Salt dough or clay for longevity?

jem1276

Hi,

Looking to make hand/footprint Christmas decorations for the family with our baby.

What would be more robust/longer lasting?

I have read about something called 'modgepodge' or an acrylic sealant to put on after painting for protection, does anyone recommend anything?

We are making mugs at the local ceramics cafe but the decorations (which are gorgeous) are £10 each :eek: we want to do few so will try at home.

x

jackomdj

We had salt dough ornaments toured in the loft which disintergrated when we went to get them out so I would say clay if there is a chance of them being in a cold damp place.

inspirespirit

definitely clay. If you have a look on Pinterest, there's loads of tips and ideas.

jem1276

Thanks very much. :beer:

jem1276

So many types of clay when googling for such a dizzy brain :rotfl:

Is it polymer clay (fimo?) x

vikki_louise

At school we always varnished with watered down pva glue, much cheaper!

inspirespirit

yes, you can use polymer clay. You can also use air dry clay. You don't have to bake it and it is quite light if you are going to make decorations to hang on a tree.
As Vikki said, you can use watered down PVA instead of Modge podge. virtually the same and loads cheaper. Have fun.
Buy off ebay. You can get a big block of air dry clay for under a fiver.

zanuda

1. Salt Dough – if moisture somehow get into (they accumulate it from the air – if you have problems with humidity) – they will get mouldy.
2. Ceramic Shop – is it the one where you paint and they glaze, or the one where you made it out of clay? If it is the painting one, it’s worth to ask whether they allow to bring the piece of your own and paint there, they find something either from craft shops or (probably cheaper) from the internet.
3. Did you think... name escapes me Filo...something (paste?). It’s like a plastic. First you use it like plasticine, then bake it and it becomes solid. Expensive, probably it’s better to use for small decorations , but it comes in a lot of bright colours.

l0ubbl0u

I have always used salt dough for ds's decs, so far they have lasted 8 year if people have kept them out of the attic. I keep ours in a box in the kitchen as we have lots! This year we are making his and my mindees hands into Father Christmas and I will add some ginger into the dough as we made gingerbread men about 4 years ago and they still smell.

nic2075

Jem if you want some Fimo I can send you some. I have tons of the stuff I'll never use. Loads in sealed packages. Pm me if you want a few packs to try. You can have them for free.

You can roll it and squash it til its lovely, soft and pliable then mould it anyway you want. You then bake it in a normal oven for about half an hour. You can varnish it, or paint it etc afterwards x

jem1276

Thanks so much for the replies, I am grateful for the advice as we and the family will want to treasure these first Christmas decorations forever x

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCOLA-Air-Drying-Air-dry-Modelling-Clay-12-5-kg-for-Arts-Crafts-060641-/130745192977?pt=UK_Crafts_Ceramic_PotteryMaking_SM&hash=item1e71055211#ht_2555wt_1271 would this work?

nic2075 that is so lovely of you but not for free! I will PM you x