Dala Air-Drying clay is a really fun and easy-to-use product suitable for school projects, students and artists. Because it does not have to be baked in a kiln like classic potters’ clay or porcelain, it makes it the perfect clay to use at home or in the studio! The clay simply dries on its own when left out in the open and usually take about 24 hours to dry completely depending on the size and thickness of the clay used.
To use Dala Air-Drying clay, simply open the packet (and then reseal what you won’t be using in an air tight container or bag to ensure it doesn’t dry out) and start working or kneading your clay. If you find it starts to dry out too much you can add a little bit of water until you are happy with the consistency. You can create all sorts of shapes and forms using this clay and might find different tools helpful when modelling, such as sculpting tools – or even common household objects such as cutlery and toothpicks. If you are creating a fairly large sculpture it is a good idea to create a skeleton structure first using wire or chicken mesh. This will help you save on clay and also help to reduce the chance of your work cracking. You will also find this will greatly speed up the drying time!
When you are finished creating your masterpiece, simply place on a nonporous surface (so it doesn’t stick!) and allow to dry over at least 24 hours. While it’s drying do not touch or move it as this could lead to cracking. A cool, dry area out of direct sunlight is the ideal place for it to dry. Once your piece is completely dry you can decorate with whatever tickles your fancy – glue on googly eyes, rhinestones, feathers or simply create a design with with acrylic paints and finish with a final coat of varnish to give it some protection.
Buy Dala Air-Drying Clay in our online store now.
Hi I bought some clay from a craft shop as im making some fairy lamps the base is a coke plastic bottle then you cover it with Darla clay
But as i let this dry it all started to crack all over befor i could finish it so what can i do to fix this please send me some ideas
Thank you
Hi Charmaine
Thank you for your message. With this kind of project, based on the video tutorials we’ve seen, it’s best to rather use a paper-based clay. However, in the video we liked best (click here to view), they talk about using Das Modelling Material, which is not a paper-based clay, and they seemed to get a good result. We stock both the Das and a Jovi paper clay – for the former it’s R110/kg and for the latter it’s R48.90/170g.
If you would strongly prefer to use the Dala clay, we would recommend starting over, and preparing the bottle surface by sanding it down to give the clay a better chance to stick onto it.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask and we would be more than happy to help.
Warm regards and all the best with your project
Megan
Hi there, can this clay be used for outdoor projects? If not, what would you recommend please? I’m making cement garden sculptures and would like a clay of some kind to add accents to the sculptures.
Hi Liezel
Air drying clays are a not as robust as other polymer or kiln fire clays. Although you can use them for outdoor projects, you would have to weather seal air drying clay with a sealant like Podge or a weather resistant varnish to keep them from deteriorating.
Air drying clay also becomes more brittle the thinner your application. So if you were to add fine details and accents to your cement sculpture, I would not recommend it.
We do however stock a product called Milliput which is superb for fine detail and modelling work. We currently have a few boxes of Milliput Standard 114g in stock at R193.20 per pack.
I hope this information helps. 🙂
You can send us a mail on hello@deckleedge.co.za if you would like to place an order or need any more information.
Hi can jou please tell me what clay to use for molds, i try to use air dry clay but it does not work.
Hi Marianne
What kind of molds are you wanting to make? What would you like to cast in them?
You can send me a mail on hello@deckleedge.co.za with what you would like to achieve in your project and I will be happy to recommend some goodies we have to help you achieve your goals.
Best,
Adam
Could you use air drying clay for making small plant pots?
Hi Gary
You can use the air dry clay to make small plant pots. The clay will have to be sealed with a waterproof varnish or paint however to prevent the clay from absorbing water and becoming soft again.