Air Dry Clay – Comparing 3 Brands

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I’m comparing 3 brands of air-dry clay today! Which one did I like best?? I’ll tell ya!

Hello friends!

Remember that time when I made air-dry clay? If not, you can read (and see) all about it right here: DIY Air Dry Clay (recipes and tips!)
And maybe you remember I mentioned that I would compare store-bought brands next. Then didn’t, haha!

Well, I did finally.

Sorry it took me so long, but here we are. I’ve got it all done for ya! And my thoughts on all 3 (plus the DIY version).

I also took a bunch of videos, so stay tuned for that. I didn’t have time to edit and put that together, but once I do, I’ll edit this post with it (and share it on my socials, too). And I’ll let y’all know in the newsletter so you can see it “in action.”

Air Dry Clay – Comparing 3 Brands

Here are the 3 I chose to compare:

Three packages of modeling clay—Craftsmart, DAS, and Sculpey—are displayed on a table with various craft supplies partially visible in the background, providing the perfect setup to compare brands for your next air dry clay project.

Michael’s craft smart, DAS, and Sculpey.

First off, they were all somewhat different. Wow, not only that, but all three were different colors as well.
Also, the one most like my DIY homemade version was the Sculpey.
I’m surprised because I guess I was thinking they’d all be pretty much the same. Nope!

You can see the color differences here. (They are not dry yet) Cream colored, gray, and white.

Three white ceramic dishes contain clay in different shapes, each labeled with a pink sticky note: Craftsmart, DAS, and Sculpey. Small clay pieces are nearby on a marble surface, providing a clear visual for this Air Dry Clay Review and Clay Brands Comparison.

MATERIALS SOURCE LIST

 

SCULPEY

Hands hold a 2.2 lb package of Sculpey Air Dry Clay on a marble table, surrounded by clay tools, a white bowl, and a blue hexagonal dish. The package label is shown in English, French, and Spanish—a great choice if you’re looking to compare brands or write your next clay review.

First up, Sculpey.

Sculpey air-dry clay is very white and pliable. I’d say it is the closest to my DIY air-dry clay recipe.

I rolled out enough to make a small trinket dish and used the blue dish to cut out the shape.

Hexagonal white and blue ceramic dishes on a marble surface, surrounded by sculpting tools, a paintbrush, and a white ceramic bowl—an inviting setup for those interested in air dry clay projects or seeking inspiration for their next clay brands comparison.

By the way, I love this silicone mat (linked above)! It’s so great for crafting and keeping your work surface clean and safe.

Then I laid a piece of plastic wrap in the dish for easy removal…

Hands cover a small blue hexagonal dish, crafted from air dry clay, with plastic wrap on a marble surface. Nearby are a white bowl, sculpting tools, and a blue fabric item—perfect for anyone interested in clay brands or seeking tips for brand comparison.

…and shaped the clay to the dish.

Two hands smooth plastic wrap over a small square dish of air dry clay on a marble countertop, with a white bowl, blue pen, and wooden utensils nearby.

Two hands hold a hexagonal blue dish lined with plastic wrap, containing white air dry clay. A white bowl and pottery tools are on a white marble surface in the background, perfect for comparing brands or experimenting with different clay brands.

Michaels’ craft smart

A 2.2 lb (1 kg) package of Craft Smart air-dry porcelain clay sits on a surface with the label visible, showing white daisies and product information in English and French—an ideal choice for anyone exploring top Clay Brands in an Air Dry Clay comparison.

This one was my least favorite. It wasn’t as pliable or as user-friendly.

I rolled it out…

A hand wearing a silver watch holding a piece of white air dry clay on a marble surface, with blue and white dishes nearby—perfect for those interested in air dry clay or conducting a clay comparison between popular clay brands.

…and repeated the same thing using the small dish to cut and shape.

A hand presses a white bowl upside down onto white clay on a marble surface, with a blue dish, a clear tube, and another white bowl nearby—perfect for anyone interested in comparing Air Dry Clay brands.

Two hands press white clay, such as a popular Air Dry Clay, into a small round dish on a marble surface, surrounded by sculpting tools and various empty dishes—an inviting scene for anyone interested in clay brands or eager for a brand comparison.

DAS

Hands hold a red and white package of DAS Air Dry Clay, showing images of a hand shaping clay and finished clay objects on the package. The surface underneath is a light, veined countertop—a great scene for anyone interested in clay brands comparison or searching for the best air dry clay.

I liked DAS a lot. It is probably my favorite of the bunch.

I did the same steps above but with this dish.

A person smooths air dry clay in a small white dish with a tool. Sculpting tools and a ceramic bowl are nearby on a marble surface.

Here they are all done and dry.

Three small, unfinished air dry clay dishes—one square, one hexagonal, and one round—sit on a light marbled surface. The round dish appears more textured than the others, showcasing the unique qualities often found in different air dry clay brands. A watermark ACR is in the bottom right corner.

The different colors are still apparent after drying.

I made a few more dishs/trinkets, etc., with both of the DAS and Sculpey clays. I didn’t even realize until later that I didn’t go to the Michael’s brand. I just really didn’t enjoy working with it.

Hands shaping white air dry clay on a scalloped-edge surface, with sculpting tools and plastic wrap nearby, on a light marble countertop—perfect for anyone interested in comparing brands or reading a detailed clay review.

You might’ve noticed the clay earrings in some of the photos; I’ll share those in another post soon.

A hand holds a scalloped white clay dish made from air dry clay on plastic wrap. Clay tools and white clay pieces from different clay brands are on the marble surface, perfect for comparing brands and experimenting with textures.

A hand holds a white plate with a round clay dish on it. Nearby are clay jewelry pieces, tools, and labeled pink sticky notes reading Bakehome, Daz, and Sculpy—showcasing an air dry clay comparison between popular air dry clay brands on a marble work surface.

SAND

Once everything was dry, I lightly sanded all the edges.
As I’ve worked with this a little more, I have decided it’s much easier to make sure your edges are nice and smooth beforehand, if you can. I tried to smooth them a little, but it certainly wasn’t enough. I’ll be more mindful of that next time.

A hand holds sandpaper and a small ceramic dish, possibly made from Air Dry Clay. Art supplies, a paintbrush, and pink sticky notes are visible on a white marble table—perfect for making a comparison between clay brands while working on creative projects.

Then I painted all of them with a white base coat.

A hand holds a brush, painting a round object white—possibly made with one of the top air dry clay brands. Several white plates and painting supplies are on a marble surface in the background, perfect for anyone interested in air dry clay brands comparison.

DECOUPAGE

Next, I pulled out the fall napkins I purchased for this project. (linked above in the “Materials” box)

Four square coasters with autumn-themed designs, each holding a round white dish, are on a marble surface. Nearby, craft tools, a roller, and pink sticky notes suggest an ongoing project—perfect for experimenting with different Air Dry Clay brands in your next creative session.

And got busy cutting and decoupaging all these pretties for fall using my Decoupage & Transfer Gel.

A hand holds a jar of Fusion decoupage gel near autumn-themed paper with pumpkins and leaves, surrounded by crafting tools, a brush, and a plate—perfect for an Air Dry Clay review or experimenting with different clay brands comparison in your seasonal crafts.

A hand holds a small decorative plate with painted pumpkins and sunflowers, showcasing a creative air dry clay project. Art supplies, a watch, scissors, and a palette are arranged on the white surface—perfect for anyone interested in experimenting with different clay brands or looking for an inspiring comparison of materials.

A hand holds a square piece of paper with an autumn-themed design featuring pumpkins, sunflowers, and a white rose; scissors, air dry clay, and other crafting supplies are on the table in the background—perfect for comparing brands or experimenting with different clay brands for your next seasonal project.

A hand holds a round object with a pumpkin image, sculpted using Air Dry Clay, surrounded by scissors, a glue container, and autumn-themed paper pieces on a white marble surface—a perfect scene for clay brands comparison and creative fall crafting.

A hand holds a napkin with hello FALL and autumn leaves, surrounded by other fall-themed napkins, white bowls, and crafting supplies on a marble surface—an inviting scene perfect for comparing clay brands or incorporating air dry clay into your seasonal crafts.

A hand holds a small dish with a fall leaf design, crafted from the best air dry clay. Autumn-themed napkins, one reading hello FALL, and craft supplies are scattered on a white surface.

Once they were dry, I sanded the edges to remove excess napkin.

A hand sanding a pumpkin-decorated tile made with air dry clay on a table with autumn-themed napkins, scissors, and small plates, featuring fall leaves and pumpkins—perfect for those comparing brands of air dry clay for their seasonal crafts.

A hand holds a small tray decorated with pumpkins and pinecones. Autumn-themed napkins, scissors, and craft supplies—including air dry clay from various brands—are on a white table, reflecting a fall crafting project.

Looking at these pictures, I sort of like them simple, without the gold/copper painted edges.

Assorted ceramic dishes with autumn-themed designs, such as pumpkins, leaves, and hello FALL text, are arranged on a white surface with some paper scraps and a partial logo in the bottom right corner. Perfect for those comparing brands or exploring different clay brands, these charming pieces showcase the versatility of air dry clay for seasonal crafting projects.

But I did indeed paint all the edges.

A hand holds a bottle of metallic copper acrylic paint over decorative fall-themed plates, with a box of metallic acrylic paints and painting supplies nearby—perfect for creative projects like comparing air dry clay brands or experimenting with various air dry clay techniques.

A hand paints glue on a dish decorated with autumn-themed napkins featuring pumpkins, leaves, and Hello Fall text, surrounded by other similarly decorated plates on a white surface—perfect for showcasing your latest Air Dry Clay creations or even making a comparison of different clay brands in seasonal craft projects.

Maybe I should’ve left some undone. Next time!! lol

A hand holds a pumpkin-shaped paper with Hello Fall and autumn leaves, surrounded by fall-themed plates and crafting supplies on a table—perfect inspiration for your next Air Dry Clay project or even a creative Clay Brands Comparison.

GLAZE

This stuff is SO shiny. Love it.

A hand holds a container of DecoArt Americana Triple Thick Brilliant Brush-On Gloss Glaze, 8 fl oz, with craft materials, air dry clay creations, and a paintbrush in the blurred background—perfect for comparing brands and achieving a flawless glossy finish.

A hand uses a brush to paint glue over a small dish with a leaf design, showcasing the versatility of air dry clay. Other autumn-themed dishes with pumpkins and leaves, perfect for an air dry clay review, are arranged on a light surface.

All done and shiny! Hard to see that in the photos, though.

A set of autumn-themed plates crafted from the best air dry clay, featuring pumpkins, leaves, and hello FALL designs arranged on a light wooden surface.

A set of decorative plates with autumn and pumpkin designs in orange and brown tones, crafted using air dry clay, are arranged on a light-colored table.

A small hexagonal dish with a pumpkin design, handcrafted from air dry clay, sits on a light surface; another dish is blurred in the background. The bottom right corner shows a circular watermark with the letters acn, highlighting this piece for those interested in Clay Reviews or comparing brands.

A small round dish sculpted from air dry clay with a painted autumn leaf sits on a wooden surface, surrounded by white ceramic pumpkins and vases, providing the perfect piece for any Air Dry Clay Review or Clay Brands Comparison.

Three white decorative pumpkins and a white textured vase are arranged on a surface. In front, a small round dish with a painted orange pumpkin design is displayed. Perfect for an Air Dry Clay review or clay brands comparison, the pieces showcase subtle craftsmanship against a soft, neutral background.

White and gold pumpkins, a small dish crafted from air dry clay with a painted orange leaf, and a white textured vase with pampas grass arranged together on a light surface for autumn decor.

White and bronze pumpkins, a small decorative plate with painted pumpkins crafted using Air Dry Clay, and a white vase with pampas grass create a cozy autumn display on a white surface.

White and bronze pumpkins, a small floral plate, and a white vase with pampas grass are arranged on a light surface. Some of the decorative pumpkins appear to be crafted from air dry clay, adding an artisanal touch to the neutral and autumn colors. The image is styled in soft tones, with an acv watermark in the lower right corner.

White ceramic pumpkins and a small orange-patterned plate are arranged with a white vase holding pampas grass on a light-colored surface, creating an autumn-themed decor scene that beautifully showcases the versatility of air dry clay. Perfect for those interested in exploring new clay brands, this display inspires creativity and invites a thoughtful Air Dry Clay Review for your next seasonal project.

White ceramic pumpkins, a decorative tray with autumn pumpkins and pinecones, and a textured white vase with pampas grass on a light-colored surface create a cozy fall display reminiscent of handcrafted pieces made from various clay brands. For those seeking to personalize their autumn décor, consider using Air Dry Clay for DIY accents that complement this welcoming arrangement.

A fall-themed display with two white pumpkins, one bronze pumpkin, a pumpkin-decorated plate, and pampas grass in a white vase—all arranged on a light-colored surface—showcases the versatility of air dry clay for seasonal crafts.

Three pumpkins, two white and one brown, crafted from Air Dry Clay, sit beside a small decorative plate with hello FALL text and autumn leaves. A white vase with dried grasses is in the background on a light wooden surface, illustrating a creative comparison of clay brands in stylish autumn decor.

So with all of that, air-dry clay is fun and easy. However, I am thinking I really need to give oven-baked clay a go. I want a clay that is a bit more solid/hard. These are hard, but not ceramic-hard, if you know what I mean.

I’ll be trying this one soon…

A package of Sculpey Original polymer clay with a decoration of a colorful llama on top, placed on a white marble surface—perfect for anyone interested in exploring different Air Dry Clay Brands or looking to do a creative clay comparison.

…hmm, now that I think about it, I might research two more so I can just start with a comparison to see what I think.
Yes, that’s what I’ll do.

Stay tuned for that!

I got another set of napkins, Christmas/Holiday style, so I’ll use those for that set. These would make great gifts!

PIN it to save it!

Three packages of air dry clay (Craftsmart, DAS, Sculpey) are shown above three dried clay dishes labeled with pink sticky notes. Text in the center reads, Air Dry Clay Review: Comparing 3 Popular Clay Brands.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!!

xoxo

The word Nancy is written in elegant, flowing black script, reminiscent of Chalk Style Paint For Furniture, with a heart shape used to form the dot above the letter i. The background is plain white.

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One Comment

  1. hi Nancy, hope all is well. I was just curious out of the Two methods, which do you prefer to work with and has better longevity, Clay that you bake or clay air dry?
    They all came out so beautiful!
    All the best,
    Dawn

    Reply

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