What Is Whipped Clay Made Of?
What is Clay?
Clay is a type of fine-grained natural soil material that contains minerals such as kaolinite, montmorillonite-smectite, illite, and chlorite. The key properties of clay that make it ideal for pottery and ceramics include:
Plasticity – Clay is highly plastic and can be molded into various shapes when wet. When clay dries, it retains its shape.
Reusable – Clay can be reused and reworked multiple times, allowing for alterations to the shape and design.
Hardens on firing – When clay is exposed to high temperatures in a kiln, the clay particles fuse together permanently, hardening the clay into ceramic.
There are three main types of clays used in pottery and ceramics:
- Earthenware clays – Contain iron and other minerals, fire at lower temperatures to a reddish color. Examples are terracotta and red brick clays.
- Stoneware clays – More refined, higher firing, form a strong ceramic at high temperatures up to 1200°C.
- Porcelain clays – Very refined and pure kaolin clay, fires to a white, translucent and glass-like ceramic.
These unique properties make clay an ideal material for crafting and shaping pottery, ceramics, sculptures, and other artworks that require form and structure.
What is Whipped Clay?
Whipped clay is a type of lightweight modeling clay that has a fluffy, airy texture. Unlike regular clay that is dense and heavy, whipped clay is light and easy to work with.
The main difference between regular clay and whipped clay is the incorporation of air bubbles. Whipped clay contains tiny air bubbles which are created through a whipping process. The clay mixture is vigorously mixed, or “whipped”, usually with the addition of a foaming agent. This aerates the clay and gives it a soft, spongy texture.
When regular clay is whipped with a foaming ingredient like shaving cream, dish soap, or glue, it transforms into an airy, lightweight material that is similar to the texture of frosting or mousse. The air bubbles make whipped clay much less dense than regular modeling clay. This is what gives whipped clay its light and fluffy consistency.
Making Whipped Clay
Making your own whipped clay at home is easy with just a few simple ingredients and steps. Here’s what you’ll need and how to make it:
Ingredients
- 2 cups baking soda
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1.5 cups shaving cream (make sure it’s non-menthol)
- Food coloring (optional)
- Small bowl and spoon for mixing
Step-by-Step Process
- In a bowl, mix together the baking soda and cornstarch until well combined.
- Add in the shaving cream and mix together. The mixture will be crumbly at first.
- Use your hands to knead the mixture together for 2-3 minutes until it forms a smooth, doughy ball of whipped clay.
- If desired, knead in a few drops of food coloring to tint the clay.
- Store unused whipped clay in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
Tips & Tricks
Here are some handy tips for making great whipped clay every time:
- Make sure your measurements are precise for the best texture.
- Use room temperature or slightly warm shaving cream.
- Knead well until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Add food coloring sparingly until you achieve the desired hue.
- Keep the clay stored in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
Uses for Whipped Clay
Whipped clay is a very versatile material that can be used for a wide variety of crafts and projects. Here are some of the most popular uses for whipped clay:
Pottery
One of the traditional uses for regular clay is for making pottery such as vases, bowls, mugs and other containers. Whipped clay can also be used for handbuilding pottery pieces. The airy, lightweight texture of whipped clay makes it easier to mold and shape compared to regular clay. Pieces made from whipped clay will be sturdier than clay pieces made with air-dry clay but more delicate than terra cotta or stoneware fired pieces.
Sculptures
Whipped clay is ideal for sculpting detailed figurines, seasonal decorations like Christmas ornaments, and modeling clay art projects. The fluffy texture allows you to achieve finer details and textures compared to regular clay. Sculptures made from whipped clay will still need to be sealed and protected from moisture.
Jewelry making
Lightweight whipped clay is perfect for making handmade jewelry such as bead necklaces and clay earrings. The clay can be shaped into beads, pendants, buttons and other components for jewelry. Charming jewelry pieces can be created using simple air-dry whipped clay.
Decorations
Whipped clay can be used to handmake beautiful decorations for the home. Some ideas include clay bowls, coasters, clocks, picture frames, vases, plaques and wall hangings. The lightweight nature of whipped clay makes it easier to craft large decorative pieces.
Advantages of Whipped Clay
Whipped clay has several advantages that make it an appealing choice for modeling and crafting. Here are some of the key benefits of using whipped clay:
Lighter Weight
One of the biggest advantages of whipped clay is that it is lighter in weight than traditional clay. Since air is whipped into the clay mixture during production, the final clay is porous and less dense. This makes whipped clay pieces easier to work with, carry, and ship if needed.
Easier to Mold
The airy texture of whipped clay also makes it more malleable and easier to mold than traditional clay. Whipped clay is very responsive to touch, allowing creators to easily shape it into fine details and intricate shapes.
Better Detail
Due to its lightweight and malleable nature, whipped clay can pick up finer details than traditional clay. From subtle texture to refined sculpting, whipped clay is ideal for capturing sharp and delicate detailing in a piece.
Faster Drying
Since whipped clay contains air pockets, it dries faster than traditional dense clay. Pieces made from whipped clay require less time in the oven or air drying to fully cure. This allows projects to be completed faster.
Disadvantages of Whipped Clay
While whipped clay has many benefits, it also comes with some drawbacks to be aware of:
More delicate – Because whipped clay contains air pockets, it is more fragile than polymer clay. Pieces made from whipped clay need to be handled gently to avoid tearing or denting.
Can’t fire at high temps – Whipped clay is an air-dry clay that cannot be fired in a kiln like polymer clay can. It can only be hardened at low temperatures in the oven or using a hair dryer or heat gun.
Needs sealing – Since whipped clay is porous, finished pieces will need to be sealed to protect them from moisture and make them more durable. An acrylic spray sealant is commonly used.
Limited colors – Whipped clay does not come in the vast array of colors that polymer clay does. Most whipped clay is white or neutral and needs to be colored using acrylic paints, inks, or natural materials like spices.
Whipped Clay vs Polymer Clay
Whipped clay and polymer clay have some key differences in their composition and properties that make them suitable for different uses.
Composition
Whipped clay is made from air-dried clay mixed with glue and foaming agents to give it a lightweight, spongy texture. Polymer clay contains PVC resin, plasticizers, and pigments that allow it to be molded when warm then hardened in an oven.
Strength
When cured, polymer clay is much harder and more durable than whipped clay. Whipped clay remains relatively soft and fragile after drying. Polymer clay sculptures can withstand more handling and force without breaking.
Uses
The softness and lightweight nature of whipped clay makes it great for detailed decorative pieces, crafts, models, and larger hollow sculptures that would be too heavy in polymer clay. Polymer clay is better for smaller solid sculptures, jewelry, figurines, and pieces that need to be more durable.
Whipped Clay Craft Ideas
Whipped clay is extremely versatile and can be used to create all kinds of fun crafts and decorative objects. Here are some of the most popular whipped clay craft ideas:
Cute animal figurines
Whipped clay is perfect for sculpting adorable animal figurines like cats, dogs, bunnies, bears, and more. The lightweight texture makes it easy to mold details like ears, tails, faces, and paws. These animal sculptures make great gifts, decorations, or kids’ toys.
Detailed jars and vases
You can use whipped clay to create one-of-a-kind decorative jars, vases, bowls, and pots. Roll and sculpt the clay directly onto glass jars and vases to add texture, shapes, and dimensional details. Or press the clay into molds to form vessels in different styles.
Lightweight jewelry
For jewelry designers, whipped clay is wonderful for making lightweight beads, pendants, earrings, and charms. You can form simple round beads or get creative with more organic, free-form shapes. The baked clay becomes durable while retaining a soft, malleable feel.
Tips for Working with Whipped Clay
When working with whipped clay, there are some useful tips to follow:
Keep your hands and tools damp. Whipped clay can dry out quickly, so having a spray bottle of water on hand is helpful. Lightly mist your hands and sculpting tools periodically to keep the clay malleable.
Work quickly before drying. Try to work efficiently and avoid taking too many breaks when sculpting with whipped clay. The clay can start drying within 30 minutes, so work on one section at a time.
Avoid overworking the clay. Whipped clay has a delicate texture that can become overworked if handled too much. Take care not to blend colors together more than necessary or continue sculpting once you’ve achieved the desired shape.
How to Store and Seal Whipped Clay
When you are finished working with whipped clay for the day, it’s important to properly store it to prevent drying out. Here are some tips for storing and sealing whipped clay:
Wrap unused whipped clay in plastic wrap or place it in a ziplock bag, squeezing out excess air. This prevents the clay from being exposed to air which can cause drying and cracking. Store the wrapped clay in an airtight container or bag. Glass jars, plastic containers with tight lids, and ziplock bags all work well. Keeping the unused clay sealed with plastic and in an airtight container will help keep it malleable.
Once whipped clay pieces are complete, they should be sealed to retain their color and finish. There are a few options for sealing air dry clay pieces:
- Apply a matte varnish or decoupage medium with a brush and allow to dry fully.
- Spray with an acrylic sealer for a protective coating.
- Use a liquid polymer clay like Sculpey Glaze and bake the piece according to package directions to seal.
Sealing the finished whipped clay artwork will help prevent smudging, fading, or other damage over time. Be sure pieces are fully dry before sealing. Store finished pieces in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight.
