About nirii
What is nirii?
nirii is a premium at-home pottery kit. Everything you need to sculpt, paint, and seal beautiful pieces — no kiln, no wheel, no experience required. Just you, the clay, and a couple hours of screen-free quiet.
Who is this for?
Honestly? Anyone who wants to make something with their hands. Most of our customers are complete beginners who haven't touched clay since grade school. You don't need to be artistic or crafty. The clay is forgiving, the guide is clear, and the whole point is to enjoy the process — not to be perfect.
What's the difference between the Solo Kit and the Duo Kit?
The Solo Kit includes 2 lb of clay and one set of tools — perfect for a quiet evening on your own. The Duo Kit includes 4 lbs of clay and is meant to enable two people to work side by side. Same quality, same experience, just sized for one or two.
How much can I make with one kit?
The Solo Kit (2lb of clay) is enough for 1-2 small to medium pieces — a ring dish and a small vase, for example. The Duo Kit (4 lbs) gives each person enough clay for their own project, or one person enough for 3-4 smaller pieces. Many customers split their clay across multiple sessions.
What's included in the kit?
Each kit comes with premium air-dry clay, a wooden sculpting tool set, shaping sponge, acrylic paints, brushes, waterproof varnish, and a step-by-step project guide with QR codes to video tutorials. Everything you need is in the box.
Do you sell refills?
Yes. Our 2 lb refill bags are the same premium clay that ships with the kits. We also offer color clay variety packs and accent paint palettes if you want to expand your creative range.
Working with Clay
Do I need a kiln or oven?
Nope! nirii clay is air-dry, which means it cures naturally at room temperature over 24-48 hours. No kiln, no oven, no special equipment. Just set your piece on a flat surface and let the clay do its thing.
How long does the clay take to dry?
24-48 hours depending on the thickness of your piece. Thicker pieces take longer. Let them dry at room temperature, flip them halfway through so both sides dry evenly, and avoid using a hair dryer, oven, or direct sunlight — uneven or fast drying is the main cause of cracks.
What if my clay dries out before I use it all?
Wrap any unused clay tightly in the resealable bag that comes with your kit, press out all excess air, and store it in a cool place. Properly stored, it stays workable for months. If it starts to feel a little stiff, add a few drops of water and knead it back to softness.
My piece cracked. What happened?
Usually one of three things: it dried too fast (near a heat source or in direct sun), the walls were uneven thickness, or a join wasn't blended well enough. The good news is that small cracks can be filled with a bit of wet clay and smoothed over before painting. And if the crack is big — reshape the clay and start fresh. That's the beauty of working with this material.
Can I paint and decorate my pieces?
Absolutely. Wait until your piece is completely dry (it will feel lighter and look uniform in color). Apply the base coat first, let it dry, then add your colors. Once the paint is fully dry, seal everything with the included varnish for durability. The guide walks through the full process step by step.
What's the best way to join two pieces of clay together?
Score, slip, blend. Use your knife tool to scratch crosshatch marks on both surfaces you want to join. Add a few drops of water to create a thin layer of slip (basically clay glue). Press the pieces firmly together and smooth the seam with your fingertip or blending tool until it disappears. This is the most important technique in the guide — strong joins mean no cracks.
Finishing & Care
How do I care for my finished pieces?
Wipe with a damp cloth. Don't submerge in water or put in a dishwasher. Keep out of prolonged direct sunlight (it can fade paint over time). If a piece chips, touch it up with a bit of paint and a fresh coat of varnish. Treat your pieces the way you'd treat any ceramic object — they're strong, but not indestructible.
Is the finished pottery waterproof?
Once sealed with the included varnish, your pieces are water-resistant. For items that might be near moisture (like a vase or planter), we recommend applying 2-3 coats of varnish and letting each coat cure for 24 hours.
Is air-dry clay food safe?
No — and this is true for all air-dry clay, not just ours. Air-dry clay is porous, meaning it can absorb moisture and bacteria even after sealing. No varnish changes that at a fundamental level. Your pieces are beautiful, durable functional objects — just use a liner or barrier between the clay and anything wet, hot, or edible. For example: place a glass jar inside a vase for fresh flowers, use a plastic nursery pot inside a planter, or line a tray with a cloth before putting fruit on it.
Can I use my pieces as vases or planters?
Yes, with a few simple steps. For vases, place a glass, jar, or test tube inside to hold the water — your clay piece is the decorative shell. For planters, use a plastic nursery pot inside. Don't put soil or water directly against the clay.
Can I make candle holders?
Yes. Use pre-made candles (tapers, tea lights, votives) placed inside your piece. Don't pour melted wax directly into the clay.
Shipping & Returns
How much does shipping cost?
We offer free ground shipping on all US orders over $50.
Where do you ship?
Currently we ship to the continental United States only. We're working on expanding to more regions — join our email list to be the first to know when we do.
How long does shipping take?
Orders ship within 1-2 business days. Delivery typically takes 3-5 business days depending on your location. You'll receive tracking info by email once your order ships.
Will my clay arrive dried out?
No. The clay is sealed in airtight packaging inside the kit. It stays fresh and workable until you open it.
What's your return policy?
If your kit arrives damaged or you're not happy with it, reach out to us within 14 days of delivery at hello@nirii.co and we'll make it right. We want you to love what you purchased.
Can I return a kit after I've opened it?
Due to the nature of the product (clay and paints are consumable items), we can only accept returns on unopened kits. If something is defective or damaged, we'll replace it regardless.
What if something in my kit is missing or broken?
Email us at hello@nirii.co with your order number and a photo of the issue. We'll send a replacement for any missing or damaged components — no need to return the whole kit.
Safety
Is the clay non-toxic?
Yes. All materials in the nirii kit are non-toxic and comply with ASTM D-4236, the US safety standard for art materials. Safe for adults and supervised older children.
Is this safe for kids?
Our kits is designed for adults, but older children (12+) can absolutely use it with supervision. The sculpting tools have some pointed edges, and the varnish should be applied in a ventilated area. Small children should not use the kit unsupervised.
Are the paints safe?
Yes. The acrylic paints included are non-toxic and water-based. They wash off skin and most surfaces with soap and water while wet. Once dry, they're more permanent — so we'd suggest covering any surface you don't want paint on.
Will this stain my table?
The clay itself shouldn't, but the paints can if they dry on an unprotected surface. We recommend laying down parchment paper, a plastic sheet, or other type of surface protection before you start. Your furniture will thank you.