ByEllen
On this page you’ll find a wide variety of air dry clay ideas for crafts you can make. We’ve made sure to include a broad selection, no matter your skill level.
Air dry clay is one of the easiest types of clay to use and most versatile in what you can make. It doesn’t require being kiln fired or being baked in an oven.
These attributes make it the perfect clay for beginners.
To show you just how versatile it is, we’ve put together a list of the most awesome air dry clay ideas along with tutorials showing you how to make these cool little projects.
Among this list we’ve included super fun clay crafts projects including jewelry, home decor, planters, ornaments and more!
What supplies do I need to make crafts with air dry clay?
Typical craft supplies for making air dry clay crafts are:
- Air dry clay
- craft knife
- Silicone mat or a smooth surface to work on
- Clay roller or rolling pin
- Wax paper
- Flexible palette knife
- Extended thumb for joining
- Craft knife
- Thumb joining tool- or eraser end of a pencil
- Sandpaper
- Foam brush
- Varnish
- Space heater- optional (for quicker drying)
70 Fun Air Dry Clay Ideas To Make!
These air dry clay ideas will inspire you to grab your clay and start making. We have 70 DIY clay tutorials to get you started.
1
How To Make Air Dry Clay Bowls
Photo Credit:www.gatheringbeauty.com
You can use stamps to create different patterns in air dry clay. Take a look at the detail in these beautiful bowls. This is one to keep in mind for a gift idea.
2
DIY Clay Candlestick Holders With Copper
For your own piece of beautiful home decor, make these copper and air dry clay candlestick holders!
3
How To Make A Cement Bead Garland And How To Use It In Your Decor
Photo Credit:www.songbirdblog.com
Wood bead garland is extremely popular, why not give cement bead garland a try with this easy-to-follow tutorial? This would look really cool strung across a mantel.
4
Stamped Clay Tags
Photo Credit:www.lovelyetc.com
Gather inexpensive rubber stamps to add numbers to clay tags. Wouldn't this be a great idea for a Christmas Countdown calendar?
5
Easy DIY Nature Ornaments From Clay
Photo Credit:artsyprettyplants.com
Learn how to use elements from nature to create clay tags and ornaments with an embossing technique.
6
How to Make an Easy Air Dry Clay Trinket Dish
Photo Credit:colorfulcraftcorner.com
Create amazing detail in a clay trinket dish with a stunning mandala effect. Make a set of four, wrap them with a pretty bow and you have a great gift!
7
How to Make an Easy DIY Wire Sculpture (Grab the Free Art Template)
Photo Credit:bloomintheblack.com
If you are looking for a unique and modern piece of art to create, check out this DIY wire sculpture. Think of the designs you could create with this idea!
8
How To Make A Clay Mushroom –With Air Dry Clay
These mushrooms are an easy beginner clay project if you're just getting started. Put them in flower pots or a small garden for some fun whimsical decor.
9
DIY Clay Gift Tags
Photo Credit:www.popshopamerica.com
Instead of using basic paper gift tags, make your own with air dry clay. That way the recipient can use it as an ornament after.
10
DIY Clay Balloon Planter, Fun And Easy!
Photo Credit:artsyprettyplants.com
If you missed the clay planter I made, you definitely want to check it out. It was super fun to create!
11
Easy DIY Wildflower Seed Bombs
Photo Credit:juliemeasures.com
You'll be able to gather plenty of wildflowers by making your own wildflower seed bombs. This is a surprisingly easy process using air dry clay and the included tutorial. These are a sweet gift for Mother's Day, or birthdays.These are a sweet gift for Mother's Day, or birthdays.
12
Clay Wall Vase: adds unique character to your wall display!
Photo Credit:craftsbyamanda.com
Making your own home wall decor was never easier. This clay wall pocket will look great anywhere.
13
How to Make Pearly Plant Pokes
Photo Credit:www.artsykarma.com
Add a little color to your indoor plants with beautiful plant pokes. They are unique, fun and super easy to make!
14
DIY Herb Garden Markers with Air Dry Easy-Sculpt Clay
Photo Credit:sustainmycrafthabit.com
Throw out those boring plastic garden markers and make your own clay plant markers. You could even make fun markers with puns for your plants.
15
Air Dry Clay Candle Holder For Christmas
Photo Credit:artsyprettyplants.com
Get a jump start on holiday gift-giving with DIY clay candles. There are so many different ways you can make these. Add color, keep them natural, or make your own fragrance. Such a great idea!
16
Make A Cute Clay Gnome –With Air Dry Clay
The perfect clay project for the whimsical! This detailed tutorial will show you how to make both a man and a lady gnome!
17
Easy DIY Magnets
Photo Credit:salvagedliving.com
Create handmade magnets to add to your bulletin board or display your child's artwork. All you need are a few inexpensive supplies.
18
Easy Ribbed Air Dry Clay Planter
Photo Credit:artsyprettyplants.com
Not only can you use air dry clay for a planter, but you could also make it into a flower pot. Just add water and put some fresh cut flowers inside.
19
How To Make A Beautiful Air Dry Clay Candle Holder
Photo Credit:www.pillarboxblue.com
I'm a firm believer that you can never have too many candle holders, especially when they are as cool as this clay version. Wouldn't several of these be stunning lining a mantel?
20
How to Make Simple Air Dry Clay Ornaments
Photo Credit:www.firstdayofhome.com
Gather acrylic paint in different colors to make beautiful clay ornaments. Add wooden beads or twine to hang them. They could be a yearly keepsake by dating the ornaments.
21
How to Make A Rustic Floral Handmade Clay Tray
Photo Credit:hearthandvine.com
It's really easy to create a handmade clay tray with pretty flowers and clay. Plus, it makes a nice statement piece in your home.
22
Easy DIY Grinch Ornament Using Clay
Photo Credit:artsyprettyplants.com
Grinch fans will love this DIY Grinch ornament. The detailing is amazing!
23
Pressed Flower Clay Dish Idea
Photo Credit:THEBESTIDEASFORKIDS.COM
These pressed flower clay dishes are a great idea for jewelry lovers. Keep your jewelry neat and organized. You can also place these in the entryway to hold keys, change, etc.
24
DIY Mini Wall Shelf: No Nails Required!
Photo Credit:craftyourhappyplace.com
Look at this pretty home decor idea using clay. This is such a great idea for someone with a small space.
25
Easy Clay Relief Tile Art Lesson
Photo Credit:craftyartideas.com
You can get very creative and colorful with this wall art tile decoration. What a creative use of air dry clay.
26
Quick and Easy Air Dry Clay Arum Lilies
Photo Credit:acraftymix.com
Here’s a fantastic tutorial on how to make realistic looking air dry clay flowers. Use this for a table centerpiece.
27
Enchanting Clay Mushrooms That Light-Up
Photo Credit:acraftymix.com
Mushrooms are all the rage right now and these are the perfect gift for our mushroom-loving friends. These beautiful little mushrooms light up for that perfect whimsy.
28
How to Make a Ring Holder with Clay
Photo Credit:diycandy.com
Here’s a clever tutorial using air dry clay like paper origami. Learn how to fold clay in this ancient Japanese folding style to create a unique ring holder.
29
Leaf-printed air drying clay decorations
Photo Credit:the-gingerbread-house.co.uk
Collect leaves in different shapes and sizes to make leaf-printed decorations.
30
The Cutest DIY Gingerbread Man Sign and a Christmas Giveaway
Photo Credit:www.diybeautify.com
A gingerbread man is a classic Christmas decoration. Why not step it up a notch by turning it into a pretty Christmas sign.
31
Make Your Own Botanical Clay Wall Art
Photo Credit:acraftymix.com
This is a great idea for those of us who love the Boho style. This tutorial uses simple materials to make a clever piece of home decor.
32
DIY Jewelry Dish using air dry clay
Photo Credit:www.vikalpah.com
Add a touch of metallic gold to a handmade jewelry dish. This would also make a great soap dish for the bathroom.
33
Geometric Clay Earrings DIY (In 5 Styles!)
Photo Credit:www.popshopamerica.com
Here's a super fun idea for air dry clay earrings in geometric shapes. Such a fun and modern jewelry idea.
34
DIY Flower Frogs with Air Dry Clay
Photo Credit:hearthandvine.com
You’ve got to see how these flower frogs turned out. These are such a neat, functional idea that everyone could use.
35
Monogram Ring Dish
Photo Credit:dukesandduch*esses.com
Ring dishes are a popular clay craft idea. Take it to the next level by creating a monogram jewelry dish.
36
DIY Incense Holder
Photo Credit:lovelyindeed.com
Make a clay DIY incense holder by following this easy tutorial. Wrap them with some incense for a handmade gift.
37
DIY Shooting Star Clay Ornaments - Scandi Christmas
Photo Credit:www.diywithmyguy.com
Decorate a Christmas tree with handmade clay shooting star ornaments for a pretty addition to your holiday decor.
38
nature mobile | Sheri Silver - living a well-tended life... at any age
Photo Credit:sherisilver.com
What a pretty nature mobile. This is another great use of air dry clay to make your own wall art.
39
clay diffuser tags | Sheri Silver - living a well-tended life... at any age
Photo Credit:sherisilver.com
Make pretty tags to use as scented diffusers! The combination of the clay with the yarn makes these especially pretty. I bet they will really make your space great too! They might make a great stocking stuffer, or teacher gift too.
40
How to Make Beautiful Air Dried Clay Leaves
Photo Credit:craftinvaders.co.uk
Make a stunning clay leaf to use as a jewelry dish, decorative piece, or paperweight. Use a gold leaf technique for a touch of glam.
41
DIY Clay Gnomes
Photo Credit:dollarcrafter.com
Have you jumped on the gnome bandwagon yet? These clay gnomes are the perfect way to start!
42
DIY Clay Diffuser Necklace for Essential Oils
Photo Credit:www.wethreeshanes.com
Create a clay pendant necklace in different colors and shapes using this technique. It's also a diffuser with essential oils!
43
Faux Stone Air-Dry Clay Jewelry: DIY Beach Pebble Bracelet
Photo Credit:sustainmycrafthabit.com
If you like coastal or beachy jewelry you are going to want to make this clay pebble bracelet. It's beautiful!
44
Beachcomber’s Picture Frame with EasySculpt Epoxy
Photo Credit:sustainmycrafthabit.com
Learn how to make a keepsake picture frame with stones and trinkets from a beach vacation. This clay craft would be fun to make with kids.
45
Essential Oil Storage Box in Four Easy Steps!
Photo Credit:diycandy.com
If you’re in need of storage for things like small bottles, then making this storage box that holds oil bottles might be the perfect tutorial for you. It is such a smart idea, you can use the same principle for all kinds of other small bottles.
46
Learn to make your own earrings using air dry clay.
Photo Credit:ivylillies.com
Make your own easy earrings with air dry clay. The design options are limitless, and this tutorial has some great ideas and tips.
47
DIY Vintage Frame Ornaments
Photo Credit:www.thelatinanextdoor.com
This is a lovely thing to make for anyone who’s especially nostalgic during the holidays. What a beautiful stylized decoration this DIY’er made around the frame.
48
Sea Glass Mason Jar
Photo Credit:www.thecountrychiccottage.net
Upcycle mason jars with clay and sea glass. Add a tea light to create a luminary effect.
49
Bead and Clay Ornaments
Photo Credit:rufflesandrainboots.com
Bead and clay ornaments are a simple and fun craft project. You can keep them white, or add a bit of color.
50
A simple yet pretty diy ornament
Photo Credit:alifeunfolding.com
Learn how to emboss clay with stamps to make beautiful Christmas ornaments. Celebrate a baby's first Christmas, or new home by personalizing them.
51
How To Make Beach Themed Clay Wine Glass Charms
Photo Credit:ourcraftymom.com
Add a sweet little clay charm to your wine glass for a fun detail, and so guests know which glass is theirs.
52
Clay Ring Dish with a Hand Painted Design
Photo Credit:diycandy.com
Add a hand-painted design to a trinket or ring dish with this creative idea.
53
Easy Clay and Wood Bead Christmas Ornaments
Photo Credit:www.diybeautify.com
Make your own wood bead garland or ornaments with just a few simple steps.
54
Mini Coastal Clay Houses
Photo Credit:craftsbyamanda.com
Here’s a fun beachy craft. If you have a beach home, you’ll love making this to go with the rest of your beach decor.
55
Handmade Christmas Sign – Festive DIY Porch Decor
Photo Credit:www.teaandforgetmenots.com
What an amazingly unique way to use air dry clay! This door hanger or wood sign is so adorable. And it really is an easy project to make.
56
DIY Seed Bombs
Photo Credit:www.saltycanary.com
Seed bombs make thoughtful wedding favors or bridal shower gifts, and they are super easy and inexpensive to create.
57
Make A Keepsake Baby Hand Print Love Sign
Photo Credit:ourcraftymom.com
Create a keepsake handprint sign with air dry clay. Use scrap wood and pre-made letters to keep costs down.
58
Clay Leaf Bowl - Air Dry Clay Art Project
Photo Credit:www.messylittlemonster.com
Make a small bowl in the shape of a leaf to use for decorative purposes. Perfect to display on a bookshelf.
59
Cuneiform Craft
Photo Credit:bibletimesvbs.blogspot.com
Check out the awesome Youtube video for the full tutorial details.
60
Clay Baby Handprint Ornament - The Cutest Baby Keepsake!
Photo Credit:www.messylittlemonster.com
Learn how to make a baby handprint ornament for the cutest addition to your Christmas tree.
Air Dry Clay Projects Perfect For Making With Kids
There are so many creative air dry clay projects that you can make with kids of all ages. The following tuorials are especially great clay projects for kids.
61
DIY Rainbow Clay Stackers
Photo Credit:intheplayroom.co.uk
Help your kids learn their colors through art. This rainbow clay stacker is super fun and simple.
62
DIY Air Dry Polymer Clay & Fall Leaf Imprints Kids Craft
Photo Credit:www.happinessishomemade.net
Kids can gather fall leaves and acorns to make their own clay imprint art. A perfect weekend craft.
63
Toddler-Friendly DIY Fall Wreath with Easy Air Dry Clay Recipe
Photo Credit:www.mimosasandmotherhood.com
This DIY fall wreath is a toddler-friendly craft that will also look great on your front door. Wouldn't this be a fun craft for a kid's birthday party? Each child could make their own and take it home.
64
Make “Leprechaun Gold” Air-Dry Clay Gold Coins
Photo Credit:barleyandbirch.com
Here’s a great one for the kids. You can make these gold coins and use them as rewards, or hide them for scavenger hunt-like games.This tutorial shares lots of great air-dry clay tips!
65
Air Dry Clay Recipe
Photo Credit:activity-mom.com
Instead of buying air dry clay, make your own with this simple homemade clay recipe. Kids can learn through play.
66
Clay craft: making clay pressings from nature
Photo Credit:growingfamily.co.uk
Who remembers making leaf impressions at summer camp? Pass this tradition on to your kids with this easy tutorial.
67
How to Make a Handprint Ornament the Easy Way!
Photo Credit:modpodgerocksblog.com
A super simple way to make handprint ornaments is by using Crayola air dry clay. These would be great for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or teachers.
68
Clay fingerprint Christmas tree decorations for kids to make
Photo Credit:the-gingerbread-house.co.uk
Kids will get a kick out of making their own fingerprint ornaments with bright colors using cooking cutters. This is a seriously cute craft idea!
69
Easy Air Dry Clay Recipe
Photo Credit:littlebinsforlittlehands.com
Here is an easy air dry clay recipe that you can make with a few staple pantry ingredients. The kids can use cookie cutters in all shapes and sizes to make their own gift tags or ornaments.
FAQ for working with air drying clay
Does air dry clay break easily?
Air dry clay only breaks easily if your pieces are very thin. It can be fragile, but a thicker piece will hold up quite well.
What can you put on air hardening clay to seal it?
I have been using a varnish and acrylic top coat to seal my air dry clay and both have done a great job at preserving the finish and keeping moisture out.
What other types of clay are there that can you make craft projects with?
There are many different types of clay that you can use for making crafts, such as:
- handmade clay, like salt dough
- Natural clay (traditional clay)
- polymer clay
- oil-based clay
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