Are you tired of going to the fine art store or stationery shop to buy expensive polymer clay? Know that you can make it at home with simple ingredients, including corn starch, as described in this article. Homemade polymer clays dry in the air, so they must not be baked in the oven to harden. Although some recipes do not produce a material similar to that sold in stores, the clay you will get will still be perfect for modeling objects, if prepared and manipulated correctly.
A clarification: the product of these recipes is not exactly polymer clay. Real polymer clay is based on polyvinyl chloride and petroleum derivatives and can only be made following a strict protocol. Real polymer clay does not dry out or harden in the air, as it happens with housewives. For this reason, any clay created at home cannot be polymeric.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: With Glue and Corn Starch
Step 1. Use this recipe to prepare the home version of clay
This product behaves quite similarly to commercial clays, but may shrink (which is not the case with polymer clays). Clay can lose up to 30% of its weight, but not its volume. You need to be aware of this when using it for your creative projects.
It is worth modeling the object in larger dimensions than the final ones, in order to compensate for the reduction
Step 2. Pour 180ml of glue and 140g of cornstarch into a non-stick pan
At this stage you can leave the pot on the kitchen counter or place it on the stove that is off. Stir carefully to combine the ingredients.
The vinyl glue is perfect for this preparation, although you can use the normal "school" glue instead. Normal glue produces a slightly weaker clay than that obtained with vinyl
Step 3. Add 30ml of mineral oil and 15ml of lemon juice
Keep stirring until the mixture becomes homogeneous. If you can't get mineral oil, you can use baby oil or liquid petroleum jelly.
If you wish, add a few drops of food coloring or acrylic paint to color the clay. Do not overdo the color, otherwise you will also change the texture of the product. You can make the shades brighter by coloring the object once it is dry
Step 4. Transfer the pot to the stove
Simmer the contents over low heat without ever stopping stirring to keep the mixture liquid. Do not let the mixture remain stationary, otherwise you will compromise the integrity of the clay consistency.
Step 5. Continue stirring until the mixture looks like mashed potatoes
At this point you can remove the pan from the stove and place it on a flat, cold surface.
Consider placing a trivet or cloth on the kitchen counter to protect it from the hot pot
Step 6. Add a drop of mineral oil to the soft clay
In this way, your hands will be covered with it when you go to knead the clay, which will not stick.
Step 7. Transfer the clay to the work surface and knead it
You should do this while it is very hot, as long as you can handle the temperature with your hands.
You can use rubber or gardening gloves to protect your hands
Step 8. Knead the clay until it becomes smooth
The consistency should be similar to that of pizza dough, once all the ingredients are well blended. When you're done, shape the mixture into a ball.
Step 9. Store the clay in a sealable bag and in the refrigerator
To keep it cool and prevent it from hardening, try to get as much air out of the bag as possible before closing it.
If the mixture is still hot, place it in the bag, but leave the bag slightly open. Once the clay is completely cold, you can seal the container and place it in the fridge
Step 10. Use clay to create objects
Now that you have the dough, you can shape it as you like. It is worth spreading a little cream on your hands beforehand to easily manipulate the product.
- Let your creation dry in the open air for at least 24 hours or more, if it is not yet dry.
- Paint the object as you want. Tempera colors are great, but you can use any paint you like.
- You should also paint those areas that you want to keep white, otherwise they will become transparent.
Method 2 of 4: With Glue and Glycerin
Step 1. Use this recipe to produce a clay that does not crack
In this method, a high proportion of glue is used, which makes the dough more sticky but resistant to cracks. Glycerin contributes to the stability of the final product.
- Objects made with this clay dry faster, it only takes 30 minutes.
- However, after following the recipe, you will have to wait at least one night (preferably a week) before using the clay, so it will be less sticky.
Step 2. Put on some old clothes and an apron
This way your garments will stay clean and tidy throughout the process.
Step 3. In a non-stick pan, mix the water and the glue and boil the mixture for 2 minutes
For this recipe you need 120ml of water and 500ml of wood glue. Boil the two ingredients without stopping stirring for two minutes and then remove the pan from the heat.
You can use any type of white school glue, but wood glue is more suitable because it is stronger
Step 4. Mix the cornmeal with 60 ml of water in a bowl and then pour it into the mixture
Mix the ingredients carefully.
- Cover the dough with cling film while it cools.
- If you have decided to use food coloring, add 1-2 drops and adjust the amount according to your needs. Alternatively, you can color the clay once it is dry.
Step 5. Sprinkle a work surface with cornmeal
Remove the dough from the pan and work it carefully. Knead it by adding more flour until it becomes less sticky.
Step 6. Stop when the clay has become smooth and moldable
Your goal is to turn corn gluten into a pliable dough. At this point the clay is ready to use.
Step 7. Store it in an airtight bag to prevent it from drying out until you are ready to use it
Method 3 of 4: Unbreakable Clay
Step 1. Follow this recipe if you want a very robust clay
The ingredients are always the traditional ones, but the result is a clay that does not break even if it falls from a meter in height.
Step 2. Combine all the ingredients (except the corn starch) in a non-stick pan and put it on a low heat
You will need 250ml of vinyl glue, 7g of stearic acid, 22g of glycerin, 22ml of petroleum jelly and 7g of citric acid. Stir the mixture to get a homogeneous consistency.
Use the lowest possible flame to heat the pan
Step 3. Add the cornstarch a little at a time without stopping mixing
Slowly add 90 g of starch to avoid forming lumps and continue stirring until you are able to detach the clay from the pot.
The mixture will become increasingly sticky and later it will be heavy and difficult to mix; however, you must continue to work it until the clay comes off the pot
Step 4. Knead the mixture for 20 minutes
Place it on a surface covered with parchment paper. It should be very hot, sticky and a bit lumpy. Knead it for 20 minutes or until all the lumps have disappeared and the clay will have a smooth and non-sticky consistency.
Wait for it to cool down a bit, if it is still very hot when you have finished kneading it
Step 5. Store it in a sealed plastic bag
That way it won't get hard before you can use it. Remember to expel all the air from the bag before closing it. Use clay for your creations and paint it with acrylic colors.
Method 4 of 4: Cold Porcelain
Step 1. Use this method if you want to make a traditional product from Latin America
This is a very popular recipe for making useful clay. Some recipes indicate adding 10% formaldehyde, but in this version this ingredient is replaced by white vinegar to obtain a non-toxic and safe version.
Step 2. Mix the corn starch with water and glue inside a Teflon-coated pan
First, pour in 120ml of water and 180g of starch and heat them over low heat until the powder dissolves completely. At this point you can incorporate 250 ml of glue.
Step 3. Pour the glycerin, cream and vinegar into the pan, stirring
You will need 22 g of glycerin, the same amount of cream with lanolin and 22 ml of vinegar. Continue cooking over low heat while stirring constantly, until a firm paste forms that comes off the pan.
- Be very careful not to overcook the clay, otherwise it will become hard.
- Glycerin is a fairly common component in baked goods and you should be able to find it in supermarkets on the cake shelves.
- The cream with lanolin is available in the personal hygiene sector, always in the supermarket.
Step 4. Work the dough with your hands greased with lotion
Wait for the clay to cool by covering it with a damp cloth. When you can tolerate the temperature, knead it until it's smooth. You can already style it as you like.
- Wait for the creation to air dry for at least 3 days.
- You can use oil paints or acrylics to paint your creation once it is dry.
Step 5. Keep the clay in the cling film
Store it in a cool dark place.
Advice
- Keep the clay that dries in the air in airtight containers or plastic bags when you are not using it, otherwise it dries and hardens, albeit slowly.
- Prepare these clays in advance and keep them handy to create art projects with the children; these non-toxic, easy-to-shape materials are perfect for their little hands.
- Wait at least 3 days for the clay to dry completely before painting it. Some clays dry quickly, especially if they are not too dense. Drying is faster if you leave the creation in a warm, dry area and perhaps in front of a fan. The drying in the oven is too sudden and could break the clay.
- Corn starch-based clays are sometimes referred to as "cold porcelain". On the market you can find different versions, but some are homemade. Cold porcelain can also be prepared in the microwave.
