Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shelf life of Makin’s Clay®?
Makin’s Clay® is guaranteed fresh for three years from the manufacture date. Retailers should be rotating clay products to ensure earlier batches are being sold before newer batches of clay.
How long does Makin’s Clay® need to dry?
Makin’s Clay® dries when exposed to normal room temperatures within 24 hours. Thin sheets of Makin’s Clay® will dry quickly while thicker layers of clay will take longer. Actual drying time may vary depending on the density of the clay project and atmospheric conditions such as heat and humidity.
Does Makin’s Clay® shrink after dried?
Makin’s Clay® is a water-based clay, as such as the clay dries some shrinkage will occur. In most cases shrinkage will be less than 3%, but on larger clay objects the shrinkage can be 5%-8%. The slower the clay dries, the less shrinkage will be realized. When using Makin’s Clay® for small jewelry or mixed media or fine art projects where exact dimensions are critical, it’s best to test Makin’s Clay® for shrinkage in the atmosphere where the work will be performed to determine the actual shrinkage for your project.
Will Makin’s Clay® color change after drying?
Makin’s Clay® color will dry slightly darker than the color when fresh out of the package. The change in color is so minimal; it may not be noticeable to the naked eye.
Is Makin’s Clay® durable after drying?
Makin’s Clay® is very durable after it dries, and will not break, crack or flake over time.
How can you keep Makin’s Clay® fresh for use after opening the package?
For best results, remove clay from the outer vacuum package. Cut off the portion of clay required for immediate use. Leave the unused portion of clay in the original inner plastic wrapping. Place unused clay and any clay scraps inside a resealable bag such as a Ziploc® sandwich baggie with a moist towelette (baby wipe), then squeeze baggie to remove as much air as possible, then zip the baggie closed. If unused clay is stored properly it will last up to one year or longer after being opened. It can also be spritzed with water and reworked if needed.
a. To maximize the shelf life of opened and unused clay wrap clay in plastic wrap and store in a Ziplock® sandwich bag with a moist paper towel or baby wipe.
Can Makin’s Clay® be blended to make different colors?
Two or more Makin’s Clay® colors can be mixed together to achieve additional colors. The Makin’s® Clay Mixing Ruler (#35003) illustrates a variety of color combinations. Acrylic and oil paints can be mixed with Makin’s Clay® to create a more vibrant hues or custom color palettes.
Is Makin’s Clay® waterproof?
Makin’s Clay® is not waterproof, but is not affected by brief contact with surface moisture. As a general rule it is recommended that a sealer be considered for use on Makin’s Clay® projects such as jewelry and outdoor projects to preserve the original shape and beauty from over exposure to perspiration or various weather conditions.
Can Makin’s Clay® be frozen to extend shelf life?
Makin’s Clay® should not be frozen if avoidable. It is believed that repeatable instances of freezing and thawing Makin’s Clay® may actually reduce the shelf life of Makin’s Clay® products. For best results, store Makin’s Clay® in a climate controlled environment to prevent freezing.
What sealers are recommended for use on Makin’s Clay® projects to be used?
There are many different sealant products readily available on the market. For your convenience please find a list of sealants that have been found work just fine with Makin’s Clay® home décor projects displayed outdoors.
a. Plaid Indoor/Outdoor Varnish
b. Golden Polymer Varnish
c. Beacon Liquid Laminate
d. Plaid Outdoor Mod Podge
e. USArt Quest Perfect Paper Adhesive
Other sealants we have tried with good success but have not been tested
for outdoor use include:
a. Judikins Diamond Glaze
b. Earth Safe Finishes Marine Varnish, Eco-Epoxy Resin
c. Krylon Spray Acrylic sealer
d. ETI Resin
e. Ranger Inkssentials
f. Sakura Hobby 3D Crystal Lacquer
Does Makin’s Clay® harden when exposed to heat or left in direct sunlight?
Makin’s Clay® does not harden when exposed to heat. Makin’s Clay® may become softened or sticky if left in direct sun light for an extended period of time. If you find Makin’s Clay® is too soft from being in the sun, just open the package and allow clay to stand for 2-3 minutes to permit the surface moisture to evaporate and the clay will return to the original condition.
Does Makin’s Clay® contain PVC, Phthalate and Latex?
Makin’s Clay® is manufactured to be an environmentally safe modeling medium. As such Makin’s Clay® does not contain PVC, phthalates, latex or toxins.
Is Makin’s Clay® biodegradable?
Makin’s Clay® is a water-based product and biodegradable.
Is Makin’s Clay® acid free and safe to use with photos?
Makin’s Clay® is slightly acidic when removed from the package, but is acid free when dry. Makin’s Clay® is ideally suited for use in scrapbooking and collages where photos and other acid sensitive materials will be used.
What ingredients are used to make Makin’s Clay®?
The ingredients and formula of Makin’s Clay® is proprietary information and not subject to public disclosure.
Does Makin’s Clay® contain Gluten?
Makin’s Clay® does not contain Gluten. Makin’s Clay® is certified safe for use by consumers of all ages (over 3 years old). Makin’s Clay® is not manufactured for human consumption.
Does Makin’s Clay® cause allergy i.e. Anaphylaxis?
- Anaphylaxis is more commonly caused by an allergy to foods which contain ingredients such as nuts (peanuts), shellfish (shrimp and crab), and dairy products (milk and eggs).
- Makin’s Clay® is manufactured free from all nuts, shellfish and dairy products. Makin’s Clay® is currently being tested in an effort to be certified as a hypoallergenic product.
Is Makin’s Clay® safe for pregnant women to work with?
Makin’s Clay® has been used by pregnant women for years without any reported problems. However if you are aware of any pregnancy complications or have reason to have a specific concern about using clay products, it is recommended you consult with your physician before using Makin’s Clay®.
Does Makin's Clay® have to be conditioned before use?
Makin’s Clay® is soft, pliable and ready to use directly from the package. No need for conditioning before use.
Can I create canes with Makin's Clay®?
The soft, pliable nature of Makin's Clay® makes it difficult to create detailed canes in the traditional manner. Basic canes can be achieved by allowing the clay to dry slightly before building the canes. Alternative caning techniques have been found successful by our Design Team members.
Do Makin's Brand® tools work with other clays?
Definitely. Makin's Brand® tools work with a multitude of other oven bake or air dry clays, as well as fondant, resin, and more.
Can I use Makin's Clay® with other brands of tools and molds?
Makin's Clay® does work with other brands of tools and molds.
Where can I buy Makin's Clay® and Makin's Brand® tools?
Visit our Where to Buy tab for links to various locations our products are available.
Can I color Makin's Clay® with mica pigment powders?
Mica pigment powders are a great way to add a bit of shimmer to Makin’s Clay®. Brands we’ve tried with good results include:
- Earth Safe Finishes Metallic Powders
- Jacquard Pearl-Ex Powder
- Ranger Perfect Pearls
What other ways can I color Makin's Clay® once it's dry?
Other products we’ve tried with good results to add color to Makin’s Clay® after it is cured include:
- Acrylic Paints
- Oil Paints
- Permanent Ink Pads (pigment or dye based - not water based)
- Permanent markers
- Crayons
- Colored Pencils
- Oil Pastels
- Decorator Chalks
- Gel Pens
- Walnut Ink
- Watercolor paints
- Alcohol Inks
- Ranger Inkssentials Crackle Finish
- Ranger Glossy Accents
- Ranger Sepia Accents
- Judikins Diamond Glaze and Gel D'Soleil Sunlight Curing Epoxy
- Sakura Crystal Lacquer
- Earth Safe Finishes Shimmer Opaques
- DecoArt Metallic Lustre
Can Makin's Clay® be drilled or sanded when dry? Can I use punches with it?
Makin's Clay® can be drilled or sanded. It can also be cut with scissors, craft punches, or die cutting machines when rolled thin and dried.
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
Makin's Clay® can be punched with craft punches! Roll thin sheets of clay and let them dry. Then simply punch the images you'd like from the dry clay sheets. For more interest, texture the clay while still wet or rubber stamp it to add details after.
Makin's Clay® can be die cut! Roll thin sheets of clay and let them dry. Almost any hand operated die cutting machine works well with dry sheets of clay. We've tried using machines and dies from Sizzix, Spellbinders, and Quickutz with great results.
Rubber stamps can be used to texture clay when wet, or inked to decorate clay when wet or dry.
Using a Perfect Crafting Pouch on your rubber stamps before stamping into wet clay, or on the texture sheets and molds, ensures quick release of the clay without any sticking. Corn starch is another alternative to help correct sticking issues.
Beacon Adhesives Tacky Glue or 527 are great adhesives for adhering dry clay to almost any surface. Elmer's Craft Bond, E-6000 and Super Glue also works well.
Hot glue is NOT recommended for adhering Makin's Clay® to surfaces - it pops off easily.
You can create beautiful Skinner Blends with Makin's Clay® following the regular technique for this process; or the Teardrop technique.
Makin's Clay® can be sewn! Hand stitch, or carefully machine stitch thin sheets of clay for a unique effect.
The Makin's Professional® ClayCore Adaptor extrudes beads with the HOLES ALREADY IN THEM - in a variety of mm and shapes.
When weatherproofed with an outdoor sealant such as Powertex Liquid Textile Hardener, Makin's Clay® can be used in outdoor decorating.
Place unused clay into a zip lock bag with a damp paper towel or baby wipe to keep from drying out.
Uses for Makin’s Professional Clay Tools:
Spheres: Come in the following sizes ¼”, 5/16”, 3/8”. These are perfect for creating places for eyes, beads or adding another color of clay.
Wave Cutters: Come in 2 sizes for multiple uses. These can be used to cut clay with wavy edges for a great look, cut around shapes or templates to give a textured look or use for texture by using light pressure on top of or in clay.
Plain Cutter: Perfect for cutting clay into strips, cut around different shaped objects & patterns quickly and easily also use to add textures on top of or into your clay by using light pressure.
Texture Points: Embellish edges of your cut clay with these fun points. Cut clay from these; cut around patterns for a scalloped edge, play with these for endless possibilities.
Fine Point: Perfect for making pin holes, adding texture, creating a design, piercing through clay, writing in clay also create texture along edges by pressing into side of clay.
Medium Point: Perfect for making small holes, adding texture, creating a design, piercing through clay, writing in clay also create texture along edges by pressing into side of clay.
Round Point: Make texture in clay also use to create places for eyes, beads or adding another color of clay.
Cutting Tip: Size 1 1/8”: This is perfect for picking cut pieces of clay up like a spatula without distorting the clay shape. Make beveled edges to your project by cutting at an angle, use it for making texture in clay or on the clay by varying the pressure used.
Feather Point: Can be used for making hair, making cross hatching on top of clay, distressing and a fur look. Use the pointed end for embellishing and creating texture. Move wire ends apart or closer together for different looks, experiment with this great tool and see what you come up with
Moon, Star & Dart Board: Use for making texture in your clay, ink it up to stamp on your clay, use deeper to make an impression and add beads or another color of clay. Ink and stamp onto dry clay for another look.
Script: Use this embellishing tool to make impressions, texture and designs in clay.
Stencil: Use this tool for piercing your clay, adding texture, impressions and designs in clay.
Shading: This tool can be used for several things by pressing and dragging you can getting feathered look, or add texture to small places if you ink this tool then use on Clay will get a shading in the clay which resembles shaded feathers.
Line: Perfect for creating texture, outlining shapes, making harlequin designs, ink the tip and use at the same time while making your pattern.
Dot: Use for making small holes, adding texture, creating a design, piercing through clay, writing in clay also create texture along edges by pressing into side of clay.
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