Aves Critter Clay 5 lb (2.27 kg) – Native

Water-based, self-hardening modelling clay that air-dries to a hard, flat finish with 0–1% shrinkage. No oven, no kiln, no mixing. The long-standing standard clay for taxidermy eye and ear work, and a very capable general sculpting clay.

Ready straight from the bag. One part, no mixing, no measuring. Cut off what you need, reseal the rest and start sculpting.

It keeps its size. Aves quote 0–1% shrinkage. That's the reason taxidermists use it around eyes and ear butts: what you shape is what you get once it's dry.

Fine, smooth texture that holds detail. Good for texturing, stamping, impressions, coiling, pinching and slab work, with a plastic, easy-to-push feel.

No oven, no kiln, no fumes. It hardens by air-drying at room temperature to a hard, flat, lightweight finish that you can carve, sand and paint.

Easy to clean up. Washes off hands and tools with soap and water.

Native is a light, earthy brown, close to a natural clay tone. It's the colour most taxidermists use, because it disappears under hide and paint, and it reads well as bare earth or stone for groundwork.

Planning to paint light colours over it, or want to see fine surface detail clearly while you work? The White version is the better pick. Same clay, same handling, white body.

Yes, if you get through clay steadily. Taxidermists with several mounts on the go, classrooms and workshops, larger sculptures, and bigger terrain or diorama builds. Per pound, the 5 lb works out at well under half the price of the 1 lb bag (Aves' own list prices).

Maybe not, if you're trying it for the first time or only need it for one small job. Opened clay is best used within about 14 days, so a 1 lb bag wastes less if you use clay occasionally.

The trick with a big bag: portion it on day one. Split the clay into airtight bags or tubs, press the air out, keep one in use and put the rest in the fridge or freezer. Critter Clay is freeze-thaw stable, and this is the difference between using all 5 lb and binning the last two.

✔ Taxidermy: setting glass eyes, building up eyelids, ear butts and skull plates, filling and shaping on mannikins before the skin goes on.

✔ Freehand sculpting and prototyping: figures, animals, ceramic prototypes and design mock-ups.

✔ Model and diorama groundwork: earth banks, rock outcrops, ruined walls and large terrain shapes over a foam or wire base.

✔ Classroom, craft and family projects: handprints, pinch and coil pots, stamp impressions. Aves rate it for ages 5 and up.

✔ 1 × Aves Critter Clay, Native, 5 lb (approx. 2.27 kg), in its original sealed Aves packaging

We don't split, re-portion or repack. You get the clay exactly as it leaves Aves.

1. Take out only what you'll use in the next hour and reseal the bag straight away, pressing the air out.

2. Shape by hand or with tools. It sticks best to clean, textured or roughened surfaces. For joining pieces, poke holes or score both faces.

3. Smooth with just a few drops of water on your fingers or tool.

4. Let it dry slowly and evenly at room temperature, away from radiators, heaters and hairdryers. Touch-dry overnight; allow 1–6 days for a full cure depending on thickness.

5. Once fully dry: carve, sand, paint, seal.

1. Less water, fewer cracks. Aves say it plainly: excessive water causes cracking. Use the smallest amount that lets you smooth the surface. Most "Critter Clay cracked" stories trace back to over-wetting or drying too fast.

2. Buy yourself time. Cover work in progress with a damp cloth or cling film between sessions to extend the 30–60 minute working time.

3. Taxidermy: don't let it dry before the skin goes on. Experienced mounters set eyes and ear butts in Critter Clay, then glue and mount while the clay is still workable. It's for building up inside the hide. For exposed finish work on the outside of a mount, use an epoxy such as Apoxie Sculpt instead.

4. Bulk it out. For large sculpts and terrain, build over a core of foam, foil or wire. It's faster, lighter, and thinner clay dries more evenly with less risk of cracking than a solid block.

5. Revive clay that's firmed up. A couple of squirts of water in the sealed bag, left overnight, brings slightly dry clay back. Use as little water as possible.

6. Storage for a 5 lb bag. Once opened, clay is best used within about 14 days. Portion the bag into several airtight packs as soon as you open it, and refrigerate or freeze the ones you aren't using. Aves recommend cold storage for extended shelf life, and the clay is freeze-thaw stable. Let frozen clay come back to room temperature in its sealed bag before use.

7. Seal before you paint. Dry air-dry clay is porous. A coat of sealer or primer first gives more even paint coverage and protects the piece from moisture.

We stock both, and they do different jobs:

Critter Clay: 1-part, water-based, air-dries. Soft and easy to push, cleans up with water, safe for family use. Best for bulk shaping, taxidermy eye and ear work, prototypes, groundwork and classroom projects.

Apoxie Sculpt: 2-part epoxy putty. Cures harder and waterproof, and bonds to almost any surface. Best for miniatures, thin or fragile parts, repairs, anything handled a lot, outdoor pieces, and exposed finish work on mounts.

Not waterproof. It's a water-based clay, so dried pieces must be sealed if they'll meet moisture. It isn't suitable for outdoor use unprotected, or for food or drink.

Not the clay for tiny, thin details. For miniature-scale sculpting, thin blades, spikes and parts that need strength, a two-part epoxy putty will serve you much better.

It won't glue itself to smooth surfaces. Rough up, texture or key the surface first, or use an armature. On slick plastic or glass it can lift once dry.

Opened clay has a shelf life, and 5 lb is a lot of clay. Best used within about 14 days of opening. If you won't get through it in a couple of weeks, portion it and freeze or refrigerate what you're not using. Otherwise the 1 lb bag may be better value in practice.

Sanding dust: take precautions. Aves' safety data states that dust from sanding or abrading the cured clay contains crystalline silica, which is harmful to the lungs with repeated exposure. Handling and shaping the wet clay isn't affected. When sanding dried pieces, wet-sand where possible or wear a suitable dust mask (FFP2/FFP3), work with ventilation, and supervise children.

✔ Critter Clay White: same clay, white body. Available in 1 lb and 5 lb.

✔ Critter Clay Native 1 lb: the smaller bag, if you want to try it first or only use clay occasionally.

✔ Apoxie Sculpt: two-part epoxy modelling compound in a range of colours and sizes.

✔ Apoxie Clay, Super White Apoxie, Apoxie Paste and Aves Finishing Solution: the rest of the Aves sculpting system.

UK stock, VAT included, no import surprises. We import Aves directly from the manufacturer in the USA, so you don't pay US shipping, customs or handling fees on top.

Same-day dispatch: orders placed before 3 PM, Monday to Friday, go out the same day. Royal Mail collects from us at 4 PM.

UK: Royal Mail Tracked 24. We're in Derby, next to Royal Mail's Midlands hub, so parcels start the journey from the middle of the country.

International: Royal Mail International Tracked. US orders are sent Delivered Duty Paid (we cover import duty). EU and rest of world: local import duty and taxes are payable by the buyer.

Hobby Heaven — By Hobbyists. For Hobbyists.

Family-run hobby and art supplies from Derby, UK. Direct importer of Aves Studio products. We'd rather tell you a product isn't right for your project than have you send it back.

Critter Clay™, Apoxie® and Aves® are trademarks of Aves Studio LLC.