How To Make Paper Clay

Angela Mellor (angelamellor.com) has been a long time favorite paper clay artist of mine, and if you take a peek at the photo, you will see how paper clay helps her achieve such a delicate appearance on her work.

I particularly love the contrast between the smoothness of the bowl and the beautifully formed textured edge and decoration, it makes such a statement of style, gorgeous work!

An old and abandoned birds nest from the shed is currently being transformed into a clay piece. I do like to use found objects for art projects and I thought the birds nest would offer me a challenge or two, and it has.

One of the benefits of using paper clay is that you can use it in a variety of 'states' eg: from liquid to plastic, to suit your project.

I used a plastic mix to reinforce the base and decided to use liquid slip for the inner woven part. The challenge has been how to get the liquid slip into the fabric of the woven twigs etc.

60p later, I had a childs medicine syringe, which has worked a treat. As the slip is 'wet' it dampens the dry structure of the nest, so has to be inserted in stages and dried out in between. It is drying at the moment. If the process works as planned I will take a photo or two to show you the progress.

How To Make Paper Clay

Paperclay

PAPERCLAY BIRDS NEST AFTER BISQUE FIRING

The great thing about experimentation is that you get to de-construct that which you have constructed:

The images in the above module show the sequence of my 'deconstruction' of the paper clay bids nest after bisque firing.

How to Make Paper Clay Pears.
This paper clay pear is one of several items that made it intact through my small pit firing.

Using the paper clay mixture already shown, the pear was formed around a paper wad (not essential, just the way I do it). After biscuit firing in the kiln, it was placed into the pit fire and left to 'cook' away. Once cooked and cooled, the pear was polished with beeswax, buffed to shine and a twig from a tree in the garden was used for the pears stalk.

The coloring of the pear is smoke (black) absorbed from the pit fire and the clay body color. I have been making these for years and they are real favorites as gifts. I also use thick copper wire as an alternative for the stalk.

You don't have to have a kiln to make and use Paper Clay. This photo shows my own "alternative kilns" pit firing and smoking pit.

Paper clay can be air dried, pit fired or BBQ'd.

Air Dried Paper Clay: -

Once you have made your hobby or art item, simply leave it somewhere warm and dry. The piece will eventually become bone dry. Once dry, paint with acrylic paints to your required design and when dry, seal with acrylic varnish. (great fun for kids - follow safety instructions on varnish can.

Paper Clay Pit Firing | Photo: My new garden firing & smoking pit
Adult supervision obviously. Dig a little pit in the ground, mind you don't ruin the lawn. Fill with twigs leaves, sawdust, like a little camp fire. Light and leave to burn a little. Carefully place in your clay item and cover with more. Don't worry too much about the clay, paperclay is rather forgiving. Leave alone to burn down and do not remove the clay piece until the fire is completely cold. Everything should be intact. Wash off ash, dry then polish with beeswax. The clay will not be vitreous (not fully cooked).

BBQ your paper clay

Only do this after you have cooked your food :>) Same process as the pit fire can be contained in a BBQ, and the BBQ coals can add further heat to the process and can take it to bisque stage depending upon your clay and thickness. Finish the same way with wax.