Watercolor on Air Dry Clay – DIY Trivets
Learn the trick to using watercolor on air dry clay with this beautiful DIY trivets craft! When you’re done, check out these air dry clay napkin rings too. This post contains affiliate links.
When I needed a new trivet, I pulled out the air dry clay and made one really in minutes (with plenty of dry/waiting time of course). But instead of focusing this tutorial exclusively on the very simple process of making the trivets, I decided to focus it on answering a simple question:
Can you use watercolor on air dry clay?
The answer, as you can imagine from the start of this post, is yes – so let’s explore!
Can you use watercolor on air dry clay? Tips & tricks
Air dry clay is a very soft, porous material and absorbs watercolors nicely. They will eventually dry and give a very cool look to the clay. In fact, as an artist/crafter, I really do enjoy the process of using watercolor on air dry clay – as it can be quite meditative.
However, there are a few hiccups you may face.
When working with watercolors on air dry clay, you’ll see that the more it sits on the surface, the more it absorbs, but once it absorbs, it really becomes part of the clay.
For this reason, my favorite outcomes for watercolor on air dry clay is to fill a deliberate texture. That means, use a piece that has some kind of imprint, and the watercolor it. The paints then pool in the imprint, really highlighting it.
While I’ve used watercolors on air dry clay in other projects, I do find that this is the best way to do it. On others, you may get a bit of a messy look until you work loads more layers in. You can get nice effects still, but it’s not as easy.
If you are working with clay that does NOT have an imprint or a texture you want to highlight, you can use acrylic paints for a solid, bold finish. Or, work with VERY smooth clay.
The watercolor paints will highlight any crease or imperfection. So if you have something more pinch-pot style, instead of getting a great, organic look, you’ll be outlining all the blemishes.
But if you get it right, watercolor on air dry clay gives you a gorgeous soft look, allowing you to add color while keeping things classy.
Another thing I need to point out: you’ll need to add re-drying time to your clay crafts. It’ll absorb and really wet the project, meaning, you’ll want to give it another few days to really absorb before sealing your project.
And a final note: you WILL want to seal it, as anywhere where the watercolor paints sit a little thicker, it’ll rub off easily.
Tips for crafting an air dry clay trivet
Crafting an air dry clay trivet is super easy.
The process is simple: roll out your clay, and cut a shape large enough to suit the hot item you need to place on top. In my case, it’s the perfect size for a small Pyrex dish.
I cut mine in a freeform shape, but you can trace any shape (cut from a paper template) – a flower, a pomegranate, a butterfly – as long as the end result is a a functional size to use as a trivet.
Clay brand matters
When it comes to air dry clay, brand does matter. I do not recommend getting a no-name brand.
Crayola’s air dry clay is a decent brand, and especially kid friendly. DAS is the one I used here since I know that brand to be flame resistant and I originally got the clay to make air dry clay Menorahs. Sculpey is a brand that I find to be great too and is particularly lightweight I believe.
Adding texture
Adding texture is the perfect way to watercolor on air dry clay, as I mentioned above. Not only is clay super fun to texture, but for watercoloring, it allows the paint to pool in those areas, camouflaging imperfections and highlighting the texture.
For this, I used an open-weave mesh table runner. Some more ideas for adding texture:
- Coarse sandpaper is a classic
- Burlap for a more closed-weave design
- Crumpled and uncrumpled foil
- Leaves – either one large one in the center or a few smaller ones arranged into a pattern
- A branch with a pretty formation
Look around your house for anything that doesn’t have TOO much depth but has a pretty pattern and texture.
Finishing it off
While you can leave your air dry clay trivet a rolled-out blob, there are definitely ways to polish it off and finish the look!
First of all, when using watercolor on air dry clay, you DO want to seal it. Especially in areas where it pools and doesn’t absorb as much into the clay it can scratch off. It can also leave a bit of a dusty texture. I used Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge, but any hard-finishing formula can work here, since you’ll really only wipe it clean.
Other ideas include resin or an acrylic spray sealer.
You can also gild the edges using a gold paint marker if you want to highlight them or add a little touch of glam.
And finally, to really make it a finished product, you can tack on some felt furniture sliders to the base, or back it in cork sheet.
Care instructions
To care for your trivet, you’ll primarily want to wipe it clean with a damp cloth. It doesn’t usually get more than the occasional drip.
If you have a deep texture and didn’t allow your sealer to smooth it out, you may need a little help from a dish brush to get things out.
Unless you used a few thorough coats of dishwasher safe mod podge or resin, I don’t recommend soaking it or scrubbing too hard.
How to make a trivet using watercolor on air dry clay
You’ll need
- Air dry clay – I used DAS brand
- Height guides or two books of the width you want your trivets to be
- A rolling pin dedicated to clay
- A surface to work on – I find this silicone mat from Surebonder to be a game-changer
- A craft or utility knife dedicated to clay
- Mesh runner or other fabric to use as an imprint
- A little water in a dish or jar
- A scrap of coarse sandpaper (besides for your imprint if you’re using it for that)
- Watercolor paints – I used Prang for this and find it to be a rich, high quality and affordable option for crafts like this one
- A watercolor brush (they’re usually very absorbent – I used a water brush)
- Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge
- A flat paintbrush
- Felt furniture sliders
Watch the video
Watch the full-length video on YouTube if you prefer to learn that way! Or scroll down for written instructions with photos.
Instructions
1. Place clay thickness guides at the height you want your trivet thickness to be (I used two). Roll out your clay.
2. Roll your texture into it.
3.Use a craft knife to cut out the shape.
4. Use the craft knife as you go along to help you remove excess clay.
5. Dip your fingers into a little water to help you smooth out the edges – but don’t overdo it or you’ll ruin your design.
6. Allow it to dry thoroughly on one side, and then flip it over so that it can finish drying. Don’t flip it too early or it’ll crack.
Use coarse sandpaper to gently smooth it out. Again, just a little touching up is needed.
7. Use watercolor paints to paint your air dry clay trivet.
Don’t overwork it, and let it pool inside the texture.
8. Allow it to redry – not just the paints, but also the trivet itself. Paint on a layer or two of dishwasher safe Mod Podge.
Once the sealer is complete, add felt sliders to the bottom and your clay trivet is complete! Have you ever tried watercolor on air dry clay? How did you find the results to be? Comment below!
Clay Trivets with Watercolor
Learn the trick to using watercolor on air dry clay with this beautiful DIY trivets craft!
Materials
- Air dry clay - I used DAS brand
- Height guides or two books of the width you want your trivets to be
- A rolling pin dedicated to clay
- A surface to work on - I find this silicone mat from Surebonder to be a game-changer
- A craft or utility knife dedicated to clay
- Mesh runner or other fabric to use as an imprint
- A little water in a dish or jar
- A scrap of coarse sandpaper
- Watercolor paints - I used Prang for this and find it to be a rich, high quality and affordable option for crafts like this one
- A watercolor brush (they're usually very absorbent - I used a water brush)
- Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge
- A flat paintbrush
- Felt furniture sliders
Instructions
1. Place clay thickness guides at the height you want your trivet thickness to be (I used two). Roll out your clay.
2. Roll your texture into it.
3.Use a craft knife to cut out the shape.
4. Use the craft knife as you go along to help you remove excess clay.
5. Dip your fingers into a little water to help you smooth out the edges - but don't overdo it or you'll ruin your design.
6. Allow it to dry thoroughly on one side, and then flip it over so that it can finish drying. Don't flip it too early or it'll crack.
Use coarse sandpaper to gently smooth it out. Again, just a little touching up is needed.
7. Use watercolor paints to paint your air dry clay trivet.
Don't overwork it, and let it pool inside the texture.
8. Allow it to redry - not just the paints, but also the trivet itself. Paint on a layer or two of dishwasher safe Mod Podge.
Once the sealer is complete, add felt sliders to the bottom and your clay trivet is complete! Have you ever tried watercolor on air dry clay? How did you find the results to be? Comment below!
Notes
Adding texture is the perfect way to watercolor on air dry clay.. Not only is clay super fun to texture, but for watercoloring, it allows the paint to pool in those areas, camouflaging imperfections and highlighting the texture.
For this, I used an open-weave mesh table runner. Some more ideas for adding texture:
- Coarse sandpaper is a classic
- Burlap for a more closed-weave design
- Crumpled and uncrumpled foil
- Leaves - either one large one in the center or a few smaller ones arranged into a pattern
- A branch with a pretty formation
When using watercolor on air dry clay, you DO want to seal it. Especially in areas where it pools and doesn't absorb as much into the clay it can scratch off. It can also leave a bit of a dusty texture. I used Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge, but any hard-finishing formula can work here, since you'll really only wipe it clean.
To care for your trivet, you'll primarily want to wipe it clean with a damp cloth. It doesn't usually get more than the occasional drip.
