Imagination is all you need, along with findings from around the home plus many of the materials from this web site. Newspaper and wall paper paste make excellent papier m¢ch© as does paper pulp combined with CMC (Methyl Cellulose) paste or Silk Paper Medium.
This Newclay Dragon was made by 11 year old Liam Farlow
Newclay is a nylon reinforced modelling clay which can be left to air dry, offering satisfactory results, or fired in a kiln at 1000°C-1250°C. The nylon content helps to reduce brittleness and increase strength.
The modelling clay can be used to make models, embellishments such as beads and for making blocks for printing. The dry clay can be painted with any paint. The Dragon model above was painted with Jacquard Lumiere acrylic paints.
Larger models can be made by scrunching up paper to use as a former and covering with clay. This will make models lighter once they have dried. If the clay begins to dry out while it is being modelled, the surface can be dampened with a sponge and components of a model (such as ears and arms) can be added by wetting the modelling clay with water and smoothing the joint together. If pieces do not stay adhered, PVA glue offers an adequate solution. Dry Newclay models can also be glued to other surfaces with PVA, making it ideal for decorating box lids or even book covers.
Modroc
Modroc offers a robust, permanent modelling medium. It is a gauze strip impregnated with a special resin based plaster. A superb product for creating three dimensional work. Models can be created by adding Modroc in layers over a wire framework, mold or former. While wet the surface can be textured or embellished with fibres such as Angelina, skeleton leaves, silk, cotton or wool tops. It also has the capacity for fine detail and can be easily reworked when wet. Once dry, it is hard wearing, rock hard and lightweight.
Modroc pots covered with skeleton leaves and scrim, painted with Jacquard paints
Polymer Clay
Polymer clay is a highly versatile modelling material that can be hardened by baking in the home oven. Once baked it is permanent and can be cut, sawn, glued, painted and more. It is available in every colour of the rainbow and lends itself well to jewellery making, doll making, miniature model making.
Tiny giraffe fashioned from polymer clay by Sophie Scanlon, and model car by Sue Heaser
Art Clay Silver Clay
The magical medium of Art Clay Silver clay consists of finely ground pure silver mixed with non-toxic binders and water. Presented as an off-white putty, this malleable clay can be easily worked into unique and personalised jewellery or ornaments. Items can be made as thin as 1mm thick. Once fired, the binders burn away leaving pure, 99.9% silver which can be hallmarked .999.
Art Clay Silver clay Leaf by Sharon Crockford, and simple Silver rings
The firing process is remarkably simple and can be achieved with the minimum of cost. Small pieces of Art Clay Silver can be fired easily on a wire mesh laid across a gas hob or the pieces can be fired using a blow torch and a fibre brick. Kiln firing is also an option and allows more than one piece to be fired at a time.