My son wants to make a vase for his grandma...?

Question

We have some air dry clay which he wetted and molded around a plastic botttle. Now that it's driying, it's cracking. Can we rewet and try again?
I have some plaster of paris. Could we use that to form around a container? This is for Christmas.
Any ideas, help would be welcomed.
Thanks

Answer 1

Is it still on the plastic bottle? Most clay, air dry or kiln fired, will shrink when it dries and if you leave it on the form it will crack when drying. You can try rewetting it and see how it goes. If it doesn't work you can always try again with more clay. I wouldn't use plaster of paris unless you want to do a hand print or something like, but not a vessel. I don't know where you are, but if you have a Hobby Lobby or some other craft store you should be able to find all kinds of alternatives for sculpting clay. I would suggest a polymer clay like sculpy because it is pliable and stays soft until baked in the oven. Anyhow, hope it all works out.
Good Luck

Answer 2

I don't think you can re wet air dried clay. You can google to find out. Maybe collage over a plastic container with pic,s cut from magazine.A vase any grandmother would love.