Cold Porcelain Clay Recipe

I was wondering about polymer clay substitutes and decided to experiment with homemade air-dry clays.

This recipes is very fast and easy to make, not to mention inexpensive. There's no need to bake either.

The things that can be modelled from cold porcelain clays are incredible. Its possible to sculpt finer details than polymer clays.  Objects dry to a light-weight, stone like texture. Try it and see where your creativity takes you.

Step 1 Ingredients You Need

This recipe makes one silky smooth, soft cup of cold porcelain clay. Suitable for thin flowers and leaf sculptures.

1 cup cornflour (optional try using rice flour 50:50 mix)
3/4 cup pva (wood) glue
3 drops of eucalyptus or nutmeg oil (for a preservative)
either 1 teaspoon baby oil or 1/2 tsp petroleum jelly (to prevent cracking during drying)
1/4 cup water

(New Recipe! update here, no cracks! How to Make Cold Porcelain Beads)

Comments

[Gomi Romi]

I used food colouring to mix with the paint. For the black beads in the new recipe I mixed in Chinese Black Ink.

Tried oil paints for the outside, that did not look so good, and alsow mixed the clay with acrylic paints, that was pretty awful.

I had good results with food colouring. I would first waterproof the scupture with either furniture or floor polish or diamond glaze then paint with nail polish, pastels acrylics or gouache.

Hope that helps U!

[ArtsyFartsyGirl]

Boy, I love this site! I've learned so many interesting things, starting off with cardboard furniture.
So glad to have this site to peruse instead of going to the *(&^**&^% bead sites and spending all my money (which I can't afford to spend!!)

[Nahual]

What kind of paint did you use? do you paint before it's dry?

[Gomi Romi]

Sorry for late reply, I use food colouring and paint with gouache. Acrylic does not work very well and goes all mushy.

[helenh20]

try using glycerine instead of water... I have a great recipe that I gained from another site using home items ... I have made several items using this clay and the shrinkage and cracking has reduced because I use no water.

[soco]

hi, could you please tell me how much of glycerine did you use, instead of water? thank you

[vmarzonia]

Can I use cornstarch instead of rice flour or cornflour and Elmer's glue as substitute for wood glue?.. thanks!... : )

[jpaternoster]

I have only used cornstarch and elmers glue in my cold porcelain

[Gomi Romi]

I think cornstarch is the same thing as cornflour and Elmer's glue is a different brand name for wood glue - should be fine!

[tonyblitz1]

Will this work as a substitute clay for designing scale automotive models

[Gomi Romi]

I think UltimatePaperMache recipe using drywall mixture is probably more economical - her link is here http://ultimatepapermache.com/paper-mache-recipes
notice how rustic her work is, is that what you're look for? All the best with that.

[emmakrazy]

My Aunt had a doll made like this and i loved it but I was never sure how it was made. Thanks for sharing, I think I could made it work and do up keepsake dolls for my granddaughters. :)

[Gomi Romi]

Your welcome! You might like to check out my new recipe which I used to make CLAY EGGS. This seems to have less like to crack issues or mold! All the best with your dolls.

[insructoperson]

I was wondering if I could use 3 drops of lemon juice instead of the eucalyptus oil. Thanks!

[Gomi Romi]

Hmm, not sure. You might substitute the eucalyptus oil with olive oil or vege oil. I would try the lemon as well, that might work!

[taria]

okay so the recipe at the top is the correct one for making this clay? I'm only asking cause in your description you say' I tried this and then tried tha't and I got confused. I just want to make sure before I do the one you have at the top. BTW your sculptures are amazing. Did you use the same recipe for those cause you said it will shrink and distort and they look stunning.

Sorry for the stupid questions.

[Gomi Romi]

Hi, yes this is correct for pva glue clay. Thanks, but the sculptures are not by me but by Katya Tchernev from Brazil. I've had so much difficulties with storing it and the cracks that I prefer going back to natural clays. I would try contacting Katya for special advice.

[AustralLord]

I am thinking about making a clay pipe for smoking, could I use this type of clay?

[burrumgirl]

I wouldn't use this type of clay as it has pva glue in it which may be toxic if inhailed. You need to use a proper kiln fired clay for a pipe.

[mini_mom]

I can not wait to try making beads and pendant charms using this material--Thank You. I love high fired porcelian but I have no kiln so this makes me so happy.

[mini_mom]

Yeah thanks for the idea --this looks like awsome modeling and sculpting material---can not wait to try it out this Summer.

[N&S Creations]

Thanks for this polymer clay substitute!!! I have also some free videos from the Thai Flower Company and your clay will be very helpful for me since i can't find any clay here in our place locally sold in the market. I am so excited to start making your clay. THANKS A LOT!!!!!!

[Gomi Romi]

Hi!
your welcome! Yes, i came across the Thai Flower Company also. Their amazing. The difficulty with porcelain clay I found with many many cracks and going mouldy after a few weeks. Someone online uses totally glue and no water in her recipe to prevent cracks. Hope it turns out well for you.

. With paper clay, I find it a lot stronger and easier than any clay I've used to model quickly. What's great with paperclay is that is does not require cooking. I simply mash paper into into a slurry. It dries easily, it can be strengthen by adding potash (made from burnt wood ash,careful to use gloves to prevent alkaline burns to your hands)

[N&S Creations]

Thanks again for the info! I will really start making your clay as soon as possible. I will be following you and your next projects!!! More power.!!!!!!

[thepelton]

Where do you get Eucalyptus oil or Nutmeg oil?

[Gomi Romi]

You could find Eucalyptus oil at the Chemist and nutmeg oil from an Asian food store.

[sabaku no gaara]

Excellent recipe! Can i use his recipe to make canes(orange cane etc)?
Would the clay crack after drying?

[Gomi Romi]

I think its possible, though I noticed the more water I put in the recipe the more it will shrink and distort. However when I smoothed the exterior with a bit of pva thinned with water the surface will dry smoothly. Experiment!

[natnie]

Beautiful, and such basic ingredients that anyone can find. Well done! Can't wait to try it!

[Gomi Romi]

Great! please put up your experiments too.

[killimangnome]

It will eventually harden completely right? not just floppy

[Gomi Romi]

I noticed that by the second day my test piece is rather hard and is a bit translucent.  I shall put up colouring pictures soon.

[jessyratfink]

Gorgeous work! I can't believe something like that is so easy to make. This would be an excellent way to make jewelry. :)

[Gomi Romi]

Yes its brillant for anything, I made test piece last night - because its cold here, it dried to a floppy texture and only the edges were firm. Some recipes online use no water at all to prevent any shrinkage.