Cold Porcelain (Porcelana Fria) modelling is a relatively new craft which is growing in popularity. The ready made, air-drying paste (known as "CelPaste"), which is made from a mixture of glues, preservatives and cornflour (the commercial formulation has been developed by Titi & Oscar Pena, near Buenos Aires), is imported direct from Argentina by CelCrafts! The paste is supplied ready for use and it should be stored at room temperature. If it feels a bit firm, it can be warmed up by kneading a small amount between fingers. If it feels a little too soft, it can be exposed to the air for a few minutes and it will firm as the moisture evaporates.

There's only ONE CelPaste!

   CelPaste : the ideal air-drying modelling paste for flowers
   and figurines etc. - the original Asi es paste, imported from
   Argentina! Although there are other pastes available,

                   CelPaste is "the best of the best!"

How to use Cold Porcelain Paste . . . . .

When CelPaste is used directly from the pack (referred to as "natural") it will dry semi-translucent and coloured slightly "creamy". It will also have a wax-like or slightly plastic appearance. To achieve a finish which is more opaque and like porcelain, a small amount of titanium white oil paint or white gouache needs to be added to the paste first and mixed in well (NB too much will tend to dry the paste and make it crumbly!). The addition of white will give the base to which all other colours can be added and is referred to as "whitened" paste. When adding other colours, it should be remembered that the colour will darken as the paste dries (ie. as the paste shrinks, the colour becomes more concentrated).

Although CelPaste can be rolled very thin for making flower petals etc., it is important to remember that it will shrink about 15-18% on drying, depending upon the thickness. Paste rolled too thin may have insufficient definition on drying. When thinning petal and leaf edges, use a rolling action rather than stretching - metal ball tools work particularly well. It is possible to use a wide range of plastic and metal flowers cutters. All the petal shapes for a flower can be cut out and worked and veined before any assembly - the Así es paste does not dry out as quickly as sugar, for example. Petals are attached to each other by using PVA glue (water soluble), and the flowers can be hung upside down to dry. If formers are used, remove after a while so that the underside can dry thoroughly. Flowers should normally be left overnight to dry, and large flowers may need longer. The petals can be slightly reshaped the next day by holding over steam and bending.

For figure modelling (eg figurines, animals, birds) large pieces should not be made from solid paste, because the surface will crack. For a central bulk use styrofoam or papier maché, which may be fixed and supported on strong wires. For branches, the wires can be wrapped with absorbant paper (eg toilet paper) before adding the paste. Extra soft paste (paste with water added) may be added to a dried area and blended by rubbing over with wet fingers, without leaving noticable joins.

For colouring, craft dusting colours and chalks may be used but the finished pieces then need to be sealed with a lacquer. Water colours and acrylics may be suitable for certain pieces and there is scope for experimentation. However, oil colours give pleasing effects, particularly for painting flowers, and they are the most resilient colouring medium - cold porcelain work painted in this way not only keeps its colour, but can also be rinsed under a tap when dusty. Care needs to be taken to avoid using too much thinners however, because this will also give a finish which is plastic-like!

NB. Sugarcrafters should not place Cold Porcelain directly onto a cake surface. Though it is non-toxic, it is not an edible product and should not be used merely as a substitute for sugar!

Additional Information and Tips on usage :

"CelPaste" is the new brand name for Asi es Cold Porcelain (an air-drying modelling paste which dries in approximately 24 hours to give a porcelain-like appearance). Because the paste is of a different consistency, we thought you might find a little extra guidance on its use helpful.

CelPaste is softer and more easy to use because it has more 'stretch'. It is the ideal medium for making flowers and floral decorations. Natural paste dries semi-translucent and has a 'plastic' appearance, but if a whitener is added, the finish becomes opaque and porcelain-like. Knead the natural paste briefly and than add a small amount of white gouache (or white oil paint) to obtain "whitened paste". DO NOT add too much whitener because the paste will be come dried and crumbly. To obtain coloured paste, always mix some white in before adding the colour and remember that the colour will darken as the paste shrinks and dries. It is possible to use many different types of colouring - food colours, water colours, oil paints, acrylic colours etc., but we would recommend "Duo Aqua Oils", which dry quickly and give a very pleasing effect.

CelPaste has a 'shelf life' of at least 6 months and should be stored at room temperature in a cool dry place. Do not mix colours into paste that is going to be stored. To use the paste, knead a small and if you feel the paste is too soft to use, leave in the air for 10 minutes and knead, then repeat if necessary or until it is of the right consistency. If the paste seems too firm, then simply wrap in a damp cloth and leave for 30 minutes. It will absorb some moisture and can then be kneaded back to the desired consistency - repeat the process as necessary.

For paste that has gone very hard, you may still be able to recover a substantial amount by placing in a bowl of water for a while and then, after rubbing a little cold cream on hands, work and knead back to a soft and usable state - we have heard of one case where some paste was "lost" for over 2 years, but by placing in water and kneading etc., 95% of the paste could still be used!!