Homemade Pottery

Get a little creative with this simple homemade modelling dough.

Get creative with simple modelling dough

Signs of spring

Use leaves with strong shapes and veins (for instance try puka, ladder fern and rhododendron leaves) to press into the clay. Roll a ball of dough between the backs of two large leaves (right). Drape the dough gently over a shallow dish to support it in a curved shape as it dries. Or press a thick layer of dough around glass jars to create a waterproof vase (below). Firmly press leaves into the sides.

As the weather warms and the days grow longer and lighter it’s a good time to be nurturing our creative spirit. There is something so very satisfying about the feeling of soft dough between our fingers – and the simple pleasure of rolling and shaping modelling dough can both help you to be in the moment and to encourage new ideas to unfurl. Whip up a batch of this two-ingredient clay and get started today. Modelling tips Baking soda clay is softer and can be less elastic than other clays, so rolling it out onto greaseproof paper will make it easier to handle.

Roll the dough out evenly and use cardboard templates to cut it into the shapes you want.

Lay shapes flat on greaseproof paperlined baking trays, or drape them over small bowls to support them as they dry.

When creating cones, cover a paper cone with greaseproof paper and put this inside the dough cone to support it as it dries.

Slowly air-drying your creations will make them less likely to crack, so find a cool, safe place for them to dry and allow at least 3-4 days, depending on the thickness of the pieces. You can carefully flip pieces over occasionally to help them dry flat.

Once pieces are fully dry you can glue them together using PVA glue or a hot glue gun.

You can keep baking soda clay in an airtight container or wrap it in a damp towel to prevent it from drying out before you use it. However it is best to make the dough in small batches and use it while it is still fresh.

Soda dough creations can be painted or coated in a clear varnish to help protect them. Or simply leave them white.