SALT DOUGH CRAFTS

Sam's comments...29 days and counting!

Today is election day and a very slow day at the polls.  It is normally slow on an off year.  We are voting for a mayor, city council, and school board members.  Not a lot of hoopla.  One of our neighboring cities...Detroit...is having a big election.  It will also be interesting to see what happens in New Jersey and Virginia's governor races.  Enough about politics!

Anyway, the kids in the neighborhood didn't have school today because of the new prescinct in the local elementary school.  One of the mothers, Lydia, decided to do a craft for a few of the kids and at the last minute invited me to join them.  She made some Salt Dough.  As a child, I don't remember making things with salt dough at school or at home.  My mom worked in a factory and wasn't a creative (arts and crafts) type person.  So, I stopped by and made a few items:  holly, champagne glass, a tart, and a sun.  Lydia is going to bake these crafts and then on Thursday, the kids are going to paint/decorate them because they only have a half day of school.  Teachers have some afternoon conference.  I don't remember having so much time off school as a child either.  I either have a very poor memory or things are different today.  I certainly hope these crafts look better on Thursday after adding some paint.  Next time I'll be prepared and be more creative.  Another new experience...it's great to be retired!

In case you are interested, here is the recipe for Salt Dough:

1 cup table salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup water (perhaps a little less)
1 - 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Mix the ingredients using less than the cup of water.  Knead the dough on a flat surface, adding a few more drops of water as needed (but not making it too moist and not too dry).  Cover in plastic for 30 minutes before using. 

Once the dough is made, you can divide it up into small portions to roll into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick pieces with a rolling pin or make the decorations freehand. Use cookie cutters to cut out a variety of shapes, and place the shapes on wax paper and then on a cookie sheet.  If you want to make hanging ornaments, pierce the dough through with a toothpick while it's wet.  If you want to attach pieces together, use a dab of water as your glue.

Bake them in the oven at 250 degrees F until hard about 3-4 hours. Baking time varies depending on oven and dough thickness.  Make sure the dough is completely baked. You can cover the dough with aluminum foil if it starts to darken before completely baked through.

Allow them to cool for 2-3 hours.  Paint them and then use a clear varnish to seal them.

Salt Dough Project Suggestions and Tips:

You can store prepared salt dough in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a day or two before using.

Add color to the dough by mixing food coloring or paint into the water before adding it to the flour/salt mix. Alternatively, you can paint the finished baked dough with acrylic paint.

Painted objects should be sealed on all sides with polyurethane spray or clear varnish to make them lasting gifts or keepsakes. •