Clay Day | Pepper Paints

We dragged out the really heavy tub of real clay. Not play dough, not modeling clay, not sculpey or plasticine, but real clay. It is so different than the others. It is real! We bought ours a long time ago-if properly wrapped the clay will not dry out and will last a long time. Check your local phonebook for a place near by that sells clay.

It is a little hard at first but unlike modeling clay, it will become a bit more pliable, but then it dries out. Having a bit of water nearby to wet your fingertips is a good idea. Yet, you don’t want to soak the clay either.

You can add some tools if you want or not. We used a mallet, roller, butter knives, among a few others.

Molly is our resident expert in all things clay. She has been taking hand building and pottery wheel classes for about 5 years now. She worked with a chunk for a while, then pounded it flat, then rolled it then cut shapes out with a knife. She used wet fingers as glue and to make the clay more pliable.

I suggested we make some pinch pots but they had other plans. That was fine, maybe next time. It has been awhile since we have had the clay out so they just wanted to mess round. She made a table, chairs and a highchair-and some people too.

Ginger mad a few things too, and put hers in the sun to dry. This clay is a lot about process and not product-unless you have an experienced participant and they have played with the clay many times before or if your younger child sees your older child making a particular something. Really this clay is an experience-to squeeze, pound, poke and smash.

We will air dry our clay pieces because our kiln is not working. Air dried pieces are not as strong and will not hold water. This is a great outside activity. It can get messy but it all washes off. Also, you do not want to let any clay go down your drain -hand washing is OK but no chunks or sludge! They worked with the clay for almost 2 hours this afternoon. It was very relaxing for all of us!

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9 Comments so far

Cool. Hey, do you know where to get local, Ohio clay? Someone told me once there is a place you can either buy it or dig it out yourself.

When I was a girl, we lived near a place that had very red, clay soil (in Oklahoma.) We used to dig it out and make stuff, and I have always wanted to boys to be able to do this, and see where it comes from! XO

Playing with clay is one of the most relaxing activities. Note to self: buy some.

ALISSA—-Try Columbus Clay on 5th. We also dug a bunch up at the beach at Delaware State Park. We brought buckets home. We let it dry out, smasherd it up into crumbs and wet it down again. I think Molly even took some into her class to use.

Hey Kristen, We have been buying that air dry clay at prisms, but when it dries , it breaks. We’ve lost all those wonderful monsters Steven made

Without the kiln, will the kids sculptures last?

PS. Alissa, We also found some in the creekbed at Slate Run down by the first bridge on the path by the privy. I don’t know if you ever would get clear out there though, but something to keep in mind if you do. Also, my scouts found some in Blendon Woods in the creekbed last summer

So totally not responding to this subject in particular, but your blog as a whole.

I love your blog

I’ve never been an “artistic” person besides a mad passionate love for visiting galleries, supporting local artists, and my own photography.

So I wanted to cultivate a love of not only appreciating art, but nurturing the creativity that exists in children.

So I read your blog, look at what your little ones are producing, and pour out some tempra paints near a huge sheet of butcher paper and let my 22 month go to town.

I let her roll clay between her hands, and learn how it moves and changes, and how you can change the consistancy with water or a hair dryer

And I’m loving finding green paint behind my girls ear days after we have used green paint (though I suppose that speaks poorly to my hygene habits)

So thanks

oh I miss clay. Haven’t done it since college. I’ll have to introduce my kiddos to it soon. thanks for the reminder!

KAREN—-My kids clay sculptures will last as long as they are careful with them-they will be fragile with out being fired. I really need to get our kiln fixed up-it needs a new lid. It is one of my goals for the summer-I have a dream of making a set of dishes and bowls for my family!

ERIN—-Good hygene is over rated we should all be more european and save water and be more in touch with our own scents-ha ha ! But seriously, thank you so much for the nice comment. Glad to hear your girl has a momma that knows how important creativity is!

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