... easy to learn and easy to self-correct. If you make a mistake, just try again!

... safe and fun. It dries with air! That also means you need to keep it in an air-tight container if you have not finished and want to keep using it.

There are many varieties of clay. Choosing the right clay will depend on the project, budget, your skill level. If you are planning on doing ceramics, the type of kiln to fire the clay that is available must also be considered as kiln's have different temperature limits.

What is clay?

Clay is...

• made up of the finest particles of rock eroded by wind and rain which are carried off by running water. These particles gather at the bottom of rivers or streams where they are firmly pressed together.

• squishy and elastic when it is wet, and you can make any shape you like.

• feels like chocolate when it dries slightly so you can carve or scrape designs on it.

• it can be made soft again by wetting it with water

The shape of clay is not permanent until it is heated to high temperature unless it is air-dry clay. Air-dry clay hardens with air.

Air-dry Clay

You will be using air-dry clay to make your clay desserts. It will dry and harden just by leaving to dry in the air after you have finished.

2 Types of Air-dry Clay:

There are 2 common types of air-dry clay. This very lightweight air-dry clay is less messy and easier to form your clay sculptures but it dries very quickly. You need to sketch and plan your clay sculptures ahead of time and attach any decorative details to your sculptures in one sitting.

This type of clay is commonly sold in sets of a variety of colours. You can buy small tubs or packets of colourful air-dry clay to make figurines, miniature food or your favourite cartoon characters.

The other type of air-dry clay (brands include Jovi, Das, Sculpt-dry) feels closer to clay you use in ceramics. It can be softened with water and comes in white or terracotta brown.

• Working with such clay can get messy so keep the clay on the plastic-lined paper or cloth (an old t-shirt you have outgrown will work).

• Leave it to air-dry once you are finished. But keep it in an air-tight container to continuing shaping it if you are not.

• Air-dry clay lets you be really creative as you can make various forms and shapes.

• Paint the dried and hard clay with acrylic paints neatly. Plan your colours before you start.