Soften the Clay with Water
If you have some hardened modeling clay lying around, one of the easiest ways to reuse it is by softening it with water. Simply take the clay and submerge it under water, letting it sit for a few minutes. Afterward, use your hands or a clay roller to knead the clay, working out any lumps or bumps. If the clay still feels tough, you can add more water to soften it up further. Just make sure that you don’t add too much water as it may make the clay too mushy or lose its structural integrity.
Use a Clay Softener
If the above method doesn’t work or you don’t have the time to wait for the clay to soften, you can use a clay softener product like Sculpey Clay Softener. This product is specifically designed to soften hardened clay and make it pliable again. Simply apply a few drops of the softener to the clay, knead it with your hands, and you’re good to go. Just like with water, be careful not to add too much softener, as it can make the clay too mushy or break down its structure.
Mix with Fresh Clay
If you have old, hardened clay that’s still in good condition (i.e., it hasn’t dried out or crumbled), you can mix it with fresh clay to make it pliable again. Break off a piece of the old clay and incorporate it into a soft, fresh piece of clay, then knead them together until they’re fully mixed and smooth. This method not only helps you reuse the old clay, but it also adds interesting textures and colors to your creations!
Turn it into Filler or Texture
If you don’t want to bother with softening the clay at all, you can still make use of it by turning it into filler or texture for new creations. Break the hardened clay into small chunks or crumble it into pieces, then mix it in with new clay to add interest and texture. You can also use it to fill in gaps or cavities in a larger sculpture or use it as a background texture for a painting or other mixed media project.
Create Art from Your Mistakes
Finally, don’t forget that every artist makes mistakes – and sometimes those mistakes can result in fascinating pieces of art! If you have a piece of hardened clay that you just can’t salvage, why not turn it into something new altogether? Break it into a unique shape, spray paint it, or glue it onto a canvas to create mixed media art. Or, turn it into a quirky piece of jewelry by adding a pin back or stringing it onto a necklace.
