interpreting their understanding of the rainforest, and use these directions to guide their creativity.
Clay must be a certain consistency to throw on a wheel or to sculpt. Commercial clay will usually be the right consistency, but if you are digging your own or reclaiming clay for reuse, you will need to know how to remove the moisture from the clay. Being able to recycle your clay scraps from trimming, broken greenware or abandoned projects reduces costs and rewards you with a richer understanding of your art materials.
Many parents and educators look for inexpensive and easy recipes they can enjoy with their children. Homemade clay lets you do this in two stages. First of all, you get to make the clay with them. Add powdered drink mixes for color, a little at a time. Your children can watch the clay change colors before their eyes. Secondly, you can make all kinds of projects that you can roll out, shape or use with cookie cutters. Baking hardens your final creations until they are as hard as plastic.
Making a plateau out of clay is an easy way to learn the features of that landform. Understanding the ways that plateaus form is part of any geology curriculum. Tectonic forces create plateaus by pushing an area of land up. Erosion then erodes the sides of the plateau, creating a flat-topped and relatively sheer-sided land mass. Plateaus are found around the world and underneath the sea. Making a clay plateau is an ideal project for a geology unit in class and could also be used as a science fair project.
Some fans of the Transformers are just simply obsessed with them. For some, collecting these action figures available at the store simply isn't satisfying enough. There are fanatics who must create clay versions of these action figures to call their own. With the latex molds you create to preserve the detail of your Transformer figures, you can also create replicas of these actions figure to paint and display. To the fellow collectors, the end product may be figures that your friends will envy and possibly beg for you to produce for them.
Use clay to teach children about sculpting and experimenting with different projects. Polymer clay is soft and easy to mold if you're just getting started. Although it's messy, you can use it to shape and reshape columns the way you want. The columns will harden when they are baked in a kitchen oven, so you won't need a kiln to complete the project. As with most clay, it's important to follow the directions on your package for safe handling.
Clay flooring, sometimes called "earthen flooring" or "adobe flooring," is a floor made from natural clay, sand to prevent cracking, and some type of binding agent such as straw or saw dust. A properly-made clay floor is durable, smooth and attractive. You can use clay flooring in an outbuilding or tool shed or even inside a home as an environmentally friendly construction material.
Clay is a convenient material for modeling because it can be shaped and reshaped multiple times. However, once you decide to make one of your designs permanent, it is necessary to allow the clay to dry completely. This process can take hours, if not days, to achieve. A quicker solution is to use heat to speed up the drying process.
Casting an item in clay allows you to reproduce it exactly as many times as you like. You might make jewelry with the result, add texture to an art project or replicate an item from a doll house. Whatever you want to recreate, Sculpey makes a product specifically designed for making molds. Every detail of the original is captured so your finished product is just what you want it to be.
Craft a clay bouquet as a creative way to master your visual art skills and show your love. Encourage children or beginning art students to undertake the task as an after school or weekend activity. Polymer clay is ideal for use in the home because of its capacity for baking in a conventional oven. Decorate your bouquet with colorful paint and protect the surface with a polymer glaze. Give the bouquet as a gift on Valentine's Day, a birthday or just to show you care.
A clay pedestal, sometimes called a clay stem, is the long vertical piece on a pottery item that connects the bowl with the base. A clay pedestal can be tall, such as the ones found on bird baths, or short, such as those found on small candy dishes. Making a clay pedestal is deceptively hard; an air bubble, messed up angle or disproportionate amount of clay could all cause it to collapse under the weight of the bowl. Fortunately, with a little practice, you'll be able to make clay stems in only a handful of minutes.
You don't need to have access to, or invest in, a kiln to start exploring the arts of sculpting and making pottery. There are recipes for homemade, air-drying clay that are made with ingredients commonly found in most households. While you may decide later on to become more involved in one of these crafts by taking classes and investing in specialized tools, a potting wheel or a kiln, you may find your first attempts at free-hand sculpting or pot-making to be more satisfying than you would have thought possible.
Sculpey is a type of polymer clay that can be baked right in your oven at home. It comes in a myriad of colors, and it can be purchased at crafts supply stores. It is an ideal craft for kids, with adult supervision -- and, unlike some other clay-type products, once it is baked, it can be preserved. You can make clay people as figures in dioramas or as a stand-alone statues.
A three-dimensional clay face is a project allowing you to explore the facial characteristics of man and practice your carving skills, as you must pay attention to small details to produce a realistic face. The term "face" means the front of the head, from forehead to chin, so do not have to include the hair and ears. Use polymer clay for this craft, as it is a material you can easily mold and carve, while it becomes hard after baking, giving you a lasting 3-D face.
Cat lovers can decorate their house with a homemade clay cat model, instead of going for commercially available cat-themed decorations. Clay is easy to mold and harden, unlike porcelain and plastic -- other materials used in commercial cat decorations -- and therefore, the craft is approachable even for novices. However, only polymer clay is suitable for this craft, as oil-based clay cannot get harder and self-hardening clay is vulnerable to water. You can find images of various cat breeds for your project at "CatsInfo.com" and "Pets4Homes."
A clay paw print is an impression of your dog's paw pads pressed into clay. Clay paw prints are a piece of you dog, as no two prints are exactly the same. They can mark milestones in your dog's life, honor the powerful bond you have with your dog and be a memorial to a beloved companion who has passed away. Oven-bake clay can be purchased at any arts and crafts store, and recruiting a helper to gently hold a wiggly or sensitive dog will ensure a memento you can cherish for years to come.
A few different techniques exist for hand building ceramic sculptures. One method, clay coiling, involves building a ceramic object from the base upward with uniform rolls of clay. This technique is especially useful for creating bowls, urns, jugs and other tall ceramic objects which have a non-cylindrical shape. The process of creating clay coils is relatively simple and requires minimal preparation but the process does involve an investment of both time and patience.
Though clay drain pipe were once commonly used to create sewer system for homes, they have been mostly replaced with building code-accepted PVC or ABS plastic pipe sections. However, in some areas, clay sewer pipes are still accepted and installed. The sections are now generally joined together with flexible rubber couplings, which are tightened in place with stainless steel hose clamps on each end of the fitting. Various angled clay couplings are available to route the clay sewer lines at various angles.
You can make clay that dries to a hard consistency with ingredients you probably have in your kitchen. Perfect for younger craft lovers, the clay can be molded into ornaments, toys and Christmas decorations. Leave the clay to dry and then paint as desired. You can add food coloring if you prefer not to paint it. Lacquer the crafts for a longer-lasting finish. Keep the clay in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready for crafting.
Hard clay letters can be used to decorate the walls in a child's room, given as a gift or sold at a craft fair or fundraiser. They are also easy enough for children to make with a little assistance. Although standard clay requires a kiln to harden, air-dry clay will harden on its own; it is also available in a wide variety of colors.
A single leaf demonstrates the intricacy and beauty that can be found in nature. Using an actual leaf from a tree as inspiration and a guide, make a replica out of clay. Copy the exact shape of the leaf and include the vein patterns to turn a leaf into a beautiful piece of art.
You can fashion some delicately appearing rosebuds with either polymer, porcelain, or plasticine clay. Modeling clay (plasticine) is easy to manipulate and is a good material to practice making rosebuds. The formation process is similar for any clay. With porcelain, you need to add a drop of water as you attach the components. Polymer and plasticine are merely connected with fingertip pressure. Polymer clay is cured in the oven while porcelain needs to be fired in a kiln. Plasticine keeps it pliable nature and can be dismantled at anytime. This makes it the preferred clay to learn this technique.
Building a homemade clay planter can be as simple as constructing a cardboard mold and covering it with clay. Once you have built the clay planter, you can add decorative features such as fluted edges, etchings and additional pieces of clay. You do not need to be an artist to complete this project -- you simply need to be able to roll out and cut slabs of clay and follow the basic principles of slab construction.
Starfish are also called sea stars, because they are not actually fish. These creatures are best known for their five arms that form a star shape and contain the organs of the body. The outside skin of the starfish is shell-like with a bumpy or spiked surface and small feet that have suction cups to help hold on to prey. Colors of the starfish vary from bright colors like red, blue, purple and orange to light gray, tan, pink or white. Create a lifelike starfish from purchased or homemade clay or sand textured sand clay.
Gnomes are dwarfish creatures -- mostly represented as old bearded men -- found in European folklore. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, medieval mythology regards them as guardians of treasures hidden in the earth. Nowadays, gnomes are primarily used as decoratives for the garden, and are depicted singing, working or simply standing upright. You can create your own garden gnome from scratch, using modeling clay. However, as the gnome will remain outdoors, you need a sturdy material that the rain can't affect; thus, polymer clay is an option for this craft.
Clay hollow forms are used to make metal clay jewelry and sculpture. These templates allow the artist to make larger beads and other objects that she would otherwise be able to, because the empty interior keeps the weight of the piece and the cost of materials down. There are several techniques for making hollow forms in clay, using different filling substances and covering clays. Whatever material fills the hollow portion of the form must be solid enough to maintain its shape during the process, but burn away or otherwise be removed later on.
Armatures are the skeletal structure of clay figures that allow animators to work with figures higher than a couple of inches tall. These wire skeletons are used inside the bodies of clay characters in stop-motion animation. The simplest form of armature is the wire frame anybody can make to create figures that carry out a range of motions.
Polymer clay animals are fun to build, and starting a collection on your shelf can make your room a happier place. You can also give your creations away, so once you've mastered making the clay cat, you can start crossing your friends and family who love their feline friends from your holiday list, because you'll have their presents on hand. With this project, the key to making your clay cat look real has to do with the sinuous curvature you give the body, legs, head and tail, matching the seamless glide that is a cat's way of moving.
Although there are many different types of clays, polymer clay is one of the most popular types when it comes to making crafts. Polymer clay is available in many colors and will harden just from the heat of a traditional oven -- eliminating the need for a kiln. Form decorative mushrooms out of polymer clay and when they are hardened, place them into potted plants for decoration.
Making a clay maraca is a creative way to express your passion for music. Maracas are hand-held Latin American musical instruments. Filled with seeds, a musician shakes the maraca to lend a percussive beat to any song. Crafting a model maraca is possible with the use of air-dry clay. Air-dry clay is safe for children and beginning art students to use -- without the need to dry or bake the model in an oven.
The sun is the star at the center of the solar system and all the other planets orbit around it. It is a main sequence star and is thought to be slightly over 4.5 billion years old. You can create a model of the sun using a Styrofoam ball as a support and using clay to replicate the surface texture of the star.
A dorodango, which is also called hikaru dorodango because of its coveted shiny exterior, is a decorative ball of mud originating from Japan. When the process of creating a dorodango is complete, it should yield a glistening, glaze-like coating that is achieved through polishing. Your hands are the primary tools needed for shaping and finishing this project unlike most clay sculptures, which require a potter’s wheel and kiln. A hikaru dorodango takes about 90 minutes from start to polish.
For some potters, finding a river clay deposit is like a miner striking a gold vein. However, many may hesitate to bring home a bucketful because they are unsure about the process of cleaning natural clay to achieve the proper plasticity. Although time-consuming, making pottery clay from river clay provides a desirable medium while bringing the artist a little closer to nature.
A handprint plate made from clay allows you to preserve a small child's handprint and is a suitable gift for parents or grandparents. This is a craft that should be completed with adult supervision because there are several steps that might be too complicated for young artists, and it can also include using the oven. Children will enjoy creating this sentimental gift for a loved one and can use many different art supplies for decorating.
The Tyrannosaurus Rex is one of the most recognizable and fearsome dinosaurs to have roamed the planet. Armed with a face full of sharp teeth, a powerful tail and two tiny arms, the T-Rex has been fictionalized in movies and glamorized in museums. You can pay tribute to this massive monster by sculpting a simple T-Rex head out of modeling clay. This is an exciting way to familiarize yourself with the structure and power of the Tyrannosaur’s jaws.
A stethoscope amplifies the sound of the heartbeat and breathing of a patient, so that a medical practitioner is able to ascertain if there are problems that need attention. Since a stethoscope is an item that amplifies sound, you can make one at home using household items. Make your very own stethoscope with polymer clay. Polymer clay has the advantage of being easy to work with and can be fired in your home oven rather than a kiln.
While planet Jupiter can be seen by telescope, a clay model of the planet provides a visual image that shows much more detail. Jupiter is a unique planet in the solar system, one of the gas giants. It is the largest planet and is made up of rock and gasses. What is seen in pictures of Jupiter are the clouds that surround the planet in colored bands. The color of the bands correspond with the clouds' proximity to Jupiter, the blue bands being closest to the planet, the browns and whites being in the middle and the red ones are…
Sundials are a great way to add decoration and interest to your garden or yard. They are also useful as teaching tools for children, illustrating clearly how the Earth rotates throughout the day. While you can make a sundial out of almost any materials, clay is certainly one of the simplest, and most fun, to use. With clay, you have complete control over the size and shape of your sundial, and it is easy to decorate with designs, paint, or the creator's name.
When sculpting figurines from clay, you have the option of gluing on hair after the figurines have been fired or creating hair from the clay before firing the piece. When you make clay hair, you can create a more consistent look and decide the color, texture and hairstyle that best suits your character. Sculpting hair is fun and easy to do, even if you are a novice potter. There are many ways to fashion hair from clay and you even get tools designed for this purpose. The following instructions are for one of the most basic techniques.
Clay teapots are typically made in four pieces. The pieces include the body, handle, lid and spout. The spout is one of the easiest parts of the teapot to make. Teapot spouts come in a variety of sizes and shapes. While it doesn't take a long time to create a teapot spout, it's place on the teapot, and the final look you choose, is crucial to the finished product.
Transform a sketch of a person, mythical being or animal into a three-dimensional artwork by turning it into a statue in clay. Many sculptors begin their process with a drawing. They create sketches of their statue idea from a variety of angles because the final sculpture is three-dimensional. One statue idea that can be created in clay is the Statue of Liberty. Home sculptors can use air-dry clay, which hardens with air rather than a kiln.
Ancient Egyptian culture still fascinates people to this day because of its grandeur and beauty. Ancient Egyptians created beautiful jewelry featuring charm amulets. Amulets are a charm or talisman that bring good fortune. You can create your own ancient Egyptian-inspired charm amulets at home using air-dry modeling clay. Air-dry modeling clay comes in many colors, so you can make a charm amulet as colorful as you want. You can also use a basic white clay and paint it once it dries.
You can create your own clay cowboys and Indians in your home, while learning a little about the culture from which those figures originated. Clay is an easily malleable crafting material, allowing you to design and create any figure you envision, while hardening into a safe sculpture you can display in your home. While the cowboy and Indian cultures were in their prime during the 18th and 19th centuries, images and historical details about these cultures are plentiful, giving you the opportunity to study this element of history while you recreate a part of it.
Childhood wouldn't be complete without the opportunity to push, pull, roll, bend, squish and sculpt dough or clay to make a figurine, ornament, or jewelry.The ingredients to make dough or clay for a project are common to the typical kitchen, putting the endeavor within the reach of families without stretching the budget too far. Children take pride in the finished product, as something they have created with their own two hands.
Casting your child's handprint in homemade clay dough creates an inexpensive and long-lasting reminder of those fleeting childhood days. Baker's clay, sometimes called salt dough, is safe and non-toxic, and dries to a hard finish that can be painted and sealed with clear nail polish. You can make a series of handprints through the years to demonstrate your child's growth, or give the finished product as a gift to grandparents who are certain to cherish it.
Clay roofing shingles date back several hundred years. They have been used successfully by advanced and native cultures worldwide for their ease of application and their weather resistance. Clay shingles are installed with an overlay technique that deposits a course of clay pieces, resting beneath and overlapped by the next higher course, providing total water runoff. While most native cultures use an air-dried curing process, most modern clay shingles require a ceramic surface addition as well as proper kiln-fired curing.
Clay is a versatile art medium that is used in a wide variety of applications, and can be manipulated in many ways. The simplest of these methods involves removing clay from a large block, essentially carving out your sculpture. This method can be used with polymer and ceramic clays, but does require several modeling tools.
Modeling clay is a popular craft for children and you can keep costs down by making your clay at home. Many fast-drying clay recipes require baking, but a no-bake option increases convenience. Recycling dryer lint to produce clay produces a fast-drying clay without baking and is also environmentally conscientious.
Air dry clay gives one the ability to create many craft items from clay without the need for the immense heat of a kiln to harden the desired creation. Anything from ornaments to small sculptures or figurines can be made from air dry clay. This clay can also be pressed into reusable molds to create clay tags for such purposes as place marking at the dinner table or identifying the various species of flowers in your garden.
Modeling with clay is a hobby enjoyed by millions. Making a clown out of clay is a wonderful way to introduce children to the enjoyable world of clay modeling. The key is to begin with the most simplistic approach and build an experience base to expand upon. For this approach, nothing works better than framing a clown's skeleton on jeweler's wire and adding structure, with torso, limbs and head made of air-dry clay. Adding a ribbon collar and a myriad of brightly painted colors completes the clay clown.
Making a pottery dish or bowl is a fun, hands-on activity for you and your children that results in a memento you can cherish forever. A pottery dish is made of clay that is formed into the shape of a bowl or plate. Once shaped, the clay bowl is dried and painted. If you're not an experienced artist, don't fret. The imperfections of a handmade clay dish give it personalized character.
Clay paste, also known as clay magma, is created by combining water and powdered clay. While the ratio of water to clay is about 2 to 1, you can use more or less water to reach the consistency you need. For the best results, use clean water that hasn't been used before. If you are applying the clay to a surface that will be exposed to the elements, add a small amount of sea salt to the mixture, which will increase the mineral count in the water and clay and make it more resistant to wear from outdoor elements.
Grab a few household items to make your own moldable clay. One type of homemade clay uses cornstarch, which is a white powder made from corn, as its base. It can be dyed with food coloring or painted after it dries. According to Family Fun, cornstarch clay is durable enough for molding figures and for handprint impressions. Once your sculpture is finished, allow it to dry at room temperature for one to four days.
The eyes are one of the most fascinating parts of the human body, allowing us to see and conveying what we are thinking and feeling. But the eyeballs, outside of the head, are a bit shocking and are often used either as Halloween decorations or as props to demonstrate the parts of those fascinating eyes. Whether you want to scare or simply educate, you can make a clay model of those eyeballs in a just a few minutes.
Playing with clay helps younger children develop their fine motor skills while expanding their imaginations. A lump of clay can turn into anything when in the hands of a child. For beginners working with clay, try warming the clay first by kneading it for a few minutes. Smaller hands may have trouble working with cold clay. A toothbrush holder is a basic item that a young child can easily create without any direction. Encourage children to find different items to make indentations in the clay where the toothbrushes will sit.
The art of sculpting dates back thousands of years. Pottery and sculptures of various materials are found in all ancient cultures, and the artform continues today. Children enjoy working with clay and it helps build eye-hand coordination and creativity. Creating a clay toothbrush holder is a simple project that produces an item that is both decorative and useful.
The massive wild grizzly bear commands respect among people and animals alike. This respect is attributed to the bears size, strength, swiftness. Because of this there is always an interest in all things related to bears. You can make your own bear claw from polymer clay at home in your oven.
Homemade clay can be a great way to save money and entertain kids. When you make your own clay, it gives you the option of directly knowing what goes into the product. Using this method, you can avoid certain ingredients that might cause your child to have an allergic reaction. If you'd like to forgo the flour and cornstarch that is in most traditional clay mixes, a simple recipe will do the job.
Fimo is a type of modeling clay that comes in both oven-hardening and air-drying types. Experienced crafters and young children alike can create anything from a basic animal shape to intricately detailed figures. When you’re creating thin components of your model, such as a legs or a tree trunk, it may be difficult to get the Fimo to stand upright without collapsing. There are a few tips to keep in mind to help with this potential issue.
Eraser clay comes in workable lumps which cure into a permanent shape but remain soft and degradable when you bake them in a conventional oven. This makes eraser clay perfect for making homemade erasers, but also for making your own custom stamps for ink and paper projects. Create your own signature stamp or decorative image to use on stationery, cards an any paper project.
Polymer clay is an ideal medium for creating and baking your own clay creations at home. Available from most craft supply stores, polymer clay is available in a wide array of colors, which means that you won't need to paint your finished platypus project. Specifically designed for baking, this type of clay will not flake and crumble after hardening. As opposed to other clays, once baked, your polymer clay creation will be a permanent item for you to enjoy.
Native American arrowheads are a common artifact to collect. Native American hunters made arrowheads from hard materials that were available. Arrowheads are hard to come by and expensive when you do find them. Instead, you can make your own arrowheads from polymer clay. Polymer clay is useful because it does not require a kiln to be fired. You can bake the clay in your home oven. Its vibrant colors and strength make it perfect for arrowheads.
Making clay coasters is an appropriate craft for novice sculptors and younger crafters. You can make a set for your home or as a gift for someone special. You can make ceramic or pottery coasters, but those require advanced skill and a kiln. Instead, use polymer clay which can be fired in your home oven. Polymer clay is waterproof and comes in a large range of vibrant colors. Use a single color to match your decor or mix several colors together to get interesting patterns.
Modeling clay allows children of all ages to express their inner Michelangelo or Rodin with less mess. Take the craft project one step further by teaching kids how to make their own homemade clay. Using safe, non-toxic ingredients to create the clay gives parents peace of mind and provides the opportunity to teach simple math and how to follow a recipe. Use inexpensive items found around the home to create clay that does not contain salt.
Polymer, or non-harden, clay is a clay made from polymer polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. It will not harden when exposed to air, so it is ideal for people who are learning to mold or enjoy molding and remolding with the same materials. If you create a piece you want preserved, you can harden the polymer through baking.
When you bring your baby home from the hospital you might save memorabilia, such as the hospital bracelet. You can also make your own keepsakes, such as clay footprints, to look back on in several years when your child has grown and it is hard to believe that he was once that small.
Dollhouses have fascinated both children and adults for centuries. They provide a space for kids to use their imagination, and a venue for adults to experiment with making miniature versions of everyday objects. Craft and specialty stores sell miniaturized versions of everything from silverware to bed linens. If your dollhouse could use some finishing, sculpting a custom clay chair will create a comfy seat for the residents.
Create a homemade box, picture frame or a set of coasters with the appearance of leather. The leather look is easy to create with the use of polymer clay. The most difficult and time-consuming portion of the project is pressing or stamping the surface of the clay to resemble the grain in a piece of leather. Once the clay is stamped, a coat or two of paint finishes the look and a leather-looking piece of clay is created.
Making a model volcano out of clay can be expensive or purely impractical. Try making one instead out of paper mache pulp. It will be lighter and will not require time in a kiln as clay would. The main ingredient is old newspaper, which you can obtain for free. When painted, your volcano will look great and safely contain concoctions of vinegar and baking soda for explosive action.
Bangles are a super fun, stylish item to have this season. You can find bangles at most stores and fashion websites for a variety of prices, but if you want a truly unique bangle for a night out or for a costume, try making one out of clay. Although clay bangles aren't as durable as store-bought ones, they are a fun project for all ages.
Building armies of toy soldiers is a hobby enjoyed by millions of people worldwide and actually making the toy soldiers at home has become almost as popular. With the advent of modern materials like polymers and molding systems it is now possible to duplicate wax or clay models into virtual armies overnight. The process of building an army begins with an introductory phase -- creating toy soldiers from hand-sculpted clay. Mini toy soldiers made of clay can be copied, molded and duplicated quickly and inexpensively.
Crafters can personalize clay items by imprinting letters onto the material before baking it. After the clay has hardened, it cannot have lettering put on it, but while soft, you can use leather lettering stamps to press perfectly formed letters onto the clay. Using these tools ensures the letters will all be the same size, and they are easier to put into a straight line than writing on the clay free-form.
The lionfish earned its name for a reason. Like its land-dwelling namesake, the lionfish is ferocious when attacked. With an imposing yet colorful appearance, the fish is immediately recognizable for its long and numerous dorsal fins that resemble needles. Whether you’re a fan of the lionfish or need to make one for a school project, clay provides a medium that even beginners can work with.
When you are teaching young children about seashell fossils, it can be difficult for the kids to fully understand what a seashell fossil is by simply looking at pictures in a book. One solution is to show the kids how to make their own fossils and seashells using a few basic craft supplies, such as polymer clay. This also enables the children to become more interactive and involved in learning about fossils and how they developed.
Finely detailed eyelids are needed to make realistic face sculptures. Even animals have eyelids and including them in your sculpture will help bring it to life. Making eyelids from clay is a delicate procedure, but not difficult and requires only two simple tools. The measurements used here correspond to a life-size human head model.
Winnie-the-Pooh (or Pooh Bear for short) is the bear from A.A. Milne's classic children's stories. According to the New York Public Library, Pooh Bear first appeared in "The Wrong Sort of Bees," a story published in the "London Evening News" on Christmas Eve, 1925. A year later, the first "Winnie the Pooh" book was published. Make Pooh Bear with clay by using polymer clay or air-dry clay. Both types are well suited for the home sculptor. Polymer clay comes in more colors, but air-dry clay can be painted after it dries at room temperature.
Clay is a bendable material made up primarily of fine-grained minerals. After the initial firing, also known as the bisque firing, the clay will have a porous surface. You can make clay glossy after you fire it when you apply ceramic glazes. However, you may also make it glossy before you fire the piece by using a technique known as burnishing. This technique gives sheen to clay and you won't need to fire the clay two times, as in the case of glazed clay.
Many people, children and adults alike, enjoy shaping and creating with clay. Playing with clay offers children the opportunity to develop their fine motor skills. Adults benefit from the therapeutic value. According to the counseling staff at Aurora University, for many adults, playing with clay is a stress-reduction therapy that can be used to promote a healthy heart lifestyle. Use a bit of brown polymer clay to mold a small monkey, and experience the many valuable benefits of this creative endeavor.
You can experiment with many colors, textures and shapes when you craft your own bugs out of clay. In nature, bugs are creepy crawly pests and few people want them in their homes. Clay bugs, though, can be beautiful and intricate creations that can even be sold online or at craft shows. Be creative when making your bugs, and don't limit yourself to the looks of real insects in the wild. Decorate your home with the sculptures, or create tiny bugs to adorn jewelry.
Clay is the perfect medium tn which to create whatever models you choose. Unfortunately, clay models will lose their shape over time. To counteract this and preserve your models, you'll have to permanently harden them by heating them in an oven. The heat dissolves the water inside the clay that would otherwise keep it malleable.
Play clay provides children with a medium they can sink their small hands into. It helps to develop their motor skills, creativity and their imaginations. While the cost of buying large amounts of ready-made clay can be prohibitive, you can make your own using ingredients you most likely have on hand. Considering that very small children put just about everything into their mouths, making your own play clay provides you with the added advantage of knowing that it contains nothing harmful. If the cooked play clay takes too long to make, try the uncooked version.
Amulets in Ancient Egypt were pieces of jewelry worn by both the living and the dead. The amulets were thought to provide protection against dangers or enhance the wearer's strength and fierceness, as the British Museum suggests. Ancient Egyptian amulets came in a variety of shapes and sizes, but a well-known design, still worn in the 21st century, is the "Ankh," an amulet resembling a cross with a loop on top. It is an uncomplicated design that you can create yourself at home, using polymer clay.
There are a variety of different play-clay recipes that can be found online and in children's craft books. These play clays can be made at home and in minimal time. Children old enough and mature enough will enjoy making this play clay with you -- or you can make it when they're in the other room. This play clay can save a rainy day by keeping your kids entertained for a long time.
Make a clay gargoyle like those found in architecture. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, gargoyles were first referred to as the carved lions on the sides of Roman structures that helped drain water away from the buildings. Later in the Middle Ages, the animals became grotesque looking. Sculpt a unique clay gargoyle to learn about how artists used exaggerated characteristics from many different animals to create these terrifying creatures. Use air-dry clay that does not need to be fired in a kiln to harden.
Clay can be a fun way for children to get creative. Clay helps younger children gain strength in their hands and prepares them for holding a pencil. It can also be used to make small pots, jewelry and make-believe toys, dolls and animals. Most homemade clay methods require flour, but you can make this clay without flour. This clay is pliable and it can be left to air-dry overnight to create a medium that you can paint.
Making casts of various parts of the body, as well as other items, is an exciting procedure that if done correctly, creates a very detailed replica of the object being cast. The casting solution is poured onto and around the item, left to cure, then quickly removed. With the clay compound poured into the mold and left to set, the replica of the body part or other object can be ready for use in less than two hours.
Make ocean waves using clay by first observing real waves. The waves you see in the ocean are created from winds transferred across the sea's surface. One method of constructing waves for a diorama or craft is to build up clay for the ocean. Then, waves are added on top depending on the height of the waves needed for the project. Use air-dry clay for this project because you do not need to fire it in a kiln.
Many animals grow antlers; these are often proudly displayed on the walls of hunters. If you want a set of antlers without having to kill an animal, you can make your own out of clay. For this project, you will use polymer clay, which is designed to be baked hard in your home oven. Polymer clay is available at most craft and hobby stores, and the rest of the materials required are likely already in your home.
Creating a clay emperor penguin depends on understanding the anatomical differences between these and other penguins. Emperor penguins remain in Antarctica year-round while other penguins migrate away during winter. They are able to survive the winter climate in part because they are larger, both in height and weight, than other penguins. Emperor penguins are black and white. The white extends down the belly and the fronts of the legs. The back, flippers, head, feet and beak are black. There are small patches of yellow on the sides of the head.
The cameo is a decorative piece of jewelry usually worn by women. The cameo was born some 300 years prior to the birth of Jesus in Alexandria, Egypt. The origins of the cameo began with ancient carving traditions of carving figures into stone. The most common cameo figure is a woman. Other cameo depictions include men, various gods and animals. Cameos were first carved in stone, but as time has passed, cameos carved in sea shells began in the 15th and 16th century. Make your own cameo using polymer clay.
A clay keychain is a versatile project that can fit any theme or topic. Clay keychains are an ideal project for children to make for gifts for Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and other holidays. Children can use their imaginations when creating and customizing the chains. Use air dry clay to eliminate the need for oven-baking. Make sure the clay has plenty of time to dry before the holiday to ensure the keychains are finished before the big event.
If you want to get creative and don't own a kiln, make clay ornaments using a shortbread mold. Homemade clay can be made with flour and a few other ingredients. By making your own flour-based clay, you will not release toxic chemicals in your stove that can be dangerous for future cooking. Decorate the clay with pre-existing patterns in your shortbread molds and use them for ornaments during the holiday season.
Around the edge of the Pacific Ocean is the Ring of Fire, an area where many of the Earth's tectonic plates meet; it's also the area that contains 90 percent of the volcanoes found on planet Earth. Volcanoes exist where tectonic plates meet because they are essentially routes for hot magma, volcanic ash and gas to escape from the Earth's interior. You can visualize a real volcano by making a model volcano with clay.
For millennia, people have been casting objects in clay and baking them to produce ceramic drinking vessels. In the last dozen centuries, this art evolved to a point of simplicity through the use of cut or slab clay. Whether baked in a kiln or air dried, people worldwide have made and hand painted tea cups of clay in this way. Making clay teacups from slab clay is an easy introduction to advanced ceramic pottery.
Clay refrigerators are still used by many people in rural areas and even offer some advantages to their electric counterpart in places where electricity is not reliable. Building a clay refrigerator involves making two clay pots, one of which fits inside the other. Sand inserted between the two pots acts as an insulator for food placed in the smaller pot.
Clay will become rock hard even without firing it when it is left out in the open. When this happens, clay appears to be as permanently shaped as a finished piece of pottery, but the hardened state due to natural drying is reversible. This is because clay is porous, which allows it to reabsorb water. The process is not intensive, but it is not instantaneous either and it takes several days to make the clay usable again.
Simulating a volcano eruption is a classic science project. It can teach students about both geology and chemistry. A bottle is used to simulate both the caldera, or crater, of the volcano and the magma chamber beneath it, while clay stands in for the earth and rock that forms the cone of a volcano.
Homemade clay is an inexpensive alternative to commercial clay. Using ingredients commonly found in most kitchens, homemade clay can be shaped into sculptures or rolled out on a floured board and pressed into holiday ornaments. Cornstarch dough is cooked before shaping, whereas flour-based dough is cooked after shaping. This is an activity that parents and grandparents can undertake with young children, who typically enjoy rolling their hands around in the dough and can't be hurt by tasting their clay before it's cooked. Keep child-safe paints and brushes on hand so youngsters can personalize their homemade clay creations.
While the base of a clay pot is not the most obvious feature, it is the foundation on which the pot stands. Clay pots made using the coil construction method always start with the base, since the coils are placed on top of this and built up. Whether or not the pot stands up straight or leans to one side depends on getting the base level.
Creating a clay landform helps kids learn about the earth's landscapes in a hands-on way. This project allows them to learn geography visually in three-dimensional form and gain knowledge about the shapes and purposes of each landform that they may otherwise be unable to grasp from reading in a textbook. No artistic experience is needed to create this display that will help children learn about and appreciate the physical features of the earth.
Modeling clay has been a favorite childhood pastime for many years; children love the sensation of molding the clay into different shapes and the process inspires creativity. Making your own modeling clay brings another delightful and stimulating aspect to the activity. Make modeling clay without ever having to put anything in the oven. You can make the clay with ingredients you probably already have at home.
Molding with clay benefits children and adults alike. Clay offers children the opportunity to develop their fine motor skills. Adults develop their sense of creativity and reduce stress through molding with clay. According to the counseling staff at Aurora University, playing with clay helps reduce stress and can be part of steps to maintain a healthy heart. Turn a clump of green clay into a crocodile and offer your body valuable benefits at the same time.
Air-Dry Clay is a product by Crayola that can be used to sculpt objects without the need for firing in a kiln. You can make a mask out of Air-Dry Clay by sculpting it onto a face form, which will guarantee that it has the correct shape and proportions to wear. You can sculpt this mask with your fingers, using a few sculpting tools to help you.
There's no need to purchase clay or modeling dough for your kids to play with. You can make your own air-hardening clay out of common household items. This homemade, kid-friendly clay is nontoxic and easy to work with. The recipe is simple enough that the kids can even help make the clay before playing with it. Air-drying clay, when moist, is easy to work with and mold into shapes. Once you or the kids have created a masterpiece, the creation can be left on the table to dry and harden on its own. There's no need for baking. This clay…
Clay is a great medium for children or beginner crafters. The material is flexible and mistakes are easily corrected. Dinosaur projects range from easy to complex, depending on the level of detail you wish to employ. Basic dinosaur shapes are easy to create with clay and can be painted after they dry. Decide what type of dinosaur you want to create before beginning and work at your own expertise level.
A clay volcano craft uses clay as the base of this landform, which is any type of physical feature on Earth. According to National Geographic, one of the most well-known volcano disasters was southern Italy’s Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., where roughly 16,000 people died. To examine the science of the spouting fire of volcanoes, use clay to form a shell of an experiment using baking soda and vinegar.
Building a teapot with clay coils allows for varied sculptural interpretations. These works can be fashioned into any stable shape that holds and pours liquid efficiently. As clay dries it loses moisture and becomes leather hard. All the components of a teapot need to dry at the same rate so they stay attached to each other. Plastic wrap helps to maintain even drying so the clay cures optimally. Slip is a glue-like substance made from clay and water. It is paramount in attaching teapot components together.
Fairies can cover a wide difference in size and shape. Some people imagine fairies to be little cute creatures, while others imagine larger, and meaner creatures. You can create either kind of fairy from polymer clay.
Several different types of clay are available to sculptors and crafters. Firing clays can be used to make ceramics and other decorative objects but require a kiln for baking. Water-based air dry clays can be used in various projects, but they come in a limited range of colors. Oil-based clays are frequently used by sculptors, but the clay objects need to be molded and cast in a permanent medium. Polymer clays come in numerous colors, can be painted, glazed or sanded and can conveniently be baked in a toaster oven. They are an excellent choice for various crafts projects.
A hand-made pendant suspended from a cord, chain or ribbon is a stunning fashion accessory. You can make a variety of polymer clay pendants in different sizes, colors and shapes to coordinate with your wardrobe. Mix colors and textures to create a multitude of styles for yourself and as gifts for family and friends. This style of clay pendant requires only a few tools and minimal experience to create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.
Clay animal figures can be made at home with your own homemade modeling clay or store-bought modeling clay. In order to create a clay figurine of an animal, such as a gorilla, there are several steps that need to be taken in order to create and mold your clay accordingly. In addition, the use of clay modeling tools and paint will help your clay model resemble a real gorilla.
You don't need a kiln to create a butter dish from clay. Polymer clay comes in a wide range of colors and can be baked in your home oven. You can mix several colors together to make unique patterns or choose colors to complement your other dishes. Make small patterns, like flowers or dots, in a differently colored clay and lay them on the surface of your rolled lay sheet. Use the rolling pin to roll them into the clay sheet. You can also press fabrics or other kitchen items onto the surface of the clay for a textured appearance.
Polyester is a type of polymer that's made of natural and synthetic materials. Like any type of polymer clay, polyester clay dries out and cracks if it isn't stored or prepared properly. Conditioning, or softening, the clay is typically done by working it with the hands. The warmth and oils produced by the hands alters the clay's texture, making it softer. Some polyester clays harden to the point of needing more complex softening methods.
Small, three-dimensional polymer clay sculptures are handy for creating numerous secondary craft items, such as Christmas ornaments or jewelry pendants. Using your hands, a small amount of clay and a spark of creativity, you can create your own sculptures in varying adorable shapes. Hang cartoon-like clay insects, such as bumblebees, in a mobile over an infant's crib, or attach them to metal stakes for use as garden ornaments. You can even use miniature bumblebees in children's hair accessories or as decorations for baked goods.
Self-hardening clay, also known as air-hardening or air-dry clay, is a type of modeling clay that doesn't need baking to harden. You can find this type of clay in modeling and stationery stores or create your own self-hardening clay, using 4 cups flour, 1 1/2 cup salt and 1 teaspoon of alum. Mixing those ingredients in a bowl and gradually adding 1 1/2 cup water gives you ready-to-use clay. This type of clay is suitable for making clay statues, but only if you keep them indoors, as rainwater can ruin them.
Clay is essentially mud from the ground and ancient peoples discovered that the material could be shaped and fired into vessels, utilitarian crafts and sculptures. According to the American Ceramics Society, the earliest known ceramics, or crafts made from clay, date back to 24,000 B.C. Make clay in the wild by uncovering natural clay deposits. Certain geographical areas, such as riverbeds, are bountiful with natural clay, and very little processing is needed to use it as you would with clay from an art store.
Clay is a versatile material that can be easily shaped or poured. The key to successful mold creation is using some sort of release substance to facilitate removing the model and later the objects molded. Whether you are making a small mold or a large mold, the process is the same but the portions will be different and large mold may require a more durable mold material. Carved hard-mill soap or wax make good models.
"Alxemy" is an online game that lets players combine two elements to create new elements. Players can then combine these new elements to create elements such as mud, sand, DNA and other types of elements. One material that can be tricky for many people to discover is the element of clay. It requires combining two of the four basic elements and then several of the resulting elements to create the necessary ingredients.
Most figures made from clay require hands of some kind. Hands can be one of the more challenging figures to make, regardless of the realism of the figure. The key to obtaining a natural-looking hand shape is to use real hands as a guide and never make the hands completely flat. Human hands always have a slight curve no matter the position. Use craft wire inside the hands to add stability and prevent the fingers from snapping off after baking.
Homemade air-dry clay is an economical option, if you don't want to spend money on crafts supplies. It's also useful if you don't have a firing kiln, which is a must for organic clay projects. Make air-drying clay using a few inexpensive ingredients from your kitchen. The clay you create is suitable for kids' projects, because it is nontoxic and dries quickly -- compared to commercial air-dry clays. So you can sculpt, paint and finish a project within one or two days.
Clay is an artistic medium that can be used to create a variety of items both practical and decorative. Ceramic clay can be molded into various shapes because of its plasticity, according to the International Ceramics Directory website. While clay can be molded without the use of tools, there are also techniques you can use to make precise objects or shapes such as an open circle.
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.
Almost anyone can make a box from clay in the comfort of their own home, and it is especially simple when you use air dry clay. Using air dry clay means that no baking or firing is necessary. Making a box from this type of clay also means that you do not need to learn how to use a potter's wheel, as it will be square. You can make boxes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, and decorate them any way you like.
Clay is a fantastic medium for children and adults to play with. Homemade clay can be made for an afternoon's entertainment or to make beautiful holiday decorations. Natural, homemade clay ensures that no one in your household will be in contact with toxic materials. A couple of recipes for homemade clays, made from items in your pantry, are natural and dry without the use of an oven or a kiln.
Thin sheets of clay are useful in jewelry making as you can layer different colors and create striped square beads or roll up different-colored layers to cut into beads with spiral-patterned centers. Thin sheets of clay are also ideal for creating decorative wall plaques or a cartouche. Baked sheets of clay remain flexible so they can be run through a printer, opening up limitless artistic possibilities for photo or art printing, or scrapbook layouts.
Clay masks absorb excess oil in the skin; and purify your pores through exfoliation and deep cleansing. You don't have to go to an expensive spa to get a clay mask. With the right ingredients these masks are easy to prepare at home. Bentonite clay is a potent detoxification agent, attracting and binding toxins, heavy metals and free radicals inside its expanding negatively charged structure. Bentonite additionally enhances blood circulation which helps repair damaged skin. Apply Bentonite clay masks to maintain a healthy and balanced complexion.
You do not have to run out to the store whenever your child is clamoring for a craft project to stay entertained indoors on a rainy day. With some basic cooking ingredients you can make your own modeling clay in your kitchen. This clay has a dense texture that is pliable enough for preschoolers to shape durable figures. You can leave the clay plain white or add food coloring to create different color variations. This recipe yields enough clay to keep your child occupied for hours.
Polymer clay is a fun and forgiving medium to work with. Projects big and small can be created from clay, and if you don't like what you've formed, just ball it up and reshape until you are happy. The miniature people, animals, fantasy creatures and more molded from clay are made even more endearing by the little details the artist applies to a piece, such as a crooked smile, curly-toed boots on an elf or a tiny wedding bouquet wrapped in a long, flowing ribbon tied in a bow.
A loved one’s clay handprint will serve as a treasured keepsake. A baby’s tiny handprint can be preserved in the clay and kept with the baby book for a memorable walk down memory lane after the baby grows up. A beloved grandmother’s clay handprint can serve as a tangible reminder of her gentle touch. Toddler-age children will enjoy making their very own clay handprint keepsake for display on the wall in their bedroom.
Making play dough is a rewarding activity for both parents and children. You can save money by creating your own children's toys while ensuring there are no harmful ingredients in the clay your children play with. Children love play dough, and it can keep them occupied for hours. Some recipes for play dough require you to cook the ingredients, while others don't. There are many different recipes for play dough, and some are made without oil.
Carving clay animals requires understanding some basic techniques of working with clay. One of these techniques is creating a fur texture. A fur texture will give your animal a look and feel that is more realistic than if your animal has no texture at all. Carving a fur texture is a relatively simple process that is only complicated by the time it takes to create. It requires making many small cuts into your clay throughout the length of your sculpture.
You can make a snake out of any kind of clay, but try air-drying clay or polymer clay to make reptilian creations that last. Air-drying clay can be painted, and polymer clay comes in a large range of vibrant colors. Learning to make a clay snake teaches young crafters how to work with clay; additionally, it is an easy task to succeed at that can bolster their confidence for more complex tasks. The clay snake can also be crafted into bowls or plates if coiled.
Adding the right ingredients, including time and weather, make the difference in how dark and which shade of henna stain you achieve. Essential oils, spices, herbs and chemicals are added to natural henna to achieve red, brown or golden colors that stain the skin, hair or other projects. Henna is used to make temporary tattoos that last up to 6 weeks on your skin or for mehendi ceremonies for Indian, Pakistani and other Asian ceremonies and holidays.
Homemade clay involves everyone in the household. The wonderful aroma of softened flour and vegetable oil creates a natural, moldable clay that can be made on a tight budget. This non-toxic homemade clay is perfect for small children who want to craft their own unique creations, which are then gently baked in the oven and cooled to keep precious keepsakes in tact.
Montmorillonite is a inorganic material included in the smectite group of minerals. The mineral takes its name from Montmorillon, a town in France located just south of the Loire Valley, where the mineral was first discovered. The full chemical composition of montmorillonite is hydrated sodium calcium aluminum magnesium silicate hydroxide, and the mineral belongs to the class of silicates. Montmorillonite is associated with other minerals such as clays, garnets, biotite and quartz.
Clay soil is not conducive for growing many varieties of vegetables or ornamental plants. Although clay has qualities that make it good for water and nutrition retention, these same qualities make it hard to drain and too compact for roots to develop. To grow any plants of value, it's necessary to change the composition and texture of your soil or make a clay breaker. To find the specific ingredients you'll need, take soil samples to a Cooperative Extension Office for evaluation.
Sea clay body wraps and masks have become popular among both men and women. There are many sea clays available for purchase, but you can make your own sea clay for less money and with few ingredients. There are several types of clay to choose from for your homemade masks and wraps.
Sculpting miniature figures to paint and decorate is a popular hobby that allows enthusiasts to engage in a creative activity -- one that also has the benefit of yielding a finished product to show off to friends and family. Keep in mind that practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to sculpting. But with a trip to your local craft and hobby store to collect supplies, you'll be well on your way to improving your skills.
Creating model heads for your figurines are the essential components for your clay animation movies. The trick to making a successful clay animation head is to attach each feature of the face as separate pieces. Placing the eyes and mouth onto the face with different pieces of clay, for example, allows you the opportunity to pull off each piece and manipulate it as necessary. Manipulating the clay results in changing the expression of your model.
Making miniature dishes from clay can help give a dollhouse or other decorative scene a personal touch. Simple modeling clay and an oven can give an artist the ability to create these tiny dishes. Teapots come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes; all have a body to hold the tea, a handle and a spout. Artists can create their teapots in whatever design they like to compliment the rest of the dollhouse's decor.
Santa, whether imaginary or real, is a character that adorns many shelves, tables and desks throughout the year. Santa may even go on vacation dressed in shorts, plaid shirts or a swimsuit. Learn to make a basic Santa with a red coat and hat, but feel free to change his clothing to represent any occasion. Make a Santa from Fimo clay that is approximately 3 inches tall.
Polymer clay is excellent for making small doll sculptures, whether they be fantasy characters or dolls that are more realistic-looking. Because the clay will harden permanently when baked, you can make durable pieces that will not fall apart or change shape and that can also be painted in whatever style you choose.
A stove made of clay presents many advantages over an open fire for cooking. Clay stoves reach cooking temperatures quicker, requiring only one-third of the firewood that an open fire needs to achieve the same cooking effect. They easily move from place to place. They also generate less smoke, which is beneficial for lung health. For these reasons, the stoves are highly popular in areas of the world where residents primarily cook over a fire, although anyone looking to enjoy a superior outdoor cooking experience would benefit from this tool.
Work with clay to make different items as an enjoyable craft hobby, expressing your own artistic abilities with this interesting medium. Make square plates and dishes with clay to create decorative wall plates or use as candy dishes or ornate fruit bowls. Design your own things, or make items pretty enough to give as gifts.
Wearing a ring on your finger can be one way to show off your personality, especially if you made the piece of jewelry yourself. While rings are traditionally made from metal like silver or steel, clay provides one of the easiest mediums from which to make your own. Using polymer clay to make the ring gives you a wide range of color choices. The product is readily available at most craft stores.
Decorating a mask with your child can be a great bonding experience. Masks are fun for Halloween costumes, costume parties and play-time. You might want to have your child invite friends from school over and make a day of it, letting everyone in on the fun.
Planning art time with kids is easy; learn how to make a basket clay figurine with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Spur on future artists with ease; learn how to make a basket clay figurine with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Spur on future artists with ease; learn how to make the face of a sheep clay figuring with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Learn how to make the head of a sheep clay figurine with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Planning art time with kids is easy; learn how to make the legs and bell of a sheep clay figuring with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Spur on future artists with ease; learn how to make a lady bug clay figurine with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Planning art time with kids is easy; learn how to make the body of a sheep clay figurine with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Planning art time with kids is easy; learn how to make a the body and head of an elephant clay figuring with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Spur on future artists with ease; learn how to make a the trunk and ears of an elephant clay figurine with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Planning art time with kids is easy; learn how to make a the tusks, eyes and tail of an elephant clay figurine with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Spur on future artists with ease; learn how to make a clay figurine bear face with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Planning art time with kids is easy; learn how to make a clay figurine bear, the legs and paws, with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Learn how to make a clay figurine fruit for a tree with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Planning art time with kids is easy; learn how to make a clay figurine tree with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
Spur on future artists with ease; learn how to make a grass base for clay figurines with children in this free online instructional arts and crafts video.
