Tag Archives: clay crafts

Quidditch Necklace

Forget cricket and polo – every wizard and Muggle knows there’s only one sport worth watching on blustery fall days…

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A combination of basketball, soccer and maybe cricket (?), Quidditch is the sport of the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Played on brooms, the game involves getting balls into goal posts, all while one member of each team tries to capture the illustrious Golden Snitch, which is about the size of a plum and travels at crazy speeds. When a team captures the Snitch, the game is over and that team wins.

Featuring a Quaffle (the big red ball), two Bludgers (the brown balls) and a Golden Snitch, this necklace is a must for all Quidditch fans! The beads are made using clay then tied onto a black cord.

This is a simple and attractive statement piece that is sure to impress Harry Potter fans of all ages.

Quidditch Necklace

Materials:

  • Maroon, yellow and brown clay
  • Round ball tool (large)
  • Clay poking needle
  • Cord
  • Thin gold wire
  • Jewelry pliers
  • Jewelry wire cutters

Instructions:

First, make your large quaffle ball. For the quaffle, I used a piece of maroon clay about the size of my thumb…maybe a wee bit bigger. Roll it into a ball…it’s okay if it’s not 100% even, it gives it a well-worn look!

To try to avoid fingerprints, I put the ball on a needle as I worked. I used the large ball tool to make the indents in the ball, then used the needle tool to make the lines connecting the indents. I also used the ball tool to texture the rest of the ball…then set it aside.

For the bludgers, I tried to make the line around the ball before baking the beads, but I couldn’t get it to work…so I just made round beads, poked a hole in the center, and made the line around the balls (using a needle tool) after they had baked and cooled:

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For the snitch, I rolled a tiny piece of yellow clay into a ball. I still had a little red clay on my fingers, which gave this snitch a little red hue, which I actually really like. I baked all my beads at the same time (about 275 degrees in a toaster oven for about 5 to 10 minutes).

Once the snitch was cool, I took two pieces of jewelry wire and formed wings…then used my jewelry pliers to gently poke the wings into the bead.

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Then all you have to do is string those beads onto a cord and you’re good to go! I used wire to create a little jump ring to help thread the snitch onto the cord since I couldn’t fit the string through the hole in the bead. I also tied knots between the beads to keep them in place.

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I really like how this necklace turned out! It was super easy to make and is a fun statement piece that Harry Potter fans will love!

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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You Are Your Best Thing Key Chain

Sometimes we all need a little reminder that we’re our own best thing.

clay-keychain

When I first read this quote in Toni Morrison’s novel, Beloved, I think I cried a little happy tear. It’s so easy for us to lose focus and find fault in ourselves, especially when times are tough or you’re going through a rough patch in your life…but we all need to remember and rejoice in our own beauty, knowing that we all are our own best thing!

You Are Your Best Thing Key Chain

Materials:

  • Clay in color of your choice
  • Glitter in color(s) of your choice
  • Small letter stamps
  • Common clay tools (roller, needle or pin)
  • Mod Podge glue or spray sealer

Directions:

Shape clay in color of your choice into large oval. Use the roller or a round ball tool to remove any fingerprints.

Using the small letter stamps, stamp your message. For mine, I wrote my message bottom to top, back to front…so I was stamping my message backwards, essentially. This allowed me to line up the end of the word with the edge of the oval.

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Bake your clay charm as directed.

Once totally cool, either dip other side of key chain in Mod Podge or use brush to apply glue. Add glitter. Let dry. Add another coat or two on entire clay piece to seal.

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This glitter comes from a set. Colors from left to right are: MARTHA STEWART Limeade, Sour Apple, Wintermint, Blueberry Slush and Sugar Plum.

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Show off your new key chain!

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I also made this square key chain using the same method, then covered the whole back with the leftover glitter.

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Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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“Constant Vigilance!” Bracelet

It’s no secret that Hogwarts can’t hold on to one damn Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Every year it’s a new crazy loon hired to offer life lessons about how to fight off the evils of dark magic.

While each teacher had their moments, I think it was Alastor Moody – the Auror turned professor in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – who had some of the best advice for young wizards: “CONSTANT VIGILANCE.”

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As a matter of fact, I feel like this is helpful advice even us Muggles could use. It never hurts to be on the lookout and this little clay bracelet is a great reminder to always keep one eye open!

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As an added dedication to one of my favorite Hogwarts professors, I also added a little clay eyeball, reminiscent of Moody’s “mad eye” to embellish this bracelet. This is a super easy project to make for anyone new to clay crafting and can be made in any color you’d like.

Constant Vigilance Bracelet

Materials:

  • Clay in color of your choice (for bracelet)
  • Gold, white, blue and black clay (for eye charm)
  • Basic clay tools (knife, roller, pin, small round cutter)
  • Small letter stamps
  • 3-5 jump rings
  • Chain or string for bracelet
  • Basic jewelry tools (pliers, etc.)

Instructions:

To make eye charm, roll out gold clay to about 1/8 in. thickness. Cut small circle using cutter or knife.

Roll ball of white clay, measuring about the same size as the inside of the gold circle. Using a knife, cut a flat side on the ball. Attach to gold circle.

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Using finger, gently flatten dome part of eye.

Create iris with blue and black clay. Attach to white dome. Using needle or pin, poke small hole in top of gold circle to attach jump ring later. Set aside.

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For bracelet, roll out clay in color of your choice to about ¼ in. thickness. Using small letter stamps, stamp message in clay. Use a ball tool to gently remove any intents, if necessary. Using pin, poke two holes in bracelet, one on each side to attach chain or string. Gently form around wrist.

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Bake clay charm and message band according to clay package directions. Let cool completely.

*If you want to make the letters stand out, you can use paint or ink to help highlight the letters.

If desired, you can seal your charm and message band with Mod Podge or sealing spray.

For the band, I used an assortment of embroidery string. I just threaded it through each hole and braided it. Easy, peasy!

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I added my clay charm to the right side of my bracelet, but you can add it wherever you like.

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Enjoy your new bracelet!

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Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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The Road to Anywhere Key Chain

The first time I read The Phantom Tollbooth was right before my 31st birthday. Crazy, I know! I received the book from my aunt as a gift and tore through it in one sitting. I loved the messages about the importance of the journey, as that’s something that’s been drilled into my head by my parents since I was a little girl.

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One of my favorite parts of the book was this quote: “There are no wrong roads to anywhere.” I thought it so perfectly summed up everything we were taught about exploring every possibility, whether that be metaphorical or literal. I actually loved it so much that I turned it into this cute little key chain!

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Complete with a key charm to better convince you to hop in the car and just see where it takes you, this key chain makes a great gift for a graduate or someone about to embark on a new life-changing journey.

Made using polymer clay, this charm is surprisingly light-weight, durable, and super easy to make!

The Road to Anywhere Key Chain

Materials:

  • Polymer clay in desired colors (I used two shades of purple clay)
  • Small rubber letter stamps (I found mine in the dollar bin at Michaels)
  • Pen or toothpick
  • White paint
  • Key charm
  • Key ring
  • Paper towel
  • Mod Podge
  • Foam Brush

Instructions:

  1. To create the clay circle, I marbleized two purple clay colors together. Once marbleized, form into a circle, measuring about 2 in. across and 1/4 in. thick.
  2. Use your rubber letter stamps to stamp in your message.
  3. Using a pen or a toothpick, create the hole at the top of your charm for the key ring.
  4. Bake your clay charm following the directions for whatever clay you’re using.
  5. Once cooled, place a small amount of white paint on your paper towel. Quickly rub it over the letters, then rub as much of the paint off as you can, leaving the paint to sink into the stamped letters. This takes some practice, but if you mess up, you can use nail polish remover to take the paint off and try again.
  6. Let your paint dry, then seal it in with a coat of Mod Podge.
  7. Add your key charm, if desired, and your key ring and you’re ready to hit the road!
    keychain3

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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8 Cute AF Polymer Clay Crafts

Clay crafts may sound old-fashioned, but there are actually some super cute things you can make with polymer clay.

From jewelry storage to actual jewelry, these 8 cute AF polymer clay crafts will have you stocked up on clay in no time!

8 Cute AF Polymer Clay Crafts

polymer-clay-projects

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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Delia Deetz’s Mini Beetlejuice Statues

Some couples bond over their shared love of fine dining…others bond over their love of books or art.  Some bond over similar political or social views…and still others bond over a mutual love of sports or travel.  And still some, like my husband and myself, bond over a love of the ghost with the most…

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While it actually was a love of theater that originally brought us together, it was our mutual love of Beetlejuice that cemented the fact that we were meant to be.  Besides the fact that my husband does the BEST (the BEST) impression of Beetlejuice, our joint love of Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara has further proven that our lives would just be one dark room without the other!

Let’s just drive the point home a little further by saying that we even went to the town where Beetlejuice was filmed on our most recent road trip!  Needless to say it’s a bit run down and the amazing Deetz house is no longer there, but it was still magical just to be in the town where it happened!

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Here’s where we think they built the bridge where the Maitland’s had their accident that ultimately killed them.

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The school where Lydia Deetz attends at the end of the movie.

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The possible location of the Deetz house!

We even ran into Beetlejuice on our most recent trip to Universal Studios for my sister’s bachelorette party!  I almost peed myself with excitement:

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Clearly I have a problem…

And if you’ve spent any time on the Internet these last several months or so, you may have heard the rumors about a possible sequel to Beetlejuice in the near future…I will not comment to much on this (I HATE THIS IDEA), but let’s just say I’ve been feeling nostalgic about this amazing cult movie and decided to add a little Deetz culture to our own home.

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Remember these?  They’re the sculptures Delia Deetz made that later came to life during the séance they had to bring the Maitland’s back from the dead.  While my versions are MUCH smaller than the original, I still think they add a little charm to our home!

Delia Deetz’s Mini Beetlejuice Statues

Materials:

  • Stone-Colored Clay
  • Gold Clay
  • Clay Roller
  • Large Ball Tool
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Quick-Dry Tacky Glue

Instructions:

For the leaf claw statue, I rolled the stone-colored clay into a leaf shape.  I used most of the block for the leaf, setting aside about a 1 in. ball for the base.

To make the prongs, I just pinched the sides of the leaf and gently molded them into spikes.  I did the same for the base, pulling a small amount into a tab to be inserted into the base.

For the base of the statue, I just made a square and used a knife to cut a hole for the tab on the top part of the statue.  Bake these pieces separately…you’ll assemble them once they’ve been baked.

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For the round square statue, I divided the gold clay into two portions, with one portion slightly larger.  Reserve a tiny amount for the neck and feeler on the head.  With the smaller portion, make the square.  With the larger portion, make the head…first forming the clay into a ball then elongating it slightly into an egg shape.

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The neck was made with the small reserved portion and I attached it to both pieces using a large ball tool to smooth out the clay.  The antenna was also made using the small reserve and attached to the head with the ball tool.

Transfer all pieces to a baking sheet (you can cover the sheet with aluminum foil or just have a sheet that you devote to clay baking, which is what I do!).

To keep the antenna up while baking, use aluminum foil to hold it in place.  Bake your pieces following the instructions on your clay…most likely a 275 degree oven for about 20 minutes.

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Once baked, remove from oven and let cool completely!

Once completely cool, remove aluminum foil from round square statue.  Place tacky glue in slot of square base and insert leaf statue into base.  Let dry.

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And there you have it!  Hopefully these little buggers won’t come to life in the night…

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Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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Harry Potter Book Cover Charms

Looking for a cute and easy gift idea for the bookworm in your life? Look no further, because these little book cover charms are just the most adorable thing in the universe.

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Everyone loves a gift that’s meaningful and budget-friendly, and that’s exactly what this Harry Potter Book Cover Charms Set is…

Made using a template and Polymer clay, these little charms can be used as ornaments, gift tags, or even wine charms for a literary party (I’m talking to you, book clubbers!).

I’ve attached the template I created to make these Harry Potter books, but you could make charms with any book covers you’d like! How cute would these look hanging from a Christmas tree or birthday gift? I’m just in love with them!

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I used regular printer paper to create these little charms, but if you can print on stiffer paper or cardstock, that might work better. The printer paper was a bit flimsy and didn’t really stick to the clay, but that’s nothing a little Mod Podge can’t fix! I’m gonna try cardstock next time and see if that works any better.

I literally can’t wait to create more of these little book charms! I might even make a garland that I can hang around my bookshelves or around my Christmas tree next year!

OK, I need to simmer down…

Harry Potter Book Cover Charms

Materials:

  • Harry Potter book cover template
  • Scissors
  • Polymer clay, in color of your choice
  • Clay rolling pin
  • Craft knife
  • Mod Podge glue
  • Brush
  • Quick-Dry tacky glue
  • Baker’s twine

Instructions:

  1. Print out your book covers on thick paper or cardstock, if you can.  Regular paper will work, but the stiffer paper will work better.  Cut out your book covers.
  2. Roll out your clay to about 1/4 in. thickness.  Place your book covers on the clay and, using your clay roller, gently press the covers into the clay.  It won’t be a secure stick, but the paper will stick better as the charms bake.  Using the craft knife, cut out the covers.
  3. Using the leftover clay, create seven little discs, about the size of your pinky nail.  These will help secure the string to the back of the charm.
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  4. Bake your covers and discs following package instructions.  Watch your clay, though.  It may bake a lot faster than you think!
  5. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
  6. Once cool, use a brush to add a thin layer of Mod Podge to the top of each book cover.  This will give your books a nice shine and will also help secure the paper to the clay.  Let dry.
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  7. Turn your covers over and add a small amount of tacky glue to the back.  Cut a piece of baker’s twine, about 3 – 4 in. long.  Fold in half.  Place two ends in glue, making sure loop rises above your charm.  Secure twine with small clay disc.  Let dry completely.
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Where the Wild Things Are Necklace

By now, dear readers, you must know that I am a huge Maurice Sendak fan.  I know I’ve written about him at least a couple times on this blog.  I own several of his books, I dressed up as Max from Where the Wild Things Are for Halloween one year…heck, I even have a Sendak-inspired tattoo on my leg.  I adore his stories and his views on how children should be taught and raised.

So today I’d like to share a fun little necklace with you, inspired by Max from Where the Wild Things Are.  Made of clay, this little charm could also make a great ornament or gift embellishment.

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Where the Wild Things Are Necklace

Materials:

  • Gold Clay
  • Gray or Off White Clay
  • Clay Roller
  • Sharp Knife
  • Aluminum Foil (optional)
  • Toothpick or Sewing Needle
  • Jump Ring
  • Chain

 

Instructions:

  1. Work gold clay until it’s soft and pliable.  Roll out flat.
  2. Using the sharp knife, cut out the crown shape.  I just cut out triangles from the clay.  Easy peasy!
  3. Wrap clay around your finger to form crown, trimming any excess clay if necessary.  If you find it too hard to use a finger, you can also make a mold from aluminum foil and wrap your clay around that.
  4. Work gray clay until it’s soft and pliable.  Roll clay into a log, about ¼ in. thick.
  5. Wrap around base of crown and press lightly to secure it in place.
  6. Using the toothpick or sewing needle, drag the point through the gray clay several times to create the look of “fur”.  Careful not to push too hard and cut through the clay.
  7. Carefully poke a hole in one of the points of the crown.  This will be for your jump ring.
  8. Slightly bend the points of the crown back so crown looks curved.  You can bend the points over a pencil or pen if you’d like.
  9. Bake the crown following package instructions on your clay.  Mine took about 15 minutes at 275 degrees F.
  10. Let your crown cool completely.
  11. Once cooled, attach a jump ring to the crown and string it through your chain.

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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Marbled Clay Coasters

I love to entertain.  I really don’t get to do it enough because…

A) no time
B) no space
C) no time

But when I can, I really enjoy it!  I love putting together themed parties and decorating my space to suit the occasion.  Even if there’s no theme, it’s always a blast eating and drinking with those you love.

So the other day, while indulging in Avalanche Sharks (yes, it’s a real movie), I got an idea for some colorful and fun coasters that would add style to any get-together…PLUS, it’s a great clay buster if you’re looking for a project to use up all those random clay pieces from other projects.

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These Marbled Clay Coasters are awesome!  They’re super colorful and durable and I just love how they turned out.  They also make great gift ideas for that special hostess with the mostess (Christmas is 4 MONTHS AWAY, PEOPLE!!)

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Marbled Clay Coasters

Materials:

  • Various pieces of crafting clay (I used an assortment of Sculpey clay…this much clay gave me 4 coasters)
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  • Clay rolling pin
  • Large circular item to cut out coasters (large drinking glasses, biscuit cutters, or small bowls work well…just make sure they’re slightly larger than a drinking glass – I used the lid for a large candle)
  • Sand paper (optional)
  • Felt (optional)

Directions:

  1. Work the clay pieces individually in your hands until soft and pliable.  Keep in mind that dark clay might stain your skin, so I suggest starting with the light colored clay first, then work the darker colored clays.
  2. Roll clay into logs.  It doesn’t really matter how long or fat the logs are here…just eye ball it and try to keep it somewhat equal.  Here were my logs, with a pen for reference (these logs gave me 2 coasters, then I did the same with the clay on the left for 2 more).
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  3. Gather logs together and twist once.
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  4. Fold logs in half and twist again.
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  5. Gather clay into a ball and work for only a few seconds, as you don’t want the colors to bleed too much.
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  6. Roll out the ball to reveal the neat marbling effect!  Don’t like the look?  Turn your clay over, it’ll look different on the other side!
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  7. Cut out your coasters and transfer to baking sheet (I have a sheet I use specifically for clay, but you can use a regular baking sheet covered with aluminum foil).
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  8. To cut more coasters, you can add more clay to your already marbled clay or start fresh.  Just remember not to work the clay too much or else you’ll just end up with nasty poo brown clay.
  9. Bake your coasters following the instructions on your clay.
  10. Let cool and enjoy!
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  11. If you want, you can sand the edges using sand paper or glue felt to the bottom of the coaster, but neither is necessary.

Here’s a closeup of some of the coasters I made…I clearly had way too much fun here!

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Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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Stamped Clay Pendants

I don’t know about you, but for me this coming new year is all about frugality. I’m embracing my inner DIY goddess and I’m going to finish up those half-completed projects, clean up my craft stash, and challenge myself to try new and exciting techniques (time to take that sewing machine out of storage)!

As I made my way through my craft box, I realized that I had a ton of leftover clay pieces from various projects I’ve done in the past.  I didn’t have enough to do anything too extreme, so I thought I’d make these cute little pendants, perfect for gift giving, wearing, or even using as gift tags for holiday packages.

These Stamped Clay Pendants are so easy to make…and no one will believe that you did these yourself.  You could also make a bunch of these clay pendants and turn them into magnets, necklaces, earrings, and much more.  Personalize them however you’d like and hand them out to friends and family this year.

2013 better look out…it’s bound to be a year of DIY madness!

Stamped Clay Pendants

Materials:

  • Clay (I used Sculpey, at least 2 squares per pendant)
  • Clay roller (optional)
  • Wax paper
  • Assorted rubber or plastic stamps
  • X-acto knife
  • Toothpicks (optional)
  • Baking sheet
  • Paper towels
  • Paint
  • Paint brush
  • Mod Podge (optional)
  • String
  • Beads (optional)

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Instructions:

  1. Condition 2 Sculpey clay squares (warm it up in your hands until it’s ready to work with) and roll out into a circle shape, about 3” in diameter. Press your stamp into the clay. You can work on a table or lay wax paper down, which will allow for easy removal of your clay.
  2. Here’s what I used to create my pendants.  As you can see, I used a variety of rubber stamps, but you can also use everyday items.  The blue pendant is made with a broken earring.  Use coins, beads, or other unique pieces of jewelry to create a unique look in your clay.
  3. Once your stamp is on, remove excess clay with a knife or a shape cutter. You can include writing on your pendant by using a toothpick to poke out the letters.  I wrote “Sing” in the green pendant.
  4. Remember to create a hole in the top of the pendant to allow for your necklace string!
  5. Bake your pendants on a metal or glass surface according to package directions. Let cool completely.
  6. This is the fun part! Lay your cool pendants on a paper towel or paper plate and paint over the pendant with regular fabric paint. Working quickly, wipe off the paint with a damp paper towel. Some of the paint will stay on the clay, which is what you want. Try different techniques like rubbing the paint in one direction, dabbing or sponging with the paper towel, or using your painting skills to paint directly on the clay. It’s totally up to you! Use like colors for cool shadows and opposite colors for contrast.
  7. Let your pendants dry completely.
  8. Once your pendants are dry, paint on a layer of Mod Podge. This step is optional, I just like the shine! Let that dry, too.
  9. When your pendants are dry, string your chain through the hole. You can add a bead if you’d like…I used beads from a bracelet that snapped a few years ago.

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.

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