Tips about materials and apparatus for Japanese clay flower making.

1. Japanese clay
    Japanese clay is the instant clay readily to make artificial flowers. The only brand sold in Thailand for over 10 years is Lunaclay (previously, clay of other brands was available.). The ingredients of Japanese clay; mixed flour and latex glue, are mixed and kneaded in a secret Japanese formula. The characteristic of Japanese clay is softness and smoothness. The clay is not sticky and, when over-added with color, turned crumbly. When dried, the work piece will look soft and matt finished. If 100% made of Japanese clay, the work piece may be brittle and easy to break, especially at the crease, after long storage.
   
2. Thai clay
    Depending on the property of each clay formula and the application, Thai clay is the instant clay, readily to make artificial flowers or a tiny figurine. Generally, Thai clay is classified into 2 types as follows.
    The first is Thai clay with main ingredients of flour and latex glue, similar to Japanese clay. When dried, this type of clay appears transparent. Thus, the user needs to add white paint to get color. The example is Vanda clay.
    The second is Thai clay with main ingredients of kaolin, instead of flour. Kaolin helps lessen disturbance of insects and fungi formation. This type of clay will turn white when dried, thus, not necessary to add white color. The example is Chaopraya Thai clay.
   
3. Oil color
    Oil color is used in mixing with clay and for painting. Since it is oil-based, รินซีด should be used as a solvent to dilute the color.
   
4. Acrylic color
   Due to its thickness, acrylic color is suitable for painting. Water can be used to dilute the color. It dries faster than oil color.
   
   
5. Paint brush
    Paint brush is used for painting. Some are imported from overseas e.g. Japan, some are produced in Thailand. If a work piece is small, a smaller number of paint brush should be used. If a work piece needs extra refinement of painting, Japanese paint brush is recommended.
   
6. Acetone
    Its application is for cleaning off unwanted color on the work piece and cleansing paint brushes.
   
7. Facial cream (mostly, Pond cream with lemon scent is recommended.)
    The facial cream is used to prevent clay from sticking to an iron roller or other materials e.g. compressing bag, or to hands.
   
8. Vaseline
    The application is the same as the facial cream, but much cheaper.
   
9. Latex glue
    Its application is to glue work pieces together, suitable to use with small trees, and when the clay is not completely dried. Another application is that, when the clay is almost dried, you can soak the clay in warm water and knead it with latex glue and Pond cream.
   
10. Liquid glue or superglue
     This type of glue is used to glue dried work pieces together; suitable for large size of work pieces. Should not get contact on skin (If accidentally put on the skin, use acetone to gently rub it off.).
    
11. Glue gun
     It is used to glue a log piece or attach a work piece with other materials e.g. pin, magnet.
    
12. Iron roller and dumbbell
     Iron roller is made of stainless steel. It comes in different shapes to fit different applications. It should be used with lubricating materials e.g. facial cream or Vaseline.
    
13. Clay presser
     A clay presser used now is a noodle presser. Previously, we used PVC pipe to press clay. However, it is inconvenient and difficult to get a desirable thickness. Clay presser reveals the advantage of mechanism of thickness adjustment with a particular number representing a different thickness. Different brands and models of clay presser give different number assigned for thickness. For example, in some model, higher number means lesser thickness but in other model, the number assigned is opposite. Thus, getting a desirable thickness depends on the user’s familiarity to the clay presser. If the work piece is of small size, it should be pressed to get a thin finished, and vice versa.
    
14. Nail paint
     Some users prefer nail paint since it dries quickly. It also gives shiny and protruding look.
    
15. Velvet powder
     Velvet powder is used on the flower with hairy exterior e.g. gerbera, sunflower, and lady slipper. It is available in many colors and appearances, depending on the application.
    
16. Wire
     Wire is one of the important elements for all kinds of flower making. Most wires we usually use are 1-layered wrapped. Some are thickly wrapped for used where a thickness is required.
    
17. Flora tape
     Flora tape is tough adhesive paper, used to tie wires, available in many colors to fit a variety of application.
    
18. Moss
     Moss is used to pave the ground inside a pot. Moss made in Thailand is cheaper than the imported one, but may be inferior in its beauty.
    
19. Log
     It is a real and natural root brought from mountains or forests. It should be cleaned and varnished before use to prevent from insect and to enhance beauty. Today, there is a resin-made log which can replace the use of a real tree root. With the identical size, the resin-made log is convenient, especially, when a large order has to be met. This type of log is also exported to overseas market.
    
20. Artificial grass powder
     Made from saw dust, it is used in place of moss, easy to use and come in variety of color.