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Nothing is more frustrating to me than to see a really neat craft project and then learn that everything you need to make the project, you have to purchase at a craft store. So the neato craft item ends up costing you a bundle. The crafts I'll be bringing to you on this site will be crafts that you can make from things you will probably have around the house. Those are the kind of crafts I like best.
Salt Dough (basic recipe) (drying) (painting) (sealing) (pictures) Salt dough might sound like a silly project, or something that the kids would play with but mom wouldn't waste time on. But salt dough is a great medium for creating all sorts of sturdy, and sometimes elegant crafts. Depending on what you make, they can be great for gifts as well (grandma's LOVE Christmas ornaments made by the kids). Here is another great "grandma" gift idea, trace the outline of your kid's hands on paper and use the cut out as a pattern to make little hands out of salt dough. This makes a nice wall hanging. Since salt dough is so inexpensive, I usually make up two batches, one for me to work with and one for the kids (that keeps them out of my hair while I'm busy...and they LOVE IT). Click here to see a few pictures of some salt dough creations.
One thing to keep in mind when planning a project, in order for your salt dough creation to keep over time, it has to dry completely through. So, large chunks of salt dough are not a good idea. Try keeping the thickness under ½ inch. You can use all sorts of things to create salt dough items. If you roll the dough out (½ inch thickness) you can use any shape cookie cutter to cut the dough and then follow the drying instructions below. A really neat idea is to make a "plate of cookies" to set in a nice dish. This looks really cute on a coffee table. I have also seen baskets of strawberries, cherry pies, bowls of fruit, all made from salt dough. You can use candy molds to make a large number of smaller shapes to use on your project (like roses). Another thing I've used is my kid's play-doe molds or that press that squeezes the dough through a variable shaped opening. That works great with salt dough.
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Drying Salt Dough Salt dough creations must be completely dried or your creation will not keep over time. You can either leave it set out and air dry or dry it in the oven on warm. Oven drying is faster but sometimes causes the creation to bubble up if the heat is too high. Try setting the oven to warm and then turning it off before you place the item in the oven. Depending on the size and thickness of the item, oven drying may take 6 to 8 hours. Air drying is slower but the end result is better. (note: this method will not work well if you are in a humid climate). To air dry an item, allow it to set out for 1 to 2 days. By far the best method I've found for drying salt dough is to use a food dehydrator. (Nesco American Harvest FD-50 Snackmaster...) Items dried in this manner can be placed in a food dehydrator overnight and are completely dry by morning with no warping or bubbling.
Painting Salt Dough
If you paint your creation after it is sealed you need to use a higher quality paint (tempra or oil based paint). Go to joann.com
Sealing Salt Dough When applying the seal coat, make certain you get the sealer into all the little nooks and crannies.
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