Creative Baking
Noticing many craft shops had items such as fridge magnets and decorations made from oven-baked clay, I looked into the possibilities of making these at home. There are many books on the use of Baker's Clay (recipe below) -these can be borrowed from a library - but it is so simple that anyone with a pinch of creativity should have a go. Perfect for both adults and children to make tree decorations or to give as presents this Christmas. By the way, why do we always feel we need to spend a lot of money on presents? I personally never do, because I can't afford to, but remember - time equals money - so by spending hours going round car boot sales and charity shops to hunt out suitable gifts for friends and family who collect things is also fun as well as finding the perfect present. Home cooks can make up small food hampers - always a great favourite. Get children collecting stamps again - an album, hinges and several packets of used stamps will keep them happy for hours. And if children want to give grandma something, then a home-made book of vouchers with tear-out slips offering to clean windows, mow lawns, do the shopping... is as good a gift as you can get.
Baker's Clay
In a bowl, mix together 4 measures of unsifted plain flour (use own brand cheapest)
1 measure of table salt and 1 1/2 measures water
Knead on floured surface for about five minutes until mixture holds its shape, adding a little more water only if necessary. This will keep for some time in a plastic bag and stored in a tin.
To make tree decorations, fridge magnets or other gifts, tear off pieces from the 'clay' and roll out- about the thickness of a pound coin - between two sheets of clingfilm. Use fancy cutters for tree decorations or mould shapes by hand. Make shapes and impressions using forks, spoons, chopsticks, toothpicks etc. Moisten any additions before adding to the clay. If needing to hang shapes, make a hole in the top before baking in a moderate oven for one hour or until hard. When cold paint with poster paint and spray with varnish (or hair lacquer).
The main thing to remember is keep everything the same thickness so that it will bake evenly, and - if needing to make anything other than a flat shape - mould and bake over a cup or crunched up foil or it will collapse.
Tips: Reminded by the mention of hair lacquer, and completely out of season - but I will have forgotten to tell you come next spring - if you spray dandelion clocks with lacquer, and stick a cocktail stick up the stem, you can use them in flower arrangements.
Baker's Clay
In a bowl, mix together 4 measures of unsifted plain flour (use own brand cheapest)
1 measure of table salt and 1 1/2 measures water
Knead on floured surface for about five minutes until mixture holds its shape, adding a little more water only if necessary. This will keep for some time in a plastic bag and stored in a tin.
To make tree decorations, fridge magnets or other gifts, tear off pieces from the 'clay' and roll out- about the thickness of a pound coin - between two sheets of clingfilm. Use fancy cutters for tree decorations or mould shapes by hand. Make shapes and impressions using forks, spoons, chopsticks, toothpicks etc. Moisten any additions before adding to the clay. If needing to hang shapes, make a hole in the top before baking in a moderate oven for one hour or until hard. When cold paint with poster paint and spray with varnish (or hair lacquer).
The main thing to remember is keep everything the same thickness so that it will bake evenly, and - if needing to make anything other than a flat shape - mould and bake over a cup or crunched up foil or it will collapse.
Tips: Reminded by the mention of hair lacquer, and completely out of season - but I will have forgotten to tell you come next spring - if you spray dandelion clocks with lacquer, and stick a cocktail stick up the stem, you can use them in flower arrangements.
posted by Shirley at 6:42 am
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