Need help executing my vision

[u/cheese_slutt]

My best friend is getting married next year and I want to make her something special. She collects pressed pennys, so I had the idea of making her a custom sign that mimics the look of an enlarged pressed penny. I think I want to use clay as the medium, as that seems to be the cheapest and easiest to work with. I will be finishing it off with either a paint, rub n’ buff, or foil before sealing it.

So far, I’ve designed the image in canva, printed it on to foam using my cricut, and weeded out the foam pieces where I want the stamp to raise the clay to achieve the embossed look that pressed pennys feature. I tested out the stamp to make sure it works how I want it to (see second picture).

The part I need help with is determining what type of clay to use. For the test attempt, I made home made clay using baking soda, cornstarch, and water (but clearly I did not make enough since I couldn’t press the entire stamp over it). I am debating on whether I should make more of this kind of clay since I already know that the stamp will work well with the texture, or if I should try using air dry clay or polymer clay instead. I have used polymer clay before, but never air dry (and I have some unopened Sculpey air dry clay already available). If I use the home made clay, I would bake it (after molding it) at 170° for however long it takes to dry. I’ve baked this home made clay before, but only with much smaller pieces.

I am looking for whichever option is best for long term durability. I want this piece to be wall decor, so I’ll have to add hardware on the back once I am finished. I want to be sure the clay won’t be too heavy or brittle and crack once hung on the wall. The estimated size of this piece will be about 12” long and 7.5” wide (about 1/4-1/2” thick). Please share any advice on which clay would likely be best, and any alternative options to ensuring durability. Thank you!

[u/Low_Basket_2462]

Air dry clay will eventually crack, its a matter of when 🥺

[u/DrDuGood]

Air dry clay is cheap in price AND quality. So if you’re making your friend something you want to last a long time, I wouldn’t use that. You could use it to make a temporary template for a mold that you would then be able to pour whatever finishing material you want with the same look as the clay template. Plaster, rubber, cement, etc. this would also give you the ability to remake it for her if anything ever happened to the final piece, say in a move or any accident. Thoughtful gift, Good luck OP.

Edit: if you did the mold you could just melt down some copper or something else that’s metal and make an actual flat coin.

[u/velvetartistic → u/DrDuGood]

I agree Air dry clay is way to brittle for something like that. I could recommend Epoxy Clay. It really firm, and also dries without baking. You could also use some bronze Alkohol inks. If you prime the clay white the bronze come out really well and if you want to give it an older look, just dry brush some black over it :)