Modeling clay is the most fun to “play” with. From faux beads to small figurines to plaques to Christmas ornaments to adornments for collages or scrapbook pages: every crafter can find an application for clay. Home cured modeling clays, which you air dry or cure in your oven at low temperatures, are safe and easy to work with and are some of the most affordable crafting ingredients available.

Here are some simple craft ideas to consider:

With a few basic shapes (ball, cane, pear, teardrop) you can create almost anything. You can make clay molds; and then use the molds to recreate a design over and over.

You can stamp impressions into clay; color it; texturize it; carve it.

You can make it look like almost any hard substance from stone to marble to wood to bone.

I made a necklace and earring set using an antique Chinese “Prosperity” coin. The faux coral and jade beads were made with Sculpey polymer modeling clay. Using some paint and mottling techniques, the beads actually resemble real coral and jade.

The leading polymer clay brands are Sculpey and Fimo. I prefer Sculpey because I think it’s easier to work with. However, these observations apply to any brand of polymer modeling clay. Pieces are cured in your home oven on low heat in just 15 minutes. Polymer clays have very long shelf life and are stored simply by wrapping in plastic and keeping in a cool, dark place. I’ve never had any harden in storage but if you do, there are diluents to make the clay workable again.

Cornstarch Based Modeling Clays:

There are many variations of cornstarch based modeling clays. Some of the most popular are cold porcelain clay, Victorian salt clay, and pasta francesa. I like the porcelain designation because cornstarch clays are pure white and, if sealed after drying, actually resemble fine porcelain, opening the possibility for many craft ideas and projects. They require cooking to prepare. Cornstarch clays containing salt tend to be more porous than others. Cornstarch modeling clays air dry; but drying can be accelerated in a warm oven. The shelf life varies from one week to one month depending on the ingredients, storage temperature and humidity. Expect up to 30% shrinkage.

Bread Based Modeling Clays:

Bread based modeling clays do not require cooking; they air dry; and will keep up to three weeks in the refrigerator. Shrinkage can be up to 50%. The “no cooking or baking required” aspect makes bread clays the perfect choice for craft projects to do with your kids.

Craft ideas would include: Christmas Ornaments, clay Halloween pumpkins and similar projects. Cookie cutters work great with this type of dough. Just add a little paint or glitter and you're done.

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