How to Use Air Dry Clay: Magnets and Dish in 6 Steps

Take about half a package of clay and knead it for a minute to soften it. Place it on a clean flat surface (a non-stick mat or parchment paper underneath keeps it from sticking) and roll it out with a rolling pin.

Aim for about 1/4 inch thickness - a little less for magnets, a little more for a dish. Even thickness matters: spots that are too thin will crack as they dry.

Press cookie cutters through the rolled clay - round shapes work best for fridge magnets, but any shape works. Lift each shape with a palette knife or butter knife so it doesn't deform.

Pat the edges to round them and run a damp fingertip around each shape to smooth the cut edges. Sharp edges crack as they dry; smooth edges hold up.

Roll out the rest of the clay to a slightly thicker 1/4 inch. Drape it over a small upside-down bowl or push it gently into the inside of a bowl to give it a slight dish shape.

Don't try to make it perfectly round or perfectly even. The free-form, slightly imperfect shape is the look. Smooth the rim with a wet finger so it's not sharp when dry.

Move all the pieces to parchment paper or a wire rack. Let them dry overnight - 24 to 48 hours depending on thickness and humidity. Don't try to speed this up with a hairdryer or oven; both cause cracking.

Once fully dry, lightly sand any rough spots with fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge. The sanded surface takes paint better and feels finished in the hand.

Acrylic paint works beautifully on air dry clay. Use thin coats and let each one dry before adding the next. For solid colors, paint the entire piece including the back. For decorative styles like flowers or speckles, paint a base color first then add details on top.

Once the paint is fully dry, brush on a coat of clear acrylic sealer. The sealer protects the paint from chipping and gives a slight sheen that looks professional.

For a more finished look, paint decorative details on top of the base coat - little blue florals on a speckled white base reads as ceramic-like, perfect for the dish. Use a fine round brush for clean shapes.

For the magnets, glue a strong neodymium disc magnet to the back of each shape with a dab of E6000 craft glue. Press for 30 seconds, let cure for an hour, then stick to your fridge.