Back when Ebby was, let's see, 4 yrs. old, we used to "do salt clay" fairly often. I'd create the shapes using cookie cutters and after they were baked and hardened, Ebby (and sometimes the boys) would decorate. We used all sorts of embellishments: paints, glitter, chalk, acrylic gems.
That summer Ebby's preschool bff Danielle couldn't make it to her birthday party. Instead we invited Danielle and her sister Rachael over to decorate salt clay and eat cupcakes. The afternoon apparently made quite an impression.
A few weeks ago Danielle slept over and the girls asked if they could decorate salt clay--just like they used to do ☺. Sure I'd spent the afternoon with Ebby and another friend making cake balls, but how could how refuse such a nod to crafty nostalgia??
The girls picked out the cookie cutters, I made the salt clay and baked the shapes. The next morning it was time to paint.
I love this zebra shoe that Ebby did.
Danielle (and Ebby) made several adorable gnomes by turning the ice cream cone shape upside down. So clever.
Who knew, salt clay, fun for all ages!
In case you're interested, here's the salt clay recipe I use:
SALT CLAY
2c. flour
1c. salt
1c. warm water
1t. oil (optional)
- Mix salt & flour
- Add in warm water and oil (if using)
- Combine until all dry ingredients are incorporated
- Form salt clay into a ball and knead several times until pliable
- Roll out clay on floured surface 1/4-1/2 inch thick (or you can sculpt shapes freehand)
- Cut out shapes with cookie cutters or implement of your choice
- Bake at 250 degrees until shapes have hardened and clay is no longer moist (usually 1 1/2-2 hours but varies)
Decorate and enjoy!
