With spring just weeks away, I was trying to think of something crafty and festive that I haven’t done in a while.  You remember salt clay?  I’d nearly forgotten its existence.  Fortunately, it’s easy.  It’s cheap.  And it’s something so basic that you probably have everything you already need.  Gotta love a little spring project you can whip together with no sweat.  Here’s mine:

Nests are pretty easy to make.  The dishes are perfect for holding earrings and small items, too.  I’m having a tough time leaving mine as is… upgrades to come later this week!

Homemade salt clay

1/2 c flour
1/4 c plus 2 tbl salt
1/4 c water
2 tbl cooking oil
drop of essential oil (optional – I loved the peppermint smell as these baked)
drop of food coloring (optional)

1. Mix together the flour, salt, and oil in a small bowl.  
2. Combine water, essential oil, and food coloring.  Add slowly to flour mixture, stirring throughout.
3. Shape items and bake at 300 degrees F (150C) for around 45 minutes (longer for thicker items)

Makes two nests.

Split the dough in half.  Make a ball, and poke your thumb into it to start forming a pinch pot.  Keep working your thumb around and around the clay, squeezing outward.  This clay isn’t particularly strong, so use a bowl for better structure.

Trim the excess off the edges of your bowl to make it even.  (The cut-off pieces become the eggs)

Remove the clay from the bowl, place on a piece of foil, and roll little balls in your hands for the eggs with leftovers.  Start baking.  Flip the bowl over halfway through cooking so that everything dries out evenly.  Easy, peasy, huh?

This entry was posted on Monday, March 2nd, 2009 at 4:33 am and is filed under How to: Whip Up Decor, Crafts & Gifts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.