How to Make Japanese Air-Dry Clay at Home

Air-dry clay isn't made from traditional clay, but it's still affordable and simple to prepare. If you're looking to learn how to make air-dry clay, read this guide from Mytour to get started.

• 1 cup (120 g) cornstarch or corn flour • 1 cup (240 ml) white glue or clear glue • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) baby oil or olive oil • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice or vinegar • Lotion (optional)

Trộn 1 cốc (120 g) tinh bột ngô và 1 cốc (240 ml) keo sữa. Trộn trong bát dùng được trong lò vi sóng.

Thêm 2 thìa canh (30ml) dầu em bé và 2 thìa canh (30 ml) nước cốt chanh. Bạn có thể thay thế bằng các nguyên liệu khác được liệt kê ở phần trên. Trộn cho đến khi hỗn hợp không còn lợn cợn.

• Nước chanh không phải là nguyên liệu thiết yếu để tạo thành kết cấu của hỗn hợp, nhưng bạn thực sự nên dùng, vì nó giúp ngăn ngừa nấm mốc.

Luân phiên đun và khuấy hỗn hợp trong lò vi sóng từng đợt 15 giây. Đun hỗn hợp trong lò vi sóng từng đợt 15 giây và lấy ra khuấy giữa mỗi đợt. Tuỳ vào công suất của lò vi sóng, bước này mất khoảng 3-5 lần, mỗi lần 15 giây.

• Hỗn hợp sẽ bắt đầu vón cục khi được đun nóng. Bạn nên cố gắng khuấy càng kỹ càng tốt giữa những lần đun trong lò vi sóng.
• Khi hỗn hợp trở nên dính và lổn nhổn là đã được. Bạn sẽ dễ nhận biết hơn sau khi đã làm qua một lần.
• Đun non lửa một chút thì tốt hơn là đun quá lửa, vì như vậy sẽ dễ chữa hơn.

Thoa lotion lên bàn tay và mặt bàn nhào đất sét. Lotion sẽ giúp chống dính. Bạn có thể tranh thủ chuẩn bị bề mặt làm việc trong thời gian đun hỗn hợp trong lò vi sóng.

Knead the mixture until it cools down. Remove the hot mixture from the bowl and begin kneading.

• Typically, it will take about 10-15 minutes for the mixture to cool to room temperature. You will need to knead the dough during this time.

Wrap the mixture tightly and let it sit for 24 hours. Use plastic wrap to cover the air-dry clay mixture. Store it in a dry, cool place for 24 hours.

• You can apply lotion to the plastic wrap to prevent sticking.
• For easy wrapping, form the mixture into a log shape and wrap the plastic around it, twisting the ends to secure.
• The refrigerator is a suitable place for storage, but any location without direct sunlight, high temperatures, or humidity will work.

Check the consistency of the mixture. After letting it rest for a day, take the dry clay out to assess its texture. Now is the time to use it.

• Gently pinch a piece of clay. A good batch of clay should form a droplet shape, stretching and tearing apart as you pull.
• If it seems sticky inside, you need to knead in more cornstarch.
• If it’s brittle and dry inside, you might have overcooked it. Try adding a bit of oil or starting a new batch with a lower heat and combining both batches.

Mix the ingredients in a saucepan. Add 1 cup (120 g) cornstarch or corn flour, 1 cup (240 ml) white glue, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into the pan.

Stir the mixture on low heat for 10-15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat when the mixture starts to pull away from the sides of the pan. Once finished cooking, the mixture should resemble fresh cheese.

Knead the mixture until it cools down. Wait a little for the mixture to cool enough to handle, then knead continuously until it reaches room temperature.

Store in an airtight container. Use a resealable plastic bag or plastic wrap to keep the clay in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight.

Use the clay after letting it rest for 24 hours. After this time, you can adjust the consistency of the clay by kneading in more oil or cornstarch to fix any issues of brittleness or stickiness.

Mix clay with oil paints or acrylics. If you want colored clay, knead your chosen color into the clay thoroughly before you start shaping it.

• You can add the color during the initial kneading process, but this may reduce the strength of the clay.

Knead small portions of clay before shaping. Each time you use a new piece of clay, knead it to increase its elasticity.

Shape the clay into your desired form. Well-kneaded and carefully worked clay is easier to mold and can be used to create intricate designs.

Use water to bond clay pieces together. To join two pieces of clay, press them together and smooth the seam with a wet finger.

• Dried clay pieces can be bonded using regular adhesive.

Use a core for large clay pieces. Air-drying clay shrinks significantly as it dries, and large pieces might not dry fully inside. Instead, wrap the clay around another material to form the core.

Wait for the final piece to dry. Air-drying clay does not require firing and will harden simply by being left to dry in the air.

• The drying time largely depends on the size of the piece, the temperature, and the humidity. You should check the piece periodically until it becomes firm.

Apply a protective layer to the air-drying clay. Without a protective coating, your creation may become soft when exposed to heat or water. However, it’s still best to keep the finished piece in a cool, dry place when possible.

• There are many types of coatings and paints available for clay, including glossy or matte finishes. A clear acrylic coating is a simple option.

• Store unused clay in a cool, dry, and airtight place.
• To fix cracks in air-dried clay, mix white glue with water in a 1:1 ratio and smooth the mixture onto the crack with your finger.
• You can use air-drying clay on a low heat to create textures like frosting for decorating clay cakes.
• If you plan to make a lot of air-dried clay, it’s a good idea to get a dedicated pot and tools for safety.
• Air-drying clay is safe for children, as long as the paint used for the sculpture is non-toxic.

• The process of making air-drying clay will dirty pots and tools. Be sure to wash everything before the mixture dries, and avoid using your most beautiful tools.
• You must use cornstarch or corn flour. You cannot use flour or any other type of starch.
• The clay will be very hot after cooking.

• Microwave-safe bowl
• Mixing tools
• Plastic wrap
• Microwave or pot