r/clay • • 15h ago

Ceramic Clay Clay head sculpture! Finished

56 Upvotes

The sculpting is finally complete! The only step left before firing is to hollow out the piece. I'm going to give firing it a try, so fingers crossed everything goes well!

For now, the sculpture is finished. Time to get it ready for the kiln!


r/clay • • 17h ago

Polymer-Clay Again made a little cozy desk friend lamp

29 Upvotes

Meet Little Apple Pipin (lamp) 🐡🍎

Made a little video.

Currently one of my favorite cozy desk friend! I also left it matte instead of glazing it and I honestly love it!

I also finally opened my own website which serves as my portfolio currently, hopefully it will flourish to a webshop one day! I am also open for pre orders finally, to try out, hopefully it will go well, I don't want think and wonder, but just do it.


r/clay • • 22h ago

Air-Dry Clay Airdry clay is cracking like crazy.

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24 Upvotes

Cosplay for ACOTAR trying to add to a foam sword and maybe it's just the wrong medium... What do I do? Any help is appreciated.


r/clay • • 17h ago

Air-Dry Clay First time

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19 Upvotes

First time ever working with clay. Did a birthday train for my 1 year old. Air dry clay is used.


r/clay • • 12h ago

Polymer-Clay Charms I made for Halloween 🖤

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17 Upvotes

r/clay • • 20h ago

Mixed Media Costumes vs Clay

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14 Upvotes

So I've seen a lot of posts lately about masks, head pieces, accessories and props. I can only guess there will be more coming up as we get closer to Halloween. I hope I can offer some good advice for those seeking to use clay for props and costumes.

For head pieces, long items and items that require strong support (large masks, horns, antlers, weapons like swords and guns, pieces that extend from your body more than 6 inches,etc ) I would highly recommend using foam entirely or foam clay. Large and extra long pieces still might require a stronger base or structure underneath, even if made from foam, but usually they hold their shape pretty well. I have used wire beneath my own foam cosplay to support the shape I want them to hold.

Foam is not the cheapest option, I'll admit, but i started off using craft foam sheets from the dollar store and my hair dryer to warm them to shape and mold! You can also use yoga mats, gyms mats, and child play mats for thicker pieces like armor or helmets and masks! All of which I have also used!

In addition, foam clay can be used to add details to the base of your props/ costumes. It can still be sanded and finished much the same. I used foam clay to fill the cracks and seams of my foam masks as well as details in the gums of my chainsaw man helmet. Though I've seen it be used to create textures like wood grain, vines, and small floral details. I've seen it also used for gory details like veins, blood vessels and viscera!

For smaller more detailed pieces like costume jewelry, buttons, charms, tiny pieces, air dry and even polymer clay would be more suitable. I've seen people make earrings, broaches, necklace and bracelet charms, jewels, and tiny decorations that can usually be added onto their existing props/costumes. Think of hanging charms on staffs and swords, and even gun charms too! Air dry clay can hold very good detail in small pieces and can be beautifully sanded to a smooth finish. These pieces can be finished with acrylic pain, UV resin to give them gloss, or even spray painted. Similarly 2 part epoxy sculpt or clay can work much like other air dry clays if your looking for an incredibly smooth finish.

I would recommend only using these kinds of clays for smaller detail work. Large or thick props/costumes will have a high chance of cracking and breaking and nothing is more disappointing than losing your hard work. These types of clays are more for suitable for sculpting decorative pieces that will not see much action or have to support much weight or movement. (Ex. Statues, sculpts, figures, etc)

I hope this was even a little helpful to those who may be working on your costumes right now! If you have any questions or looking for alternative materials I'd be happy to help! I'm not here to say foam is the only option, its just a more sturdier option. There's other materials such as cardboard, plastic, paper mache/paper crafting! Its not about the materials you use, it's about knowing how to use them so that your costume holds up! Happy Halloween all!


r/clay • • 15h ago

Air-Dry Clay Made this clay camera frame

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6 Upvotes

Same as tge title, i made this clay camera thingy for my gfs birthday. I need honest reviews with how i can improve more and was also planning to start a business with clay thingys


r/clay • • 15h ago

Epoxy Clay I was asked to make a bunch of these mermaids ✨ i wanted to show the main piece since i loved the outcome

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7 Upvotes

I was commissioned to make a bunch of these in metallic colors, this will be the main piece, which i will be making a silicone mold, i really loved the outcome and wanted to share since it's so much smaller than usual pieces i make, hand sculpted in epoxy clay


r/clay • • 18h ago

Questions Purified clay is multicolored. Does this mean some silt got through while straining?

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5 Upvotes

not sure if this is the right sub, if there’s a better one for self processing clay let me know! I’ve been purifying my own clay by wet processing it and straining it. This batch for some reason was a bit multicolored though. i have two theories: one is that the bottom stuff was dryer so it darkened a bit. The other theory is that some silt got through my strainer, and since it’s heavier particles it settled faster which is why it was on the bottom. Any thoughts? Should I just redo this batch?

edit: there is definitely some slight grit when I rub my fingers together with it


r/clay • • 13h ago

Polymer-Clay Clay Turtwig I made for my nephew

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4 Upvotes

r/clay • • 19h ago

Polymer-Clay Baking before assembling

2 Upvotes

I'm new to working with polymer clay. I tried creating something and when I tried to add the eyeballs I ended up squishing them when I was doing other parts. It just kind of ended up a squished together mess. I was wondering what everyone's experience is with pre cooking pieces so that they maintain shape and then adding either cooked or uncooked polymer clay to those, and how you go about it. Is it possible? Otherwise, do you think maybe the brand I had was just too squishy for me and I need a firmer brand of clay? Thanks.


r/clay • • 19h ago

Questions Where can I find the cheapest clay?

2 Upvotes

I’m trying to find something that I can use to make a mold via shallow indent (I have a container to keep the sides in place if it can break like that when I push my good clay into the mold it won’t be an issue) but I’m not sure where to look for super cheap stuff that doesn’t have corrupt business practices


r/clay • • 7h ago

Questions Hi, Need suggestion on a child safe cold porcelain worry stone sealant

1 Upvotes

I am making some worry stones to sell for children and I wanted to know what is a good child safe/food safe sealant in this case. My main worry is that the coating will come off after some time the more children rub with sweaty hands or it reacting with the acrylic paint I will be using. Its a bonus if the coating doesn't need a month to cure too. thanks in advance