Will Air Dry Clay Ornaments Last?

Air dry clay, also known as modeling clay, is a lightweight, easy to mold material that hardens at room temperature. When exposed to air, the water in air dry clay evaporates allowing the clay to cure and harden into a permanent form. This makes it an ideal material for creating ornaments, figurines, and decorative objects. Unlike oven-bake polymer clay, air dry clay does not require baking and will solidify on its own in 1-3 days. With a simple ingredient list of clay, water, and hardener, air dry clay allows endless creativity for ornament designs and holiday décor.

Common brands of air dry clay include Crayola Model Magic, ACTIVA Air Dry Clay, and Original Sculpey Air Dry Clay. These clays come in a variety of colors allowing ornaments to be shaped and decorated in any color scheme. With air dry clay’s lightweight, pliable, and non-toxic qualities, it has become a popular DIY material for creating handmade ornaments.

What is Air Dry Clay?

Air dry clay, also known as modeling clay, is a non-fired clay that cures through evaporation. It is made from a mixture of clays, fillers, and hardeners that allow it to dry and harden at room temperature. Some common ingredients in air dry clay include calcium carbonate, kaolin, and sodium silicate.

Unlike polymer clay, air dry clay does not require baking and will harden over time simply by being exposed to air. It can be molded into shapes and designs by hand or with basic sculpting tools. Air dry clay is water-based, so it remains workable and pliable until it dries out completely.

Common brands of air dry clay include Amaco, Activa, Crayola Model Magic, and Das. It is sold in a variety of colors, including white, terracotta, and gray. Crafters use air dry clay for arts and crafts projects like jewelry, ornaments, figurines, and more. Its versatility and ease of use make it popular for beginner sculptors and children.

How Air Dry Clay Cures

Air dry clay cures through a process called “air drying.” Unlike other clays that require baking in a kiln, air dry clay hardens naturally over time when exposed to air.[1]

Air drying works because air dry clays are formulated with water-based materials that evaporate when exposed to air. As the water evaporates, the clay particles move closer together, resulting in hardening and curing of the clay without the need for oven baking.

Curing through air drying alone usually takes 1-3 days. The clay may feel dry to the touch before it is fully cured. Allowing the clay several additional days to cure thoroughly before painting or handling will help prevent breakage and cracking.

Exposing all surfaces of an air dry clay piece speeds up drying time. Hollow pieces may take longer to fully cure if air cannot penetrate inside. Letting air circulate freely around the clay as it dries is ideal.

The curing time can be shortened by using a fan to blow air over the surface or placing the clay near a dehumidifier. Do not force dry clay too quickly with direct high heat, as this risks cracking.[2] With proper air drying, air dry clay can cure into a strong, durable material for crafts and ornaments.

Durability of Air Dry Clay

The durability and longevity of air dry clay depends on the type of clay and how it is cared for. Air dry clays are lightweight and fragile compared to clays that require firing in a kiln. However, air dry clays can be quite strong and resilient if properly prepared and sealed.

Polymer clays like Sculpey and Fimo tend to be the most durable air dry clays. According to this source, Sculpey is “lightweight and very resilient” and “can potentially survive a drop.” These polymer clays remain flexible when dry, reducing cracking and breakage. The durability comes from the plastic resin in these clays.

Cellulose-based clays like Crayola Model Magic are quite fragile when dry. Pieces made of these clays need extra care as they can crack easily if dropped or mishandled. Applying a sealant can help improve durability. According to this article, air dry clay will stay hard when properly cured and sealed.

In summary, polymer clays offer the best durability for air dry clay sculptures and ornaments. Taking proper care when drying, sealing, and storing pieces made of any air dry clay will help maximize their longevity.

Making Ornaments with Air Dry Clay

There are many fun techniques for sculpting detailed ornaments out of air dry clay. Here are some ideas to try:

Use cookie cutters or molds to create basic shapes like stars, trees, snowflakes, etc. Press the air dry clay evenly into the cookie cutter and remove gently (Crayola). Let the shapes dry fully before decorating.

Roll pieces of clay into balls or teardrop shapes to make round ornaments. Add details by pressing in designs with rubber stamps or chopsticks. Make a hole with a straw before letting dry (First Day of Home).

Create flat clay sheets using a rolling pin, then cut out shapes with craft punches or scissors. Layer the cut-out pieces to make 3D shapes before drying.

Use clay modeling tools or toothpicks to etch patterns, lines, or designs into the surface of the clay. Add texture by pressing in sequins, beads, sticks, or stones.

Make ornate beads by rolling small balls of clay and piercing holes with a skewer. String them together for garlands or ornaments when dry.

Let kids create their own unique shapes and designs by simply hand-forming the clay into balls, teardrops, stars, etc. Add their handprints or footprints by pressing gently into the clay.

Painting and Sealing

Once your air dry clay ornaments have completely cured and hardened, the next step is painting and sealing them. There are a few options when it comes to painting clay ornaments:

Acrylic paint – Acrylic paint is easy to apply and dries fast on air dry clay. It provides good coverage and comes in tons of colors. Make sure to thin the paint slightly with water so it doesn’t crack.

Glaze – Ceramic glazes can be used to paint clay ornaments and will provide a glossy finish after firing in a kiln. This isn’t an option if you don’t have a kiln.

Spray paint – Spray paints like Krylon can be used to quickly and evenly coat ornaments. Apply thin coats to avoid drips and runs.

Magic marker – Permanent markers allow for easy drawing and coloring on smooth clay surfaces.

Colored pencils – For detailed designs, colored pencils can be used to hand color air dry clay ornaments.

When it comes to sealing, there are a couple options:

Acrylic sealer – An acrylic spray sealant can be applied over acrylic paints to protect the finish.

Varathane – Using varathane to seal painted clay provides a glossy, durable finish.

For more tips, see this guide on painting air dry clay ornaments: https://www.firstdayofhome.com/air-dry-clay-ornaments/

Hanging and Displaying Ornaments

When hanging air dry clay ornaments on your Christmas tree, it’s important to take precautions to avoid damage. Here are some best practices:

Use ornament hooks or string specifically designed for clay ornaments. Avoid regular metal hooks which can crack the clay (https://www.crayola.com/crafts/air-dry-clay-ornament-craft/). Loop the string or hook through a hole at the top of the ornament.

Hang clay ornaments on sturdy tree branches towards the center or bottom of the tree. Avoid hanging them on flimsy outer branches where they are more prone to falling or getting bumped.

Space clay ornaments out and avoid bunching them too close together. This prevents them from knocking into each other.

When storing the tree, carefully pack away clay ornaments in a protected box with padding or dividers.

For year-round display, clay ornaments can be hung on wreaths, garlands, or small racks. Mini ornament stands are also great for showcasing them on shelves or tabletops. Just be sure to keep them away from high traffic areas where they could get accidentally knocked over and broken.

Storing Clay Ornaments

Proper storage is key to maximizing the durability and lifespan of air dry clay ornaments. According to Delineate Your Dwelling, the best way to prevent cracking and drying out is to store finished clay ornaments in airtight containers like heavy duty ziplock bags. Susie Benes also recommends keeping clay in the original packaging or airtight containers, only exposing small amounts that will be immediately used.

Air dry clay ornaments should be stored at room temperature away from heat sources like direct sunlight that could cause cracking. Keeping the ornaments away from moisture is also important to prevent damage over time. Placing them in a cool, dark place like a closet is ideal. With proper storage, air dry clay ornaments can potentially last for many years.

Repairing Broken Ornaments

Air dry clay is susceptible to cracking and breaking, especially if ornaments are dropped or handled roughly. The good news is that broken clay ornaments can often be repaired by the crafter. Here are some tips for repairing cracked or broken air dry clay ornaments:

First, gather the broken pieces and clean them with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove any dust or debris. Allow the pieces to dry completely. Next, apply a thin layer of air dry clay to the broken edges that will be bonded back together. Press the pieces firmly together, smoothing the clay over the crack or break.

Let the repair dry completely, which may take 24 hours or more for a thicker application of clay. Once dry, smooth any uneven areas with sandpaper. To help blend the repair, consider painting over the crack with acrylic paint in a matching color after the clay has dried.

For hairline cracks, an alternative is to mix a small bit of water with air dry clay to create a “clay slip.” Paint this clay slip over the cracks and wipe off any excess. The clay slip will dry clear and can help reinforce fragile areas.

To prevent future breaks, avoid making ornaments too thin or delicate. Bake polymer clay ornaments after sculpting to further strengthen them. And handle finished ornaments gently when decorating, storing, and displaying.

Sources:

https://southernhospitalityblog.com/fix-it-with-air-dry-clay/

Longevity of Air Dry Clay Ornaments

Air dry clay ornaments can last indefinitely if properly made, cured, displayed, and stored. The clay needs to be allowed to fully cure and dry which can take 1-3 days depending on climate and thickness (Source). Once cured, air dry clay is quite durable. Ornaments should be gently handled when decorating the tree to avoid breakage. After the holiday season, the ornaments should be packed flat, cushioned between layers of tissue or bubble wrap. Avoid stacking the ornaments as pressure can cause cracking over time. Stored properly in a cool, dry location, air dry clay ornaments can easily last for many years, or even decades.

With proper care, air dry clay ornaments can become beloved holiday heirlooms. The clay is inert once fully cured, so it does not degrade over time like some other materials. As long as the ornaments remain intact and are stored flat, they can be brought out year after year to decorate the Christmas tree while retaining their charm and sentimental value.