Your hands and nose are your best tools. A dry clay piece feels cool to the touch because water evaporates and takes heat with it. When it feels room temperature and lighter, you’re close.
How Long Does Air Drying Take
Tap it gently. A dry piece makes a high-pitched clink, like a ceramic teacup. A wet piece makes a dull thud, like a rubber ball. Learn that sound—it’s your victory bell.
Still unsure? Let it sit another day. Patience is a cheap insurance policy against heartbreak. Rushing is how you end up with a cracked, lumpy creature that looks like a failed science experiment.