Homemade salt dough recipe that really works anyone ? Tips ? x

[timetochange70]

We hung homemade gingerbread men on the tree last year and those that didnt get eaten (because they looked too good and i wouldnt let anyone ! ) eventually went soft and fell off.
This year id love to make them and keep them as permanent Christmas decs-maybe make one for teachers.
Anyone able to share easy recipe how long to cook and what if anything you paint onto or seal salt dough shapes with so they really do last
TIA x

Only made salt dough twice and the first time was a disaster but I do know where I went wrong. Knead the dough for at least 10 minutes. I air dried my dough. My oven is fierce even set at slow temperature causing the dough to brown and blister.

Paint with acrylic. It's plastic based. Ready mixed paints could make the dough soggy. Inter-net says finish with vanish. I've bought a small bottle of windsor and Newton varnish (Hobbycraft, WHSmith) but haven't got round to going it jet.

I wrote this tutorial last year... it might be helpful. :)

Have a look on Craftgawker for cold porcelain - posh salt dough. I haven't made it yet but it looks great in the piccies and I'm planning on making it with my 5yo niece. You can colour it with acrylic paints instead of food colouring.

I've finished clay with school glue (PVA) before and it's quite handy as it dries quick-ish and is safe to use round little ones.

I have two salt dough decorations (a green tree and a yellow star) that DD made at creche when she was 2, they were air dried and have lasted 14 years.

Mind you when she was given the first to bring home, she had it in her hand in the back of the car in the car seat and I looked in the rear view mirror to see a toddler with bright green dribbles - she was having a good chew on the Christmas tree decoration. You can still see the teeth marks in it...

Do you have to cook in oven as the turorial says or could you just leave to air dry do you think ?