Yes, you can absolutely make pots with air dry clay.
Creating Pots with Air Dry Clay
Air dry clay is a versatile material that does not require firing in a kiln, making it accessible for creating various craft items, including decorative pots and planters. It hardens simply by being exposed to air over a period of 24-72 hours, depending on the thickness and humidity.
Techniques for Making Pots
There are several methods for forming pots using air dry clay:
- Pinch Pots: Starting with a ball of clay, you shape it by pinching and pressing with your fingers.
- Coil Building: Rolling the clay into ropes or coils and stacking them to build up the walls of the pot.
- Slab Building: Rolling the clay into flat sheets (slabs) and joining them together to create the pot's form.
- Using an Armature: Covering an existing object (like a plastic container or balloon) with clay to create the shape.
As demonstrated in the reference video snippet "Air Dry Clay Planters for beginners," one effective technique involves covering a container to form the pot. The video shows how air dry clay is applied to fully cover a container and then smoothed out using water on the fingers to blend the surfaces and achieve a smooth finish. This method is excellent for creating sturdy planters or decorative pot covers using an existing structure as a base.
Considerations for Air Dry Clay Pots
While easy to use, it's important to understand the properties of air dry clay when making pots:
- Water Sensitivity: Air dry clay softens or can disintegrate when exposed to significant amounts of water over time. Pots made with air dry clay are generally not fully waterproof without adequate sealing.
- Sealing: To make them more durable and water-resistant, finished and dried air dry clay pots should be sealed. Various sealants like acrylic sealers, varnishes, or epoxy resin can be used, both inside and out.
- Intended Use: Due to their water sensitivity, air dry clay pots are often best used for:
- Decorative pieces
- Cachepots (covers placed over standard plant pots to hide them)
- Holding dry items (like artificial plants, dried flowers, or desk supplies)
Making pots with air dry clay is a rewarding project for beginners and experienced crafters alike, offering a simple way to create unique handmade containers.
