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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Make Your Own Robin Eggs With Baking Soda Clay


I have been trying to find the "right" size eggs for the nests I am making but they were nowhere to be found. Then I found an awesome idea on a blog called Dreaming in Color. Go to this blog by clicking
Deneen made some eggs out of clay she bought from Michael's. She shows on her blog how she made the eggs from clay, and how she painted them,  so I will let you go there to see what she did. 

I am impatient and did not feel like going to the store to buy clay so I made my own. I found an awesome recipe years ago somewhere on the world wide web for baking soda clay. I have had a lot of fun making stuff with this. Let me show you how to make it....

THE RECIPE:

1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup corn starch
3/4 cup water

Cook mixture on low heat, stirring occasionally until it resembles mashed potatoes.

The first time I tried this recipe - it flopped. I got impatient at how long it seemed to take to cook, turned up the heat, and the mashed potato consistency quickly disappeared into a big hunk of powdery mess. I did become a professional at making this dough - BUT then I didn't make it for a while and I forgot about the KEY part at the end - this recipe cannot be overcooked. The mashed potato consistency is more like an instant mashed potato consistency - not like how I make my mashed potatoes. I will walk you through it so you can have success the first time.


Add dry ingredients to a pot.


Add the water. Once mixed in it looks like milk. *Just a note* I cut the recipe in half for the eggs I made. I was able to make more than enough eggs (24 little ones and two BIG ones plus a bit of dough to test if it is good to shape things with the next day). I couldn't think of anything else I wanted to make so yeah, I cut the recipe in half.
Okay - back to the clay making....


The mixture is supposed to be cooked on low, but I kicked it up to medium low because it is a little painful sitting at the stove for a long time. It took about ten minutes for the mixture to start bubbling - once it starts bubbling it doesn't take long to get to this stage...


Once it starts coming together take it off the heat. There is a fine line with this dough when it comes to being over cooked - but if cooked right - this clay is awesome! 


After the dough has cooled off a bit - take it out of the pot. The dough will be a bit wet feeling, but silky feeling too. Resist the urge to cook it more because it is a little wet.


Shape the dough into eggs - or whatever - and let air dry. I tried saving some left over dough in a sandwich bag - but it become too powdery - so use it right away. 

I painted my eggs after 24 hours. Drying time depends on how big the craft is so play it by ear.
So there you have it - make your own Robin eggs! 

Thanks for stopping by!

44 comments:

  1. Well I didn't know you could make clay that way! So cool!

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  2. Great tutorial and I appreciate the pix!

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  3. Looks like a great recipe and I like the fact that they air dry- no messing with ovens.

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  4. So great! I've been wanting to try a better home-made clay dough! Thank you!!!

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  5. Wow, this is great stuff! I just whipped up a batch...you are right about there being a fine line about it being overdone! I caught it just in the nick of time. Thanks for the tutorial!

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  6. Very cute idea! It is hard to find eggs just the right size. Thanks for the details.

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  7. That's a great idea. Love it when I don't have to go out to the store to buy something.

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  8. Those ARE perfect- you are right it is super hard to find the right size. Great tutorial! Thanks! We would ♥ to see this in our current linky party! Feel free to stop by :) lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com

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  9. Oh that is really cool. My youngest son loves that stuff. Thanks for sharing in my newbie party.

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  10. Great tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing. I think I'll try this.

    Visiting from Debbiedoo's party and am now following. I hope you'll come visit me too.

    Have a great day.
    Pam

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  11. Great Tut, I have never seen this recipe before. I will have to think up something to make now. I am also your newest follower. Thanks for sharing:)

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  12. WOW! You are GOOD! What a great project! I'm visiting from Debbies'! ♥

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  13. Great idea. I don't think it would have occurred to me to make my own clay, but it doesn't look too difficult and definitely is inexpensive. Love your sweet little eggs.

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  14. Who would have thought to do it this way. Good idea. Debbiedoos is a great way to spread the love.....I'm following.
    Laurie

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  15. Thanks for all your comments everyone!
    Ellen - you are a real go-getter making this clay already.
    Happy crafting!

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  16. This is a great tip and tutorial! I haven't heard of baking soda clay, but I would love to try making some things with it. Your eggs turned out super well...they look amazing!

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  17. What a great idea. I'm going to have to give it a try so the kids can paint away! Visiting from Debbie's and am following!
    Marianne :)

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  18. Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures to go along with your good instructions. I found you over at Debbie's Newbie Party.

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  19. This looks like such a fantastic idea - my list of 'to try' is ever growing but I'll pop this on! :-)

    Jem xXx

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  20. I can't wait to give this a try. Thanks for sharing, Vicky

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  21. Fabulous idea! I'm following you now, I have to see what your next idea is!!
    xxDaniella

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  22. Hi again, nice to 'meet' you, Sue. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm your newest follower.

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  23. Never heard of this!! Its great! Thanks for the tut!!

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  24. hiya sue , what a great tutorial , hope to try this out soon , its just fab , so many ways to use it , tfs
    xmaggiex

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  25. Thanks for this. I am definetly going to try this out so I can use them as part of an Easter gift for my mother-in-law. I'm so excited!I'm a new follower looking forward to more of your posts. Visit me at Brambly when you get a chance, I would love to hear from you. Take care.

    Ann-Marie

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  26. Those look very realistic. Going to have to give it a try!

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  27. I found a little abandoned nest outside and these would be perfect for it. Thanks for sharing!

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  28. This is the coolest thing! I have been looking for the perfect little eggs and can't find any but know I know how to make some thanks for sharing.

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  29. So cute. I'm all for clay recipes that use things I typically have on hand. I think I know an easter craft the kids & I will be doing. :)

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  30. OK, that is SO neat! I would never have thought you could make clay. Awesome!

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  31. This is great! I think I'll give this a shot with my kids, I know they'd have so much fun making their own little eggs! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for following! I'll be following you back!

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  32. I really, really would like to try this. I hope my to-do list isn't too long. You did a great job with your explanation. Of course, Sue, your eggs are adorable as well!

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  33. Baking soda dough is completely new to me! I'm excited to try it! The eggs look adorable too! Thanks for sharing with us.

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  34. Great Job and thanks for mentioning me!!! I love to inspire!
    dreaming-n-color.blogspot.com

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  35. Hiya! I tried the dough out this weekend and it's awesome! I posted the results http://sweetlittlesmoothie.blogspot.com/2011/04/does-easter-bunny-like-his-carrots.html (I made carrots) with a shout out back to your tutorial. Thanks so much for the tutorial & the inspiration :)

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  36. What a fantastic clay recipe. I've never seen anything like this. Can't wait to try it out!

    Gwenny Penny

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  37. I love your adorable eggs. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe. I can't wait to try it out!

    I have a weekly linky party called Terrific Under Ten Tuesdays. It's for projects made for $10 or less. I would love for you to link up sometime!

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  38. Just what I've been looking for! Can you believe I actually HAVE some air dry clay I bought my son for a school project! I wanted lines on my carrots for a very natural look. I simply used a toothpick and "rolled" each carrot around with it-came out great!

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  39. What a great tutorial, I have been using all types of clay for years, some I make some I buy, I have never heard of making clay like this. You are one creative gal!!!! Your eggs are beautiful. I truely enjoy browsing around your blog.
    Heather

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  40. Thank you. found you on pinterest posted several times.

    I made my own eggs with the salt dough mix, but I only did tiny, like 1/4"eggs. Never thought of doing bigger, but I think your recipe will work better for big.

    blessings
    barbara jean

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  41. Cool! Just made a batch and they are so cute! Thank you!!

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  42. I pinned this on pinterest with link to you. Is that OK??

    thanks
    blessings
    barbara jean

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  43. Thank you so much, I love it!!! I write a post on my blog, and link your blog ;-)
    http://www.louloupi.org/post/2012/03/13/D%C3%A9coration-pour-P%C3%A2ques-DIY-/-Home-made...

    Louloupi from France ;-)

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