Making homemade clay can be a fun project, and there are many practical tips for making the process easy, including those that involve researching one's options on the Internet. There are many different recipes that allow a person to choose the right clay for his project; select the colors he wants; and in some cases, even make clay without going out to buy anything. Additionally, some of the best tips are those that recommend using non-toxic ingredients and preparing in advance for an easy cleanup.
There are many options to consider when making homemade clay. There is more than one way to make clay at home, and a person can typically find many different recipes on the Internet. As such, he can search and choose one based the type of clay he wants to make. For instance, he may want an air-dry clay versus one that dries when baked — he might even want to add color to his clay for some projects rather than leaving it a natural color. Additionally, he can compare recipes based on the materials he already has on hand, which may make the process easier since he won't have to shop first.
Another tip for making homemade clay is to use non-toxic substances to add coloring to it. Many people add food coloring or colored powdered drink mixes to produce the colors they want in their clay. Since food coloring is safe for eating, it is also considered safe for clay, even when small children will use it for craft projects. A person can also use paint to color clay, though this is often accomplished after the clay has dried. For example, a person can create a vase out of clay, allow it to dry, and then finish by painting it.
Good preparation can make cleaning up easier, and as such, some of the best tips for making homemade clay also involve proper preparation. For example, a person may do well to protect surfaces with newspaper, drop cloths, or even plastic bags. One of the best things about taking this step is the fact that it makes cleanup easy, as an individual can just wrap up the mess and dispose of it. If the surfaces have been well protected, it may not even prove necessary to wipe the surfaces underneath. Additionally, people are often advised to take extra care with food coloring, which can stain some surfaces and fabrics.
