Bread Based Modeling Clays

Bread Based Clay Recipes & Tips

Here are some craft ideas for bread based modeling clays that do not require cooking or oven curing. The clay will keep up to three weeks in the refrigerator.

The "no cooking or baking required" aspect makes bread clays the perfect choice for projects to do with your kids. Yet the results are of good quality. They are perfect for such things as Christmas ornaments, different shaped beads and more.

A few tips for working with bread based modeling clays:

• Expect shrinkage of up to 50% as your pieces dry;
• Dough can be whitened a bit by adding two tablespoons of chalk powder;
• To color dough, use acrylic paints [ Adding paint before storage shortens the shelf life but doing it after refrigeration is more difficult because the dough is stiffer ];
• Dough can be hand modeled, as well as pressed into molds;
• Projects may also be made with uncolored clay, then painted after curing;
• Can be used to make molds. For example if you have a nice dimensional ornament of a Santa face, make your own mold by pressing the ornament into a flattened piece of bread dough clay, let dry, then make your own Santa face ornaments using the mold (note they will be smaller than the original because of the double shrinkage, but that may be just fine);
• Roll it out flat and cut with cookie cutters - a great craft idea for younger children;
• Impressions like "Joy" or "Peace" can be carved or stamped into the dough while soft;
• Usually dries in 24 hours, but if humidity is high, pieces may take up to a week to dry;
• When dry, pieces can be antiqued by painting over with black, gold, brown, etc., then burnishing paint off of the high surfaces with a soft cloth;
• Cured objects may be smoothed by rubbing gently with sandpaper, emery board or emery cloth;
• Another craft idea: to seal and add gloss, spray the cured project with Krylon acrylic sealer or brush on Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Clear Gloss Glaze
• Store clay in refrigerator wrapped in plastic or sealed in a Ziploc bag placed in an airtight container;
• Clay keeps in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks;
• Do not use your products for food or beverages [ For an explanation, read Polymer Clay Safety Tips, especially the the section "Food and Polymer Clay" The same logic applies. ];
• Leftover crusts make good bread pudding!

Bread Based Modeling Clay Recipes

Bread Clay Recipe One
(courtesy of Kay Davies, a great source of craft ideas, whose bread modeling clay beads are pictured here)

• 1. Remove crusts.
• 2. The ingredients are: 7 slices white bread, 7 tablespoons PVA glue, like Elmer's Glue All, and 7 drops glycerin.
• Break the bread into small pieces or shred in food processor and place in medium size bowl.
• Add glue and glycerin.
• Use your hands to combine.
• Work it until you get a nice clay consistency.
• Add drops of water to thin or more bread to thicken (bread densities vary).
• 3. An interesting craft idea: if you prefer whiter clay, add two tablespoons of chalk powder.
• 4. Divide dough when you are ready to color it. Mix acrylic paint into the dough and fully incorporate. Adding color before storage shortens the shelf life but doing it after refrigeration is more difficult because the dough is stiffer.
• 5. Can be refrigerated in well-sealed plastic bags up to three weeks.

Here is another example of bread based modeling clay jewelry.

Bread Clay Recipe Two

(these photos are some of my work)

• 1. Remove crusts.
• 2. The ingredients are: 7 slices white bread, 7 teaspoons PVA glue, like Elmer's Glue All, ½ teaspoon water and ½ teaspoon dish soap.
• Break the bread into small pieces or shred in food processor and place in medium size bowl.
• Add glue, water and soap.

• Use your hands to combine.
• Work it until you get a nice clay consistency.
• Add drops of water to thin or more bread to thicken (bread densities vary).
• 3. If you prefer whiter clay, add two tablespoons of chalk powder.
• 4. Divide dough when you are ready to color it. Mix acrylic paint into the dough and fully incorporate. Adding color before storage shortens the shelf life but doing it after refrigeration is more difficult because the dough is stiffer.
• 5. Can be refrigerated in well-sealed plastic bags up to three weeks.

These pictures are just a few of the different things you can do with bread based modeling clay. Let your imagination run wild and come up with some new craft ideas of your own!

Be sure to read my other articles about Home Cured Modeling Clays.