Air-dry clay is not ceramic. It doesn't go in a kiln, and the finished piece is not the same as stoneware or earthenware pottery.
Drying
- Work on a covered surface and keep unused clay wrapped tightly so it doesn't dry out.
- Leave finished pieces to dry slowly at room temperature, away from direct sun, heaters and draughts. Fast drying is the usual reason pieces crack.
- Thin pieces may feel dry in a day or two. Thicker work can take several days, sometimes longer. Turn the piece gently if you can so it dries evenly.
- It is fully dry when it is light, hard, and no longer cool to the touch.
Sealing
- Once completely dry, you can paint with acrylics and, if you like, seal with a water-based varnish.
- Sealing can help with dust and light moisture, but it does not make a piece watertight or food-safe.
Please don't
- Don't use air-dry pieces for food or drink, even if they are painted or sealed.
- Don't soak them, leave them in water, or use them as vases without a separate waterproof insert — they can soften, leak or crack.
- Don't put them in the oven, microwave, dishwasher or kiln unless a specific product you add later says otherwise. The clay in our kits is air-dry.
If a piece cracks while drying, it can often be smoothed or used as a decorative fragment. Take it slowly. That's the point.