A few tips for working with cornstarch based modeling clays:

• Expect shrinkage of up to 30% as your pieces dry;
• You may add powdered or liquid paint (see specific recipe for type of paint to use) either when making the clay or when you are ready to model it, but adding color before storing it reduces the clay’s shelf life;
• Adding too much paint alters the recipe and could cause the dough to dry out or crack when cured – if you want intense color, reduce one of the liquid ingredients (water if using water-based paint, oil if using oil-based paint);
• Projects may also be made with uncolored clay, then painted after curing;
• A small amount of hand cream on your palms will help you make smoother forms;
• It takes an average of 2 days for a modeled object to dry at room temperature ;
• For quicker results, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Turn oven off. Place the project on a wire rack in the oven and leave until the oven has cooled off;
• Cured objects may be smoothed by rubbing gently with sandpaper, emery board or emery cloth;
• When dry, can be antiqued by painting over with black, gold, brown, etc., then burnishing off of the high surfaces with a soft cloth;
• Spray cured project with Krylon acrylic sealer or brush on Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Clear Gloss Glaze for a porcelain look;
• Pastel colors will be darker when cured but can be lightened a bit if you seal as above;
• Do not use your products for food or beverages. 
• Store clay in a cool, dark place wrapped in plastic or sealed in a Ziploc bag placed in an airtight container.

Cornstarch Based Modeling Clay Recipes

Cornstarch Modeling Clay Recipe #3

Cold Porcelain Clay

[I read somewhere in a Spanish website that authentic cold porcelain clay contains alabaster powder, but no matter, this looks like porcelain to me.]

1. Combine in a Teflon-coated pot:
1 cup polyvinyl acetate glue such as Elmer’s Glue All
1 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons Vaseline oil (not jelly) - if unavailable where you live, substitute baby oil or pharmaceutical grade mineral oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice.
2. Cook on low heat stirring constantly for 10 minutes or until dough forms and begins to come away from the sides. If you have a gas stove, you may need to use a heat diffuser under the pot to avoid burning the dough.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool until you can handle it.
4. Knead into a smooth clay consistency.
5. Store in a cool, dark place at noted in tips above.
6. Tempura powder or acrylic paints may be used for coloring the dough.

Cornstarch Modeling Clay Recipe #1

Victorian Salt Clay

Cornstarch modeling clays containing salt are the most porous, so are only suitable for craft projects that have a rough or rustic finish.

Mix 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan.
2. Mix 1 cup cornstarch and ½ cup ice water in a bowl.
3. Stirring constantly, heat salt combination over a low flame for about 4 minutes. Do not boil. If you have a gas stove, you may need to use a heat diffuser under the pot to avoid burning the dough.
4. Remove from heat. Quickly stir in the cornstarch and water. If mixture is too thin, return to low heat and stir constantly until of clay consistency.
5. Store in a cool, dark place at noted in tips above.
6. Tempura powder or acrylic paints may be used for coloring the dough.

Cornstarch Modeling Clay Recipe #2 Pasta Francesa

Variations of this recipe are very popular in Latin America. Many call for 10% formaldehyde (formalin or formol), but this is optional. If formalin is included, the clay actually becomes a polymer, and therefore has a longer shelf life and suffers less shrinkage.

I believe it is much safer to purchase commercial polymer clays than to make your own.

1. Mix in a Teflon-coated pot until completely dissolved:
1 cup cornstarch
½ cup water.
Add and incorporate
1 cup polyvinyl acetate glue such as Elmer’s Glue All
Add and incorporate
1 ½ tablespoons glycerin
1 ½ tablespoons cold cream with lanolin
¼ teaspoon formalin (optional).
2. Cook on low heat stirring constantly until dough forms and begins to come away from the sides. Take care not to overcook or the dough will harden. If you have a gas stove, you may need to use a heat diffuser under the pot to avoid burning the dough.
3. Remove from heat, cover with a damp cloth and allow to cool until you can handle it.
4. Knead into a smooth clay consistency.
5. Store in a cool, dark place at noted in tips above.

6. Oil paints may be used for coloring the dough before curing; oil or acrylics may be used to paint after curing.

Once you have made the clay, your personal craft ideas can take free reign. The types of crafts that can be made are mind boggling!

Cold Porcelain Paste Recipe

· 3/4 cup of white glue

· 1 cup cornstarch

· 1/2 cup of water

· 1 teaspoon of cold cream

· 1 teaspoon of glycerin

Mix wet ingredients until smooth over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes and add cornstarch. Stir continually until it forms a ball, remove from pan and mix thoroughly with hands. (I like to cover with a damp cloth until it's cool enough to handle.) Do not refrigerate. Keep in an airtight bag... Use as you would any modeling paste, can be molded and used in many ways... use chalk powder to color, or paint with any paint when dry. Use cold cream to moisten mold and/or when you are working with it, if it becomes sticky.. Or ..dust with cornstarch...adjust ingredients for more or less.

Mastic Cold Porcelain Paste Recipe

· 1/4 cup of water

· 1/4 cup of cornstarch

· 1/4 cup of Bicarb soda

Mix all ingredients together and cook (stirring) until it forms a ball. This is used the same as above. Great for flowers and tiny things!!!! and so soft to work with!

Air Dry Clay Recipe:

1 Cup Ponal (or other brand),

Wood Glue (WHITE),

1 Cup Cornstarch,

60ml (12 Teaspoons) Baby Oil

Mix glue, oil and half the cornstarch. Heat in microwave 30 seconds until hot (do not boil). Mix in remainder of cornstarch and heat a further 20-30 seconds. Mix well. Kneed until smooth and store in a plastic bag in the fridge, Colour with powdered food coloring. Roll out thin to make flowers or to mold. Air dry. Do not bake. If it is too sticky add a little more cornstarch.