This week I started my clay creations! Let me say it was both easier and harder than I thought. I was able to get things pretty decent looking by the end of my craft session. For my learning source I used TikTok, specifically the account Sculpd. There was some really great tips and inspiration on there. I scrolled to the bottom of find the tip videos and they proved to be very helpful for me. This week I decided to make a sand dollar coaster and a little catch all dish with fresh water pearls. I think they turned out ok! I am definitely still needing to improve on smoothing out everything and making it look a little less homemade. I will focus on that next week and see if I can improve on that. I think the usage of tools will be very helpful. I also will work on rolling things out a little flatter too. One things I forgot to do while creating my dishes was score the clay when adding something into it. I should have created marks in the clay for grip when adding on the pearls, but I forgot when creating it. I’m expecting some of the pearls to fall off but hope I can just glue them back on.
I have yet to paint my dishes so far, because they have taken longer to dry than I expected, but I will include that process as well in my next blog. in the past I have not been very great at painting so I hope the process isn’t too bad. I have heard on tiktok that sanding a clay creation before painting it can really help the paint go on smoother, as well as smoothing out little imperfections in the hardened clay. I will update on that process as well next week. As for what I am going to create in the 
future, I would really like to make my mom a candle for Christmas with a homemade dish, so I will likely start to try to make a bowl shaped dish. I am very excited to see how this goes!
Hey Makenna, I really love that you are making clay creations! I see that you had a few options you narrowed it down to. What made you decide clay?
I had also thought about making clay creations, so I am really looking forward to learning from your experience!
Can you use regular paint on the air dry clay or do you have a specific one that you will use intended for clay?
There are definitely a lot of processes that I wouldn’t think to consider such as scoring the clay, but I remember in high school art class we created some clay sculptures. I absolutely love getting a little messy and playing around with creativity! I can’t wait to see the art you create!
Hi Alycia! Thanks so much for your comment! I’m very excited about the whole process too. I decided to pick clay because it’s something I’ve seen on TikTok that seemed fun. I also want to make my own Christmas presents this year and thought this would be a great way to do so. As for paints, so far I’ve heard that I can use acrylic paints so that is what I’m going to try!
Hi Makenna, I’m so excited to hear more about you learning process! This skill was in my top two for the learning process so I’m glad someone chose it and I can continue reading about how it goes for you!
One thing that made me not choose it was the expenses. I didn’t really look into how much everything would cost, but when I do something, I tend to be a perfectionist and want every tool that you can buy so I can be good at it (lol). Have you found it to be an expensive hobby?
Hey Makenna!
Your blog and clay creations are both looking great so far!
I like your idea of the sand dollar 🙂 excited to see your candle and bowl creations!