Modeling Clay Products

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Modeling Clay for Kids

There are basically three types of modeling clay available. The first type never dry out, the second type air dry and the third type are cooked in an oven.

Some are better for fine, detailed work than others. Note that some brands of modeling clay do stain and will not come out of carpets if ground in. Use all modeling clays on a hard smooth surface.

Plasticine® is a registered trademark of the Bluebird toy company of the United Kingdom. It is an oil based modeling clay that never dries and is sold in one pound packs, as well as smaller kits. Plasticine® never dries and is not meant for baking. It is quite stiff when cold but easier to manipulate after being used for a while. Give younger children smaller pieces rather than one big chunk.
Crayola® Model Magic® modeling compound is a non-toxic modeling material that is easily manipulated and joined to make any form or shape. Lightweight, clean and resilient, Crayola® Model Magic® modeling compound is non-crumbling and non-staining, and it doesn't cling to skin or room surfaces. Crayola® Model Magic® can be attached to plastic, wood, cardboard and other materials. It is available in various colors and is easy to paint after it has dried for 24 hours. Crayola® compound dries to a resilient consistency within 24-36 hours, without kiln firing.
Play-Doh® can be purchased in kits like the one in the picture or in individual cans. Playdoh®" is an air-drying modeling clay great for using again and again if kept in its sealed containers. It is not good for small fine work that needs to be dried as it tends to crack as it dries. Bake at a low temperature (200 degrees) if you want to preserve any creations. Playdoh tends to crack when baked and other compounds are better for this purpose. Baked items will probably break if played with. The compound is non-toxic, non-irritating & non-allergenic except for children who are allergic to wheat gluten, as they may have an allergic reaction to this product.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay® is a fine, natural white earth clay that air dries to a hard solid. Softens easily with water and quickly cleans from hands and surfaces Can be painted with tempera, acrylic or watercolors when dry. Easy-to-use, nontoxic white clay that makes solid, durable forms without need for baking in an oven or firing in a kiln. Easy to use with traditional modeling techniques, easy to clean up. Air-Dry Clay is smoother, finer and less sticky than traditional clay.
Sculpey Sculpey Original Clay® This white clay is soft and pliable, works and feels like ceramic clay, but will not dry out when exposed to air. Bake and once cool it can be sanded and painted with water based acrylics or Sculpey brand glaze. Perfect for everything from molded items to free form jewelry pieces; figurines; ornaments and scrapbooking embellishments. Shape; bake and once cool can be sanded; drilled; carved; glued; inked; painted with water based acrylics or Sculpey Brand Glaze. Made in USA.
Terra Cotta - Sculpey Original® Same as above but in terra cotta, soft and pliable, works and feels like ceramic clay, but will not dry out when exposed to air. Bake and once cool it can be sanded and painted with water based acrylics or Sculpey® brand glaze. Perfect for everything from molded items to free form jewelry pieces; figurines; ornaments and scrapbooking embellishments. Shape; bake and once cool can be sanded; drilled; carved; glued; inked; painted with water based acrylics or Sculpey Brand Glaze. Made in USA.
Bake & Bend Sculpey Kit® can be kneaded, shaped, rolled and cut like any other polymer clay. After you bake this clay it becomes flexible; bendable and it always snaps right back! Step-by-step instruction with easy to follow directions are included. Non-toxic

Homemade Bread Clay

This homemade recipe takes a bit of effort to make, but is smooth and pliable to work with. It will not crack like some homemade play dough when it dries. It will keep in the fridge for quite a while if sealed in plastic bags. It has to be baked in the oven or air-dried before painting.

Materials:

8 slices day-old white bread
8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) white glue

Remove the crusts from the bread and tear the slices into small pieces.
Pour the white glue over the bread and mix with the hands.
At first the mixture will be extremely sticky.
Knead the dough vigorously for about 5 minutes until smooth and velvety. Be sure to knead for a full five minutes as the texture of the dough changes dramatically in this time.
At this point the dough should no longer stick to the fingers but if it does wash hands and apply a little hand lotion and knead some more.
If properly kneaded, the mixture should now form a smooth ball.
Store tightly in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Coloring the Dough

Liquid food colors can make the dough too sticky, but paste colors work well
Knead into the dough

Working the Dough

This dough dries out quickly so take only what you need out of the plastic bag
Model on a hard surface
Allow for shrinkage when cooked, so make impressions slightly deeper than needed
When joining pieces wet the underside of each piece slightly so it adheres well

Drying and Baking

The dough can be air-dried or baked
Place on tin-foil before baking
Bake at 200 degrees and check often

Finishes

Paint with poster paints, watercolors, acrylics, etc.
Do not soak with water

Recipe and hints from Decorations for Holidays and Celebrations by Barbara B. Stephan, published by Crown Publishers, 1978

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