There is a wonderful and safe craft material that can be used for sculpting. It is easy to use, cheap, environmentally friendly and safe, so even toddlers who are just learning to develop their motor skills and coordination of movements can work with it. It's about salted dough. This material is not only highly plastic, but it can be perfectly painted even with water-based paints - gouache and watercolors. How to properly dry salted dough so that it doesn't crack?
Instructions
Step 1
The most economical way to dry your finished salt dough product is in a well-ventilated area or outdoors at room temperature. Naturally, the thicker the details of your craft are, the longer it will take to dry. In this way, it is convenient to dry products in the summer, in the country. The only thing worth remembering is that under its own weight when it comes into contact with the table surface, the product can deform. With this drying method, the color of the crafts does not change and remains white like flour.
Step 2
Salted dough can be dried in a gas or electric oven. Pre-dry it outdoors for a couple of days. Then preheat the oven to 50 degrees. Cover the baking sheet on which the product will be dried with foil or a sheet of baking paper and lightly sprinkle with flour. Transfer the craft to it using a culinary spatula or a wide knife. Place the baking sheet in the oven and dry, gradually increasing the temperature, but not higher than 130-150 degrees.
Step 3
Drying of medium-sized jobs will take 3 hours if the temperature is maintained around 50 degrees and 0.5 hours at 150 degrees. But it's best to take your time and keep the temperature low as the dough can swell and crack. Cracks can be covered by mixing PVA glue with flour and covering them with a brush.
Step 4
Determine the readiness of the product by sound. If it is completely dry from the inside, then knocking on it, you will hear a sonorous sound. A damp product will make a dull sound and must continue to dry.
