Using Household Items to Texture Air Dry Clay

Give new life to air dry clay projects by using items you have in your home. When I break out my package of clay to begin a project, I have several different items on hand to use for texturing. You can use almost anything to create a variety of looks from stone to simple designs. The possibilities are almost endless.

Kitchen

Look in cabinets, drawers and the refrigerator for items you can use. Texture clay with plastic bins you buy fruit in to make miniature waffles. Decorative handles on silverware are perfect for imprinting clay silverware. Use the ridges, designs or raised logos on glassware and platters to make your own fancy miniature dishes and glasses. Make a bag for tiny onions using the mesh bags you buy onions in at the store to imprint the design into the clay. Other kitchen items you can use to make rough textures, light or deep, include paper towels, sponges and corks. Make a loose or tight ball of aluminum foil to get different texture effects.

The Craft Drawer

Most crafters have more than one craft or hobby. Take advantage of your wide range of interests by looking through the drawers, or room, of craft supplies for items to texture air dry clay. Put a toothpick through textured beads to make it easier to roll across the surface. Beads texture projects such as miniature tools or food. Rubber stamps are useful for imprinting images or words. Use them on projects such as stepping stones or plaques. Craft foam gives the clay surface a roughened, stone texture for a miniature house, while pipe cleaners brushed over the clay can give it the look of stucco.

Miscellaneous Household Items

Dig up useful texturing items for air dry clay from your jewelry box, bathroom or closet. Vintage jewelry with raised surfaces, filigree earrings and necklace chains are good for textures or designs. Use a hair comb to make ribbing of different widths on clothing or hats. Zippers make many interesting patterns, especially along the edge of a plaque, or on clothes. Drag an old toothbrush across clay to give it a wispy, feathery look. A slight change in pressure roughens the clay to look more like stone. A small piece of lace makes an almost endless combination of designs. Press the lace onto an ink pad of any color, then press it on the clay.

Garage

Sandpaper isn't just for sanding wood anymore. If you like to make food miniatures, sandpaper, any grit, is perfect for texturing bread. Grab a Phillips screw driver to make a few stars in a landscape scene or a pattern on the clothing of miniature clay people. Take part of a rope, the threads on a screw or a ball of string and roll it around for a variety of patterns. Use the threads on screws on miniature tool handles, or the heads of nuts and bolts to make different textures and imprints.

This is only the beginning of the list of household items that can be used to texture air dry clay. Take a fresh look at everyday things with a thought to how it could be used. Even bits of packaging are useful if they have texture on them or something you can use to imprint a design.