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Crafting With Air Dry Clay

I've been to our local festival The Fling a few year's running now, and always slightly envied the work going on in the creative tent, and all the impressive clay sculptures drying in the festival sunshine. Although I had polymer clay when I was younger, it's been a long time since I've held proper clay in my hands, and never at home. After seeing other people's work though I thought it would be fun to have a go, and was lucky enough to get that opportunity recently.

Trinket Bowl - copyright These City Days

Baker Ross sent me a box full of goodies as part of their adult blogger network project, and I received their clay modelling pack, which contained 3 different types of air dry clay, modelling tools, and a good size, good quality splash mat. First impressions were good. Although I don't think I'd think of buying all of those things if I was out shopping for materials myself  - I tend to buy one or two things just to experiment with when I am bored - I like the idea of having all you need in one package, and the price is good value for what you get in your box. In fact I think clay modelling is probably more affordable than a lot of other crafts, and everyone can get involved.



Staring at the clay, was like staring at a blank canvas though, and I didn't have a clue where to start. I also had a set of 14 numbered tools, with no real idea of what they were for. I was determined not to look up much to start with, and just find my own way, and did discover which clays are better for cutting, and figured out what a few of the tools do, so I didn't fair too badly.


Also found that each pack of clay had quite different textures - the coloured clay was quite rubbery, the grey clay could crumble if left out/unworked for too long, and was the wettest, while the white clay I could shape and reshape for a lot longer.

I've just been testing the water at the moment to see what things look like, how they fair painted, and how stable they are (not road tested the ring yet) so my results are pretty rustic, but I am quite pleased for a first go. The Superclay colours are pretty light as well, so I think they could be used to embellish all sorts of things, and not just moulded and used on their own.



Other items used in my experimenting include Baker Ross paper, porcelain pens, and self adhesive gems and pearls, all of which can be found on their website.

One of my bug bears sometimes is every new craft needing a whole new set of tools - we can't make this without buying that - I'm pretty fussy about what I invest in so I like the fact that I don't need much else once I have the initial pack here, and I know my nephew will love playing with the clay (if there's any left) when he is a bit older. Perhaps for those who like/want some project ideas there may be potential to offer smaller themed bundles (flowers - Christmas) with accessories and the odd idea to get started.

Have you done anything impressive with clay? would love to hear about it or have a nosey at your own crafting/making. All comments will be returned with a These City Days virtual high five, so please do come and say hi.

* I was sent these products as part of the Baker Ross Adult Blogger Network, but all opinions are my own.



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