What Is The Best Brand Of Air Dry Clay?
Air dry clay is a modeling material that hardens naturally over time when exposed to air. It is widely used for crafting, sculpting, and creating decorative objects. Unlike traditional clay that requires firing in a kiln, air dry clay simply dries by evaporation. Popular uses of air dry clay include making jewelry, figurines, ornaments, dollhouse miniatures, and molding sculptures.
Some of the most popular and widely available brands of air dry clay include Sculpey, Crayola, Craft Smart, Activa, and Makin’s Clay. The characteristics that make a high quality air dry clay include smooth texture, flexibility when moist, durability when dry, vibrant colors, and a reasonable drying time. Flexibility allows the clay to bend without cracking while drying, and a smooth texture makes sculpting details easier.
When selecting an air dry clay, it’s also important to consider the intended use – clays designed for sculpting may differ from those intended for jewelry making or crafting with kids. This guide will compare the top brands and help determine the best air dry clay for different projects and skill levels.
Sculpey Air Dry Clay
Sculpey is one of the most popular brands of air dry clay. Founded in 1964, Sculpey offers a wide variety of air dry clays for artists, crafters, hobbyists, and kids. Some key things to know about Sculpey air dry clay:
Pros:
- Good versatility – can be used for sculpture, jewelry, decorative projects, and more.
- Smooth, workable texture.
- Available in many colors.
- Doesn’t require baking or firing.
- Low mess and easy cleanup.
Cons:
- Can be brittle once fully dry.
- Dries slower than some other air dry clays.
- Not reusable once dried.
Some of the main Sculpey air dry clay products include:
- Sculpey Air Dry Clay – Their original air dry clay, available in white and terracotta.
- Sculpey Air Dry Doodle Clay – Designed for kids to mold and shape.
- Sculpey Air Dry Jewelry Clay – Formulated for jewelry making.
Overall, Sculpey offers high quality air dry clays that work well for a variety of crafting uses.
Crayola Air Dry Clay
Crayola is a popular and well-known brand for kids’ art supplies. They make several types of air dry clay products for children and crafters.
The main pros of Crayola air dry clay are that it is non-toxic, easy for kids to use, and available at most major retailers. It air dries smoothly into a hard finish within 24 hours. The clay is lightweight and easy to mold. Crayola provides a range of bright, vibrant colors to choose from.
However, Crayola air dry clay can be messier and not as strong compared to polymer clay. It may chip or crack more easily if thin pieces are made. The clay can also dry out quickly once opened.
Crayola offers air dry clay kits, as well as individual tubs of clay. Some of their products include:
- Air Dry Clay Kits – come with clay, tools, molds, glue, and accessories.
- Basic Air Dry Clay – single tubs of clay in white or colors.
- Neon Air Dry Clay – bright neon colored tubs.
- Metallic Air Dry Clay – contains glittery metallic colors.
Overall, Crayola air dry clay is a good choice for children and beginner crafters looking for an accessible, non-toxic clay. The brand offers convenient sculpting kits with tools and molds included. While the clay may not be as durable or versatile as polymer clay, its vibrant colors and smooth finish make it easy to use for kids’ projects.
(Source: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Dho4DQO30)
Craft Smart Air Dry Clay
Craft Smart is a popular air dry clay brand by Sargent Art. It offers a wide variety of air dry clay products at affordable prices.
Some key pros of Craft Smart air dry clay include:
- Budget-friendly prices
- Variety of colors available
- Smooth, workable texture
- Air dries quickly within 24 hours
Some potential downsides include:
- Can be messy and sticky when working with
- Finished pieces may be more brittle than polymer clay
- Limited choice compared to brands like Sculpey
- May not get as smooth a finish as higher end clays
Craft Smart offers original air dry clay, as well as colored, glitter, and neon varieties. Popular choices include the 24 color pack and the jumbo value pack in white. Overall, it’s a great affordable option for kids and beginner clay artists.
Comparison Overview
There are several well-known brands of air dry clay to choose from. Here is an overview comparing some of the top options:
| Brand | Pros | Cons | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sculpey |
|
|
$8-15 per 2 lb. package |
| Crayola |
|
|
$3-5 for 5 oz. package |
| Craft Smart |
|
|
$1-2 per package |
As you can see, each brand has its own strengths and weaknesses. The price also varies quite a bit between professional brands like Sculpey versus child-friendly options like Crayola. Consider what you will use the clay for as well as your budget when deciding on the best brand for your needs.
Best Air Dry Clay for Kids
When choosing an air dry clay for kids, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Safety – Make sure to pick a non-toxic clay that is safe if accidentally ingested. Avoid clays with chemicals or fumes.
- Texture – Look for clays with a smooth, malleable texture that is easy for small hands to manipulate.
- Clean-up – Choose clays that don’t stain surfaces and are easy to wash off hands and clothes.
- Drying time – Fast drying clays work best to hold kids’ attention and allow projects to be completed in one sitting.
Based on these criteria, some top recommended air dry clay brands for kids include:
- Crayola Air Dry Clay – Smooth, non-toxic, and fast drying. Comes in bright colors.
- Activ-Clay – Extremely lightweight clay that air dries rock hard. Easy to shape and mold.
- Craft Smart Air Dry Clay – Affordable, safe clay that comes in big tubs with lots of colors to choose.
Model Magic or Original Sculpey are also good air dry clays, though they may be a bit pricier. Ultimately Crayola offers a winning combination of safety, texture, and fun colors for most kids’ air dry clay projects.
Best Air Dry Clay for Sculptures
When selecting an air dry clay for sculpture making, some key factors to consider are texture, strength, details, and finishing. You’ll want a clay that can hold fine details without sagging or cracking as it dries. The clay should also sand and paint well for finishing the sculpture.
Based on those criteria, polymer clays like Sculpey and Fimo are often recommended for sculpting. They have a smooth, pliable texture that makes sculpting easy. The baked polymer clay pieces are lightweight yet strong and durable. Polymer clays hold excellent detail and take acrylic paints for finishing beautifully.
Crayola’s Model Magic is another top choice, as it creates hard, lightweight, and very smooth sculptures perfect for painting. The neutral white color also provides a great base for adding color. For sculpting fine details, Apoxie Sculpt is often recommended due to its putty-like consistency and strength when cured.
In general, look for air dry clays labeled for sculpting or modeling when creating sculpture pieces. Avoid ones with lots of tiny beady bits, as they don’t form a smooth surface. Opt for neutral colors to allow for custom painting later. Let the sculptures fully cure before painting or handling roughly. With the right clay, air dry options can produce stunning and durable sculpture creations.
Best Air Dry Clay for Jewelry
When selecting an air dry clay for jewelry making, there are a few key factors to consider:
Flexibility – The clay needs to be flexible enough to work with delicate jewelry components without cracking or breaking. A soft, pliable clay is best.
Strength – Once dried, the clay should be strong and durable to withstand regular wear. A clay specifically formulated for jewelry is ideal.
Smooth texture – The clay should dry smooth without cracks or rough patches which could snag clothing. A fine texture is preferable.
Drying time – As jewelry pieces are small, a quick-drying clay allows you to work efficiently and complete projects faster.
Two top recommended air dry clays for jewelry making are Sculpey Air Dry Clay and Crayola Air Dry Clay. Sculpey clay comes in white and terra cotta and is extremely pliable and smooth. It dries hard and durable, perfect for delicate jewelry. Crayola air dry clay is available in many colors, dries smooth, and works well for making lightweight jewelry pieces.
For a strong, lightweight clay, original Sculpey or CraftSmart polymer clay that air dries are great choices. These clays don’t require baking and will dry hard while still being flexible.
When making jewelry with air dry clay, it’s best to use lightweight beads and components so the piece doesn’t become too heavy. Allow pieces to dry fully before wearing. Apply a clear finish, like Mod Podge or acrylic sealer, for added durability.
Tips for Working with Air Dry Clay
Proper storage and preparation of air dry clay is important for achieving the best results. Here are some tips:
- Store unused clay in an airtight container or plastic bag. This prevents the clay from drying out (Source: https://www.gatheringbeauty.com/blog/air-dry-clay-tips-tricks)
- Knead the clay before use to warm it up and make it more pliable. Add a few drops of water if it feels too dry (Source: https://www.montmarte.com/blogs/tips-techniques/12-air-drying-clay-tips)
- Allow projects to dry completely, which can take 24-48 hours. Drying times depend on humidity levels and thickness of the clay (Source: https://www.gatheringbeauty.com/blog/air-dry-clay-tips-tricks)
- Apply a sealer like polyurethane spray or mod podge to finished pieces for extra protection and shine (Source: https://www.montmarte.com/blogs/tips-techniques/12-air-drying-clay-tips)
Some common issues when working with air dry clay include cracking, stickiness, and pieces not hardening fully. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
- Cracking can happen if clay dries too quickly. Prevent this by storing unused clay in an airtight container and keeping projects away from direct heat while drying (Source: https://www.gatheringbeauty.com/blog/air-dry-clay-tips-tricks)
- Stickiness means the clay is too moist. Let it dry out more before use. Kneading in some cornstarch can also help (Source: https://www.montmarte.com/blogs/tips-techniques/12-air-drying-clay-tips)
- If projects are still soft after 48 hours of drying, they may be too thick. Use thinner layers of clay next time (Source: https://www.gatheringbeauty.com/blog/air-dry-clay-tips-tricks)
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best air dry clay brand, there are a few key factors to consider. The top brands like Sculpey, Crayola, and Craft Smart all have unique strengths and weaknesses.
Sculpey offers the most professional, high-quality results and is the best choice for sculpting detailed pieces and jewelry. However, it’s also the most expensive. Crayola air dry clay is very affordable and great for kids getting started with clay crafts, but it may not hold up as well over time.
Craft Smart strikes a nice balance between quality and price. It has vibrant colors, minimal cracking and a smooth consistency. Craft Smart is a good all-around option suitable for most air dry clay projects.
For children or classroom use, Crayola is clearly the top recommendation based on its safety, low cost and appealing colors. Sculptors or jewelry makers will likely prefer Sculpey for its durability and ability to capture fine details.
No matter which brand you choose, proper storage and painting/sealing finished pieces is important. With a bit of practice, air dry clay is an accessible, fun craft medium for all ages to enjoy.
