[Grace] resin-like clay

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Sealing air-dry clay is a simple process. To help you achieve sterling results applying varnish to your air-dry clay projects, we offer this simple guide to success. Air-dry clay offers more glazing options than polymer clay or traditional clay that you would use for pottery or ceramics. Unlike, polymer clay, air-dry clay is not sensitive to the components used in aerosols, or oil-based varnishes. EnviroTex Lite Epoxy Resin Air-dry clay doesn’t need a kiln to cure; it dries by allowing the moisture in the clay to evaporate naturally in the air. Unfortunately, this means that if the clay is reintroduced to moisture, it will become soft again. As such, air dry clay isn’t naturally waterproof. Also known as Kato Liquid or Kato Sauce, this liquid has the consistency and appearance of thinned white glue. To use as a varnish, apply a very thin coat with your finger or a brush. Allow to level, then bake. After baking, you will need to use a heat gun to make the thin layer of clay crystal clear and shiny. Fimo Liquid

Now that we’ve discussed a little bit about the natural state of air-dry clay and warned you against using it as a material to serve food with, let’s get into the methods for making air-dry clay water-resistant. 1. Varnish

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Our next consideration is the look that you want pieces to have. Sealants come in a variety of finishes with; Now, start heating your oven. Be sure that it is set on bake, not broil, and the thermostat is no higher than 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 Celsius). Again, we can not overstress the importance of not exceeding these temperature settings. Doing so can result in personal injury, damage to your home, and the loss of your work. The short answer is no, you do not need to seal your clay. Air-dry clay is fine left uncoated as long as it is kept dry and in a location with relatively low humidity. Poly clays when baked are in essence plastic and very durable, and ceramic clays, once fired, basically turn to stone. Polymer clay is not glossy after baking. You can sand, buff, and polish the clay itself (see below), or you can apply a glossy varnish. To make your clay project less shiny, you could apply a matte varnish. Note that adding a glossy varnish can make translucent polymer clay seem more clear. Just like wetting a beach pebble, a glaze or varnish can make clay appear brighter and/or more translucent. Varnishes As stated, you will need nothing to bake the clay that you probably don’t already have in your home.

When varnishing flat pieces, our choice is most often spraying. Once you develop the technique it is really fast and easy to do. The secret is using long sweeping strokes. It’s best to push the stone down so that its broadest part is flush with the clay. I found out the hard way that if the stone sits above the surface of the clay it will catch on your clothing later and come out with a ping! However don’t press it in below the surface of the clay or the stone’s light-catching abilities will be reduced and that would be a great shame as these little beauties can REALLY sparkle. I’m very sad to say that at this point of my Crystal Clay experience I ran out of blanks to fill but still had lots of clay and stones left over. It’s been a week or more since I was last able to set crystals into clay and I now find myself looking around the house for things to cover in clay and sparkle up. It doesn’t just have to be jewellery items. Fridge magnets? Mobile phone covers? I need to do more. Now…..where’s the cat?….he’s been looking rather dull of late….. If satisfied with the appearance of your project after the initial coat of sealer, apply further coats to achieve the look you are looking for. Another thing to think about is how you will apply the finish to your projects. The three most commonly used methods for sealing air dry clay are by spraying, brushing, or with a sponge.

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While not strong enough to display outside without an additional sealer, acrylic paints work great for decorative pottery you plan to display inside your home. All types of finishes can be applied with a sponge. We like this method for projects that have flowing lines and organic curves. It works best with thinner sealers that absorb well into the sponge and flow evenly. Liquid epoxy resin is the best sealant if you’re looking for a high level of protection. It will provide the strongest water-resistance and keep your pottery safe from outdoor weather damage. Common brands of UV resin are Lisa Pavelka’s Magic Glos and this really fast-curing resin from China (their branding needs some work, but we all recognize that label design). Many people also love to use UltraDome resin, but I’ve not tried it. This UV resin from China sets up extremely fast and is very hard. It also smells really bad. But it is a very good doming resin. Epoxy Resin