Advice Letter

Dear Ella,

Help! Every single time I make a painted charm, I run into the same problem. The paint won’t stick to the clay! I am getting extremely annoyed, and I just can’t seem to find anyone who knows what to do.

 I am optimistic that you will be able to help, seeing that your blog has been extremely helpful so far. Thank you for making this blog, I have never seen a blog like it before, and I am finding it to be very interesting.

Anyway, I just wanted your opinion on what I should do, and I would really appreciate it if you took the time to reply to this letter.

Sincerely,

Pop-off Painter

Dear Pop-off Painter,

I am so sorry to hear that your crafts are fighting you! I know from personal experience how frustrating it is when something like this happens. Fortunately, I think I know what your problem may be, and what you can do to fix it.

From your description of what is happening, I think there might be one of three things happening.

The most common mistake that artists make when working with clay is when they paint their creations. The only time the paint will stick to the clay is after it has been baked. If you try to paint the piece before it has been baked, the paint won’t adhere properly to the clay.

Another thing that could be causing you problems is the thickness of your paint. Some paints are thinner than others, and so won’t stick to surfaces like clay. In contrast, some paints will be too thick for such detailed things as clay miniatures, and cause other problems. You can buy both paint thinners and thickeners, if you think your paint is the problem.

Something you can do to increase the durability of your creations and help the paint stay on is to glaze your pieces.

There are many glazes on the market today, but my favorite is Triple Thick. Glazing is something I strongly encourage, even if you are not having problems with your paint staying on, because it also makes your pieces water-proof. This comes in handy if you like to wear your creations, or attach them to your bag or phone.

I hope this helps you, and if you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Happy crafting!

Ella Tiny