DYI ideas with air-drying clay

You have bought air-drying clay, cleared the kitchen table and rolled up your sleeves. But what now? We have gathered six inspiring and beginner-friendly projects to create with air-drying clay. Sometimes it is the ideas that are missing, and we hope this article sparks your creativity and inspires a creative moment with this magical material.

Vases and pots made from air-drying clay

The DIY trend with air-drying clay is here to stay. Right now, vases are particularly trendy to make, with organic shapes and earthy, pastel tones being the go-to style. Since the clay is not waterproof, you can cover a glass jar or plastic container to create a functional vase or pot. You can also breathe new life into old pots you find at home or second-hand by covering them with air-drying clay.

Shape soft lines, add texture with patterns or experiment with sculptural details. Let your creations dry and paint them in beautiful colours (use acrylic paint), or experiment with decoupage (more on decoupage later in the article). For extra durability, finish with varnish and enjoy your unique handmade decorations.

Air dry clay ornaments to hang

Let your imagination run wild and create unique hanging ornaments with air-drying clay. Perfect for decorating the Christmas tree, Easter twigs or as a beautiful mobile for a christening gift. The shape and decoration can be adapted to the season and occasion. Hearts for Valentine’s Day, snowflakes for winter or flowers for a summery feel.

For lighter ornaments, we recommend Fimo Air Light, which dries to a very light weight and works well with thin strings. Other clays may become heavier, which is worth considering when hanging. Decorate your ornaments by pressing in plants, painting lovely motifs or adding gold leaf for a luxurious touch. Simple to make and full of personal charm.

Decorating clay with decoupage

Decoupage is a fantastic technique for decorating air-drying clay and creating unique, detailed patterns without having to paint by hand. With the help of thin papers or other materials such as tissue paper, dried flowers, gold leaf or newspaper cuttings, you can easily give your clay creations a personal and stylish touch.

How to Use Decoupage:

1. Prepare the surface: Make sure your clay piece is completely dry and lightly sand it for a smooth surface.
   
   
2. Apply glue: Use a thin layer of decoupage glue or diluted school glue on the area where you want to place your design.
   
   
3. Attach the paper: Carefully place the paper onto the clay and smooth it out with a soft brush to avoid bubbles and wrinkles.
   
   
4. Seal the surface: Once the paper has dried, apply another layer of glue or varnish on top to protect and seal the design.

Shop everything for decoupage here →

Create jewellery dishes from air-drying clay

Jewellery dishes are a perfect beginner project using air-drying clay. They are easy to shape, fun to decorate and make fantastic gifts. Since the clay is not suitable for water or food, jewellery dishes are a better choice than tableware. Shape a round, wavy or patterned dish, let it dry and paint with acrylic paint or gold leaf for a personal touch. Add varnish for extra durability and enjoy your handmade creation.

While you are at it, why not try making a piece of jewellery to complete the gift? We have everything you need and more for jewellery making.

Letter Stamps for clay

With the Staedtler FIMO Stamp Kit, you can easily create unique messages on clay. Perfect for gift tags, magnets, place cards or other creative projects.

The set includes 88 letters, 19 numbers and special characters that stick to different types of clay. The included guide rail makes it easy to position the letters straight, and the stamps are easy to clean with soap and water. A handy way to add a personal touch to your DIY projects.

Painting on air-drying clay

It is no secret that we at Pen Store love pens. That is why we are extra excited about this tip: painting your clay creations with colours and pens in lovely colour combinations. Choose acrylic or gouache paints to cover larger areas and create bold colour transitions with sponges and brushes.

If you enjoy the stability and creative freedom that pens offer, you can choose from all the acrylic markers in our range. By playing around with colours and patterns on your creations, you can create expressive and unique vases, bowls, sculptures and much, much more. Remember to finish with a varnish to seal your artwork.