By: Fran McGee

      Title: Fine Crafty Clay
 Categories: Tightwad, Crafts, Gifts
      Yield: 1 servings

      2 c  Baking soda
      1 c  Cornstarch
  1 1/2 c  Water

MMMMM--------------------------OPTIONAL-------------------------------
           Food coloring
           Oil of cloves or peppermint
           -extract

MMMMM-----------------------FOR FINISHING----------------------------
           Matte acrylic varnish

  :       This mixture creates the finest texture of all the doughs.  It
  also hardens by air drying rather than baking, so features created
  will not puff up in the oven.  ineresting effects can te created by
  coloring this clay before working with it.  See Ideas for more
  details...

  In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the baking soda and
  cornstarch and add the water, stirring constantly.  Mixture will
  become thin and smooth at first.

  Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is too thick to stir.  Turn
  the mixture our onto a cookie sheet ot cool, covering with a damp
  cloth.  When cool, knead until smooth.

  Store the mixture in a tightly closed plastic bag in the refregerator
  for up to 2 weeks.

  To use:
  :       Items can be molded from the clay by either shaping with your
  hands rolling out and cutting with a cookie cutter, or pushing
  through a cookie or garlic press.
  :       Clay will harden at room temperature, depending of the size
  of the object.  Most items are dry after 24 hours, and if neecessary,
  you can preheat the oven to 350 degrees, turn it off, and put eh clay
  in to dy, turning the pieces occasionally.

  Ideas:
  :       Consider tinting the Crafty Clay with different spices from
  your kitchen for and earthy look.  Try using dry mustard for a creamy
  color, or cinnamon and allspice for darker tones.

  Hints:
  :       Smooth off any rough edges after drying with an emery board.
  :       Because this clay is especially absorbent, more than one coat
  of varnish or shallac will be necessary.  Experiment with a trial
  piece to see how many coats you will need.  I've used as many as five
  coats for a thick figure.

  yield: 20 oz