what is air dry clay

Air dry clay is a type of clay that dries or cures with air. It is a versatile product that can be used in many craft projects, including beginners’ craft projects and children’s toys. Unlike traditional clays, air dry clay does not need to be heated. It typically has a spongy, soft, and light composition which makes it very easy to manipulate and shape. Air dry clay takes about one to two days to fully set depending on the thickness of the piece. Once it has dried, the clay will have a porous and spongy texture. Air dry clay comes in many vibrant colors often sealed in airtight bags, but they can also be colored with acrylic paint. Some brands of air dry clay can get pretty close to the strength of fired ceramics, but generally, air dry clay is not as strong as fired ceramics. However, there are some steps you can take to strengthen your final sculpture. Sealing air dry clay is easy and can be done using an aerosol acrylic sealer, acrylic paint with a sealer built-in, or decoupage.