Air dry clay is a wonderful material. You can use it to create or embellish whatever crafts you are using your creativity into. Air dry clay gets no bake. That means that there is a challenge to make your objects waterproof at the final result. Of course varnish and acrylics do add to this, however, it could be a disaster to create an air dry clay vase only with acrylics and varnish. So I came up with a formula, using a mixture of pva glue and and a waterproofing material for stones and ceramics I bought from a store with building materials, which i thoroughly incorporated into the clay, being careful to keep the suggested proportions as for the water used to dilute. I made two different clay mixtures with two different consistencies: A more watery and a stiffer one, adding accordingly more of the liquid mixture for a clay mixture that could spread on the armatures of the vase. Next I created the armature out of recycled carton and recycled paper as well as pva glue.
I let it thoroughly dry out.
At this point, it was a sturdy construction out of carton, I could start to apply my clay mixture at. I picked out some clay molds and started creating embellishments that would have to dry as well. Applied the watery mixtured in layers, letting it to set before each new layer. When I was happy with the layering, I added the embellishments at the vase, and once more I let it dry out and set.
Before I started colouring and shadowing, I applied some more coats of the waterproofing material itself. And then it was time to colour. I wanted to keep the finished result neutral as for the colours, because the flowers are beautifully colourful and a neutral vase would just add to the beauty of flower bouquets. I used acrylic colours, simple and metallic, and aging patinas for an antiquing result.
A result that is 100% waterproof and truly embellishing. It was a delight when I finally added the flowers.
Enjoy!
With lots of love,
