Q&A for How to Make Cold Porcelain

Depending on thickness, it can be very hard. A quarter inch piece would be hard to break.

Always wait until the pot is a little cool. Then, fill with hot water and let it soak till the water is cooled. Pour the water out and wash it like usual.

It could be, but remember that cold porcelain is going to dry hard and unable to bend, so you will have to be very careful with your pin.

First, shape clay into water droplets (number of petals will depend what flower you want). Next, make a big/small circle again depending how big you want your flower to be. If you don't feel comfortable attaching your pieces while they are still wet, you can stick them together with glue after they dry and put on sealant for protection.

Try lining your mold with soft soap. To make soft soap, melt your leftover bits of soap in a tin or something with a tiny amount of water. When it is cool, you should have a jelly-like substance which you can wipe thinly on the inside of your mold. It washes off easily.

They mean Elmer's glue, but PVA will work too, they're basically the same thing.

You don't have to use it, but it inhibits mold growth on the clay both while it's wet and as it cures before being sealed.

You must use cornstarch or corn flour. No other type of starch or flour will do.

Yes, but it's better to use oil-based paint since food coloring contains more water. The water can cause the clay to shrink and crack when it is drying.

No, the recipe won’t work if you use anything else, including other flours & starches.

You must use cornstarch or corn flour. No other type of starch or flour will do.

I don't think that's the best idea due to how much the porcelain shrinks while drying. The idea behind hand print ornaments is to preserve the size and shape of the print at the time, and cold porcelain will not dry with an accurate reproduction.

Cold porcelain is not suitable for a garden. Exposure to moisture will damage it.

Sometimes the porcelain gets a yellow/brownish tint over time, so I'd still recommend painting it white if that's the color you desire.

Regardless of proportions, the result will harden. If your resulting clay feels soft, try adding more cornstarch, but be conservative; too much can make the clay too hard to mold.

No, use white glue or PVA only. The rubber cement will not work the same.

As long as you use non-toxic glue (such as Elmer’s school glue), the fumes should not be toxic. To be on the safe side, wait at least 15 minutes after cooking your cold porcelain to cook food in your microwave.

The overall answer is yes, but it depends more on the material in question and the adhesive you are using. Leaves and smaller pieces of wood will quickly adhere with PVA glue; rocks, on the other hand, will need stronger types. Also, while it's still wet, the clay can adapt to several things. However, depending on the surface, bonding with glue is needed to make it permanent.

Yes, you can.

No, you should not use food on it. It should only be for decoration.

Painting the clay when it's still moist causes the paint to soak into it, so the color will be duller than if you were to paint it when it's completely dry. However, the paint will rub off very easily if it's applied once the clay is dry, so you will have to use a varnish.

Yes. Some statues and porcelain figurines are carved and molded from cold porcelain, so it is suitable for making utensils and other porcelain items.

No, cornmeal is too gritty. Cornstarch is very fine and makes a smooth dough.

If wrapped well enough, you can keep it for about 2 weeks. It's a bit harder to work with and often requires a bit more oil, but it can be done.

You must use cornstarch or corn flour. No other type of starch or flour will do.

Yes, but keep in mind that cold porcelain is not entirely food safe, so be sure to clean your rolling pin and cookie cutters thoroughly when you finish.

I do not recommend oil paints. I tried it with oil paints both by mixing it in as well as painting it on & did not like any of it. It stains work surfaces/hands, smelled very unpleasant & took 3-4 times longer to dry when painted on & even longer to dry when mixed in & the dried results didn't look nice. I tried using watercolor paints from the tubes, it was OK to paint on after but cracked as it dried when mixed in. Acrylic paints are the best way to color I found. Both acrylic paints from tubes & bottled paints & both ways, mixed in & painted on after. No troubles, easy cleanup, & regular, if not faster drying time & best looking end results too.

No, it cannot. Unfortunately, cold porcelain (despite the name) is not suitable for crockery. It will melt and soften once it's exposed to heat and water (especially hot water).

Yes, but it's not the best choice. First, I would suggest testing the technique on a small piece and letting it dry completely to see how much it shrinks. However, Fimo clay would be a better choice.

I found that cold porcelain made with cooking oil (I've tried both canola and olive oil) went moldy much faster (3-4 months before baby oil did) and the final texture wasn't as smooth as the cold porcelain I made with baby oil. My tried & true recipe I use every time is basic: 1 cup cornstarch, 1 cup Elmer's white (PVA) glue, 2 tbs baby oil, 2 tbs white vinegar. Mix the ingredients in a saucepan. Stir over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat once it starts pulling away from the side of the pan. It should look similar to ricotta cheese when finished. Knead until the mixture cools.store in an airtight container.let clay rest 24 hours before use.