Pottery set for beginners: more than just a pretty cheat pack?
19/1/2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Stefanie Lechthaler
Air-drying clay is practical. But is it worth spending a lot of money on it? I have tried it out.
I don't need to tell you that pottery has been all the rage for a few years now. No wonder - who doesn't love creating personal works of art and crockery from soft clay with their own hands? Unfortunately, however, the courses on offer are usually expensive and therefore not accessible to everyone.
The fact that there is a need for a home solution has been recognised by companies such as Sculpd or Pott'd have recognised this and have responded with a range of well-marketed pottery kits. Self-drying clay has been around for a long time, but they have developed a convenient and attractive solution that delivers clay, colours and tools directly together. The whole thing comes at a price. And a hefty one at that. You'll have to put down around 100 francs or euros for the Sculpd set.
To find out whether this type of kit is worth it, I modelled a lamp base with the starter set from Sculpd. You can find the instructions at the end of this article.
This is part of the set
My first impression is quite good. The packaging is nice and high-quality. Inside I find:
- Two bags of air-drying clay, each containing 900 grammes, although the instructions say one kilo per pack
- a tin of white primer
- a tin of transparent varnish
- a sponge
- five pottery tools
- two paintbrushes
- eight different acrylic colours
- one modelling instruction
Modelling clay
The feel of the air-drying modelling clay is noticeably different from the firing clay, except for the colour. It has a rubbery feel. Almost a little artificial - even in smell. When I cut a chunk with a knife, small, paper-like fibres stick to the blade, as if the main ingredient were cellulose. However, I have not found any information about the exact ingredients.
Comparing two packages of the same product also reveals clear differences: sometimes the clay is quite hard immediately after unpacking, other times it is surprisingly soft. The softer lump is much easier to knead and mould, whereas I have to add water to the harder lump. This in turn makes the surface slippery and it takes time for the water to be fully incorporated. One positive thing I notice is that the double packaging ensures that the mixture stays moist for a long time. Similar products often only have plastic packaging.
I'm getting better at pressing, spreading and rolling out with practice. I can also confidently ignore air bubbles with this oven-free method. Over time, I understand the best way to shape the mixture - and I can get started.
Tools
The set includes four modelling sticks, a modelling loop and a sponge. The wooden surface of the tools is quite rough and not particularly well finished. I would also like to see different Basic tools such as metal spatulas, steel brooms or an engraving needle instead of the four pieces of wood. If you want to get started with modelling, this would probably be better for you.
In general, I have the feeling that plastic or rubber tools are more suitable for this clay. The rubbery modelling clay sticks to the wood immediately. I only need two of the four tools for my lamp base. I do most of the modelling by hand. Working the surface with the sponge also only works moderately well. I smooth out cracks and unevenness with my finger.
Acrylic paints
Depending on the kit, the basic set contains a different collection of acrylic colours. In addition to the earth colour palette tested here, you will also find another one with pastel shades in the shop.
In addition to two solid brushes, eight coloured tubes and a larger bottle of white acrylic paint are included. This is applied as a primer to the bone-dry objects before the coloured layer is added. Basically, the clay does not absorb the colour, it lies on the material more like a layer of skin. This has the advantage that you can paint the white primer like paper. However, the disadvantage is that the colour only adheres weakly and can come off if it cracks. This is exactly what happened on my first attempt - and I had to pull my entire work of art off my lamp base like a layer of skin.
I like the choice of colours. They are opaque and easy to blend. In the event of minor mishaps, it is even possible to mop the still damp layer of colour from the primer with a cloth and paint new ones over it. I am happy with the colours, because the quantity is completely sufficient for the few objects that I can make with the supplied paint. The same applies to the gloss varnish supplied. This is intended to protect and seal the colour and is applied as the final layer on the painted surface.
Only the brushstrokes that are visible on the finished object bother me a little. However, this is more due to the painting method with the acrylic paints than to the Sculpd modelling set.
Included instructions for modelling
The first section contains a small collection of learning aids - or rather 15-second insta-reel tutorials. These serve at most as inspiration. However, the pages that follow contain useful step-by-step instructions in English that make it easier to get started with modelling. The practical examples, such as thumb moulds or the sausage technique, are also provided with a QR code for detailed video instructions.
My test has shown that I don't get very far with the amount of clay provided and it's only enough for a few experiments.
Is the set worth it for you?
There's actually not much in favour of it. The price in particular is pretty hefty for the contents. Self-drying clay is already pretty cheap. If you buy two kilos of it, a modelling tool set, an acrylic paint set, gloss varnish and two brushes, you pay at least ten per cent less and also have high-quality tools. If you then do without the set and limit yourself to individual acrylic colours, it will be even cheaper.
As a gift idea, however, the set works quite well. Especially because of the stylish and thoughtful packaging. But if you want to get to grips with the topic and invest some time in research, you'll get more out of it than with this craft kit.
In a nutshell
Overpriced pottery set for beginners
The Sculpd set looks great and offers a nicely packaged introduction to pottery. It works well for a few cosy experiments at home. The instructions are easy to understand and make it easy to get started. However, the tools are rather simple, the mass does not extend very far and the price is quite high for what is included. As a gift or for anyone who wants to get a taste of pottery without too much effort, it's a good choice. However, if you want to get more serious about the topic, you'll be better off with individual materials - and you'll even get better tools.
Pro
- Instructions for getting started with modelling
- Set comes with a large selection of materials and tools
- Sophisticated packaging design
Contra
- Price
- Material of the wooden tools
- Less sound content than stated on the packaging
Header image: Stefanie Lechthaler
Painting the walls just before handing over the flat? Making your own kimchi? Soldering a broken raclette oven? There's nothing you can't do yourself. Well, perhaps sometimes, but I'll definitely give it a try.
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