Technique Basics with Makin's® Clay

Basic Techniques: Select a clean working area. Take a small piece of clay and place the remainder of the clay in an airtight plastic bag for storage or cover with wet towel while you are working. Knead the clay for few minutes; while the clay is still soft, it can be shaped, rolled, stretched, or sculpted. If the clay starts to dry, you can mist the clay with a water bottle and knead the moisture back into the clay. It dries at normal exposure to air and it sets hard overnight or longer, depending on thickness of clay. Easy clean-up with soap and water. Hint: Makin's Clay® mixed with water based hand lotion If dry hands are absorbing the moisture out of the clay too rapidly a waterbased hand lotion/cream can be used prior to handling the clay. This lotion/cream can also be used for lubricating the push moulds and/or texture sheets. Rainbow On Clay  Makin's Clay® can be mixed together to make more color. With different techniques, such as etching, slicing, embossing, spiraling, blending, gathering and mosaics, you can create many different looks. Antique On Clay  With techniques such as antiquing, stamping, marbling, mixing, slicing and blending, you can create many different looks with Makin's Clay®. Crystal Reflections® (Plastic Shapes) with Clay  Makin's Clay® molds and bonds to surfaces such as Crystal Reflections®, wood, glass, and plastic. Just add a thin coat of adhesive on the base surface before applying the clay for best adhesion results. Beginners' Techniques : With the help of our Makin's® tools, such as Push Molds, Clay Texture Sheets, Clay Cutters, beginners will find it easy to create layered sculptured designs. Intermediate Crafters' Techniques : Intermediate crafters will find our full set of tools combined with the Clay Mixing Ruler™ creates a large range of colors to expand their horizons. The projects help them to develop new techniques as they work through them. Professional Crafters' Techniques : Professional crafters can combine their professional skills with Makin's Clay®, and move onto more advanced methods: marbling, texturing, bead making, faux-stone effect and more.

More tips for Makin's® Clay

How to Achieve Best Results in Removing
Makin's Clay from Inner Packaging :

When working without the Ultimate Clay Machine Remove outer plastic vacuum bag. Open inner plastic wrapping and spread out a bit on work surface. Do not remove plastic wrapping. Let clay sit for approx. 10 minutes. Use hands or roller to lightly flatten clay against plastic wrapping. Do not remove plastic wrapping. Use a roller or even a straight sided drinking glass to roll the clay on top of the plastic wrapping for several times. Peel wrapping from the clay. After removing clay from wrapping, cut off amount of clay to be used immediately, and roll remaining clay into log or short plug shape. Store in air-tight container or cover with damp cloth for more immediate use.

Tips for working with Makin's® Clay

How to Achieve Best Results in Removing
Makin's Clay from Inner Packaging :
When working with the Ultimate Clay Machine

Remove outer plastic vacuum Bag. Open inner plastic wrapping using craft knife or clay blade and spread package flat on work surface. Do not remove inner plastic wrapping. Let clay sit for 10-15 minutes. Use hands or roller to lightly flatten clay against plastic wrapping. Do not remove wrapping. Insert clay and wrapping material together, clay side up, into Ultimate Clay Machine on #1 setting. Make one pass through clay machine with wrapping still attached. Turn clay 90 degrees and make second pass using #2 setting with wrapping attached. Peel wrapping from clay. If clay does not peel easily from wrapping, run clay with wrapping attached through clay machine one or two more times. After removing clay from wrapping, cut off amount of clay to be used immediately, and roll remaining clay into log or short plug shape. Store in air-tight container such as a zip lock bag or cover with damp cloth for more immediate use.

Makin's Clay® Basic Tips and Techniques

Here is a list of Tips and Techniques for Makin's Clay®:

• To maximize the shelf life of opened and unused clay wrap clay in plastic wrap and store in a Ziplock® sandwich bag or a similar air-tight container. 
• While working with clay, it's best to place a damp cloth over pieces of clay that will not be used right away or place in an air tight container. 
• Sprits clay with water if it begins to dry during use or to keep unused clay moist. Best results can be achieved using a fine mist spray bottle. 
• Use a drop of water to bond two small pieces of clay together. 
• Clay colors can be intermixed to achieve new colors tints and shades. For best results use the Makin's® Clay Mixing Ruler^TM. Oil and acrylic paints can be added to clay to achieve a more vibrant color or custom color palate. 
• Clay will stick to most surfaces without glue while the clay is still moist although we recommend a dab of white craft glue.  For some porous surfaces and those clay projects that will be handled or shipped a lot we recommend use of a clear white glue to achieve a stronger bond. 
• Most clay projects will dry within 24 hours. Thin layers of clay will dry quickly while thicker layers of clay will take longer. Actual drying time may vary depending on the density of the clay object, atmospheric conditions such as heat and humidity. 
• Clay can be shaped, molded, textured, stamped, inked, sculpted and painted with acrylics. 
• Art foils, composition leaf, transfers, mica powders, pastels, glitters and glazes can be applied to clay either before or after the clay has dried. 
• Thin sheets of clay once dry will remain flexible when dry, and can be bent or shaped without cracking or breaking. 
• Makin's Clay^® is acid free and safe for scrapbooks when dry.