<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

A classic (and cheaper!) solution is the old cornstarch ornaments, which
also keep better than anything containing applesauce without attracting
bugs.  Here's the recipe from the argostarch.com website, which also has
some very cute decorating ideas.
 
ARGO PLAY CLAY
Makes about 2 pounds

1 cup Argo® or Kingsford's® Corn Starch
1 pound (2 cups) baking soda
1 1/4 cups cold water
1 tablespoon Mazola® Oil
1 tablespoon liquid food color, or
1 to 2 teaspoons Rit® Dye
1 to 2 teaspoons paste food color



	
1.	In medium saucepan stir corn starch and baking soda. Add water and
oil all at once and stir until smooth.


2.	Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until mixture reaches the
consistency of SLIGHTLY dry mashed potatoes. (Mixture will come to a boil,
then start to thicken, first in lumps and then in a thick mass; it should
hold its shape.) If Play Clay is overcooked, crafts may crack.


3.	Turn out onto plate and cover with damp cloth; cool.


4.	When cool enough to handle, turn play clay onto work surface dusted
with corn starch; knead until smooth and pliable. If not to be used
immediately, store completely cooled clay in tightly closed plastic bag or
container.


5.	Shape Play Clay as desired by molding into shapes, balls or ropes
with hands. Or roll flat with a rolling pin or press with hands, making
pieces of moderate thickness. (Thin items [less than 1/4 inch thick] tend to
be fragile; very thick pieces often dry unevenly and may crack.) Press or
etch designs into soft Play Clay. Plan to glue small pieces together and
heads to bodies rather than press Play Clay shapes together.


6.	Air-dry Play Clay overnight on wire racks, turning occasionally to
speed up drying and make objects dry evenly. Oven Drying: Preheat oven to
350ºF, then turn oven off. Place undecorated items on a wire rack on a
cookie sheet. Place in oven until oven is cold. Repeat as necessary.


7.	Decorate with water color or acrylic paints, felt tip markers,
colored glue, glitter glue, crayons. Let dry completely. Coat decorated
items with clear acrylic to seal.


8.	Store un-shaped Play Clay in an airtight container or heavy plastic
bag in a cool place up to 2 weeks. Knead stored clay until smooth before
using.

MICROWAVE METHOD: Stir corn starch and baking soda in 2 ½-quart microwavable
bowl. Add water and oil all at once and stir until smooth. Microwave at High
(100%) uncovered, 2 minutes; stir. Microwave 3 to 4 minutes longer, stirring
after each minute until mixture reaches consistency of SLIGHTLY dry mashed
potatoes. Complete as above.



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