Air Dry Clay

It will work, with little shrinkage , but I don’t care for it. It has a different consistency than Critter Clay, to which I am addicted.

 

I typically use it for ear buts and other features but only like critter clay for face features, eyes, nose, lip line. I say typically because I have used what you ask because I ran out of critter clay and needed to get stuff mounted, it works but I like to set my clay and let dry some before I mount and this clay will dry hard and brittle and break off when bumped, making it a PIA.

 

Like I said, it is possible but, you have to mount the skin before it dries too much. My typical routine is to set eyes and do my clay work first thing in AM and mount after lunch. That way while I'm sewing the seam the clay rehydrates enough to tuck and final shape features.

 

Yes, that has worked for me, but knowing how it reacts when dry, makes me leery of using it for eye work on a regular basis.

 

Never used the Hobby Lobby clay, so I can't comment on that.

All we use is Rainy Lake clay from Minnesota Clay Company. I usually clay up right before mounting. If I am going to do clay work sit for awhile, say overnight, I will bag it up tight over the head and mount the next morning. It does shrink a little, but then again, so does the hide paste and tanned skins. You just adjust for the shrinkage while mounting and babysitting.

Minnesota Clay has a clay with minimal shrinkage for taxidermist, but I don't like it. It's just to stiff.

 

Both

 

I have even had Critter clay crack and fall off if you let it dry too much before mounting. That is aggravating. Cant imagine dealing with lesser quality clay.