•       * Cold porcelain can shrink when drying so you have to be careful not to use it for anything thick or it will crack.

•       * If it is sticky you can either dust it with cornstarch, or you can place it in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time to remove some of the moisture.

•       * Never refrigerate raw (un-molded) or finished cold porcelain, keep it well sealed at room temperature.. 

•       * You can paint a finished piece with watercolor or acrylic paint. You can also dust them.

•       * Never dust the inside of the mold.

1 cup pva glue (white glue like Elmer’s Glue All)
1 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon mineral oil (babyoil)
1 tablespoon lemon juice, witchhazel, or clove oil (these are natural preservative that help prevent mold, optional but recommended)

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients in pot. Don’t use your good cookware for this because it can be hard to clean off.
2. Cook on low heat stirring constantly for 10 minutes or until dough forms and begins to come away from the sides.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool until you can handle it.
4. Knead to a smooth clay consistency.
5. Store wrapped in plastic and refrigerated.
6. Color is translucent cream but can be tinted with acrylic or oil paint. White paint gives a true porcelain look. If you are using this clay with children make sure the paints are also non-toxic, some paint pigments contain toxic chemicals so check the label.

Model as you would any other clay, metal and smooth plastic work best for me as does keeping my fingers lubricated with a little mineral oil. The clay has a tendency to stick to wooden tools.

Keep any clay you are not using either wrapped in plastic or covered by a damp cloth to keep it from drying out while waiting to be used. If the clay it too sticky dust with a little more cornstarch and if it is a bit crumbly add a few more drops of mineral oil.

NON TOXIC RECIPE AND ALSO GREAT FOR KIDS!

BRATs of Etsy - Featured Seller - Artist! - Handsoncrafts

1-Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, and personal stuff).

My name is Mabel. I’m 29 years old. I live in Chesapeake, Va. I’ve lived here for 5 years.I was born at Andalucia, Spain. I’m a Navy wife and mother of 4 wonderful children.

2-What is the first thing you can remember making by hand?

How and why did you make it?Oh it was a Sarah Kay frame made of a few posters and some glue; I made the posters shine with many covers of glue that made it look shiny and hard. Then I put cotton on the back and glued on a frame!! I remember it was beautiful!!!

3-What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?

Love inspires me, the love of my children, my husband and even my puppies, Nature inspires me too and also God. Sometimes an idea just comes to me and I run to get a paper and a pencil and draw it before is gone, and then I make themcome true!

4-What are your favorite materials?

Oh, Cold Porcelain, I have been working with Cold Porcelain since I was 13 or 14 just watching THE MASTER, My MOM!
5-What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists on Etsy?

Do not underestimate, if anything overestimate it makes you look good and keeps the customer happy.

6-Why should people buy handmade?

For me handmade means made with love and care. It is something that one person puts hours of work, total attention andLove.

7-What features/services would you most like to see on Etsy?
I would like to see them advertise more.
8-Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I am a stay at home mom with 4 kids. I have 1 boy 13 years old, my big helper. Also I have a 1 yr. old little girl that keeps me really busy. and 3 year old girl, who loves to eat all the time and go outside. ha! Ha! hA! And my sweet 9 year old girl she is my strength.

9-Read any good books lately?

Oh yeah “the 5 languages of love” I think everyone needs to read this book, it is awesome.

10-In ten years I’d like to be…
Hmmm having my own boutique gift shop!!!

11-How did you pick your business name and your etsy avatar?

Well Hands on Arts and Crafts, which is my business name. My mom’s store is “Art In Your hands” So that’s the reason for “Hands” then I do Arts and Crafts so they came together very well. Don’t you think? And my Etsy Avatar I just picked one of my pictures and I made it my self. Here is my mom’s web address; I want to share her site http://www.artinyourhands.com/ .