From simple trinkets to decorative home accents, there are so many fun things to make out of clay.

Clay crafting is the perfect way to turn your creativity into something beautiful and tangible. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, working with clay is both relaxing and rewarding.

Think handmade jewelry, adorable ornaments, or chic planters—there’s no limit to what you can create!

Need more inspiration? Be sure to check out all of our craft ideas for endless projects that will keep your hands busy and your imagination flowing.

Can I use any type of clay for these projects?

You can choose from the main types of clay – polymer clay, air-dry clay, or oven-bake clay  –  based on your preferences and project requirements. 

• Polymer Clay is a type of modeling clay that can be molded and sculpted to create three-dimensional objects, and can be baked in an oven to harden. Polymer clays come in a variety of vibrant colors, and your creative polymer clay ideas can be painted in vibrant colors after they are baked. 
  
• Air Dry clay is a type of modeling clay that does not require baking. It’s made from natural materials such as flour, water and salt; making it a great idea for little hands because it’s non-toxic and doesn’t produce any fumes when it’s being worked with. Dry your air dry clay projects by leaving it out in the open air, or it can be dried using a food dehydrator or a low-temperature oven.

• Oven-baked clay is a type of modeling clay that hardens and sets when exposed to heat in a conventional home oven. It’s a popular choice for crafting and sculpting as it allows artists to create durable and permanent clay creations without the need for specialized kilns.

10 Things to Make With Clay 

There are tons of possibilities! Unleash your creativity with a DIY project such as pottery like bowls and mugs to decorative sculptures, jewelry, planters, and unique home decor pieces. 

Here are some creative ideas:

1. Fine tune kids’ fine motor skills with a simple colorful, coiled rainbow snake pots. 
2. Design your own unique jewelry pieces such as polymer clay earrings, pendants, bracelets using clay. Experiment with different shapes, colors (like this rainbow necklace) and textures.
3. Make a trinket dish to store cute necklaces, bracelets and earrings. This DIY Tray also makes for fun gifts made with air-drying clay. Ring dishes make the perfect gift. 
4. This DIY Bottle Vase is a creative project for your home. Take upcycling one of those old glass bottles and turn it into an elegant vase. This decorative piece is perfect if you’re looking to make something that both adults AND teens can work on together!
5. Make a DIY Clay Wall Hanger for Air Plants using sculpey clay. Customize your mini clay pots with vibrant colors and unique shapes to complement your plant collection.
6. Check out this simple craft from A Beautiful Mess to make Clay Knobs in different sizes.
7. Learn How to Make a Clay Pot from Red Ted Art.
8. Set the mood with this easy step by step tutorial on how to make handmade clay candle holders. Experiment with textures and designs to create unique pieces that add ambiance to any space.
9. Turn your fridge into a canvas with personalized clay magnets. Shape them into fun symbols, initials, or miniature sculptures like clay alphabet magnets or fruit magnets for a touch of creativity in your kitchen.

Tips for Using Clay:

• Keep your hands and tools slightly damp to prevent the clay from sticking.
• Experiment with textures and patterns to add depth to your creations.
• Don’t rush – let your clay projects dry thoroughly before painting or sealing.
• Both air drying clay and polymer clay projects can both be painted with different colors using acrylic paint.
• To ensure your clay creations last longer, seal your finished projects with a clear varnish or glaze to protect them from wear and tear.

Craft Supplies Needed to Work with Clay:

There’s no need for a lot of expensive equipment, these versatile craft materials can be found right in your own kitchen or a local craft store. 

HelferX All-Purpose 17.6 Inch Beech Wood Non-Stick Rolling Pin – For Baking, Pizza, Pasta, Pie, Cookies, Pastry.Playdough Tools with 40 pcs Plastic Play Dough Cutters Animal Shapes, 3 pcs Basic Play Dough ToolsWilton Cookie Cutters, Alphabet, Numbers, and Holiday 101-Piece Set Dough Cutters, Perfect Size Cookie Cutters for BakingShuttle Art 82 Colors Polymer Clay Kit with 19 Clay Tools, 16 Kinds of Accessories, Non-Toxic, Non-Sticky, Ideal DIY Art Craft Gift for Kids Adultsifergoo Air Dry Clay, 36 Colors Magic Foam DIY Molding Clay for Slime add ins & Slime Supplies, Easy to use, Great Gift for KidsAmrules Clay Tools Kit, 27 PCS Pottery Tools, Practical Polymer Clay Sculpting Tools Kit, Air Dry Clay Tools Set for Adults, Pottery Craft, Dotting, Carving, Drawing, Molding, Modeling, ShapingOriginal Sculpey White, Non Toxic, Polymer clay, Oven Bake Clay, 3.75 pounds great for modeling, sculpting, holiday, DIY and school projects. Great for all skill levels

 

Making DIY Dryer Sheets are one of those simple little projects that make you wonder why you didn’t try them sooner!

Not only are they super easy to put together with just a few household ingredients, but they’re also a natural, affordable way to keep your laundry soft and smelling amazing.

Plus, you can completely customize the scent, which is way more fun than picking from the same old options at the store.

Whether you’re trying to cut back on chemicals, save a little money, or just love a good DIY, it’s totally worth it.

What is the best cloth for DIY dryer sheets?

100% cotton fabric — like old t-shirts, flannel sheets, or thin cotton towels. Cotton is breathable, absorbent, and durable, which makes it perfect for soaking up the vinegar and essential oils without falling apart or leaving residue on your clothes.

If you want something even softer, flannel is a great option too because it’s a little thicker and holds moisture well.

Just make sure to avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester — they don’t absorb liquids as well and can get weird in the high heat of the dryer.

How do I make homemade dryer sheets?

This project is way easier (and more fun) than you might think! Scroll down to the bottom for the full printable tutorial so you can get started!

You’ll just cut up some old cotton t-shirts or towels into squares, sew them together if you want a more finished look, and store them in a jar with a little vinegar and a few drops of your favorite essential oils.

You can mix up your scents! Try combining essential oils like lavender and lemon, or eucalyptus and peppermint for a fresh twist. You can even change scents based on the season!

Your fabric should be damp, not soaking wet. If it’s too wet, just wring it out slightly before tossing it in the dryer.

If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can stitch two fabric pieces together, turn them right side out, press them with an iron, and topstitch around the edges — it only takes about 30-45 minutes total.

Not up for sewing? You can skip it and just use pinking shears to keep the edges from fraying!

Once they’re ready, just twist out the extra moisture and toss one into the dryer with your next load for soft, fresh-smelling laundry.

After about 5 loads, you might need to re-dip your fabric squares in the vinegar/essential oil solution.

How to Use DIY Dryer Sheets:

• Pull one sheet from your container.
• Gently twist or squeeze out any extra moisture.
• Toss it directly into the dryer with your wet clothes.
• Dry as usual and enjoy soft, lightly scented laundry!

Brother CS5055 Computerized Sewing Machine, 60 Built-in Stitches, LCD Display, 7 Included Feet, WhiteSewing Thread kit 42 Color Set of Handy Polyester ThreadZenacolor 5 Dual-Tip Black Fabric Markers Permanent for Clothes – Fabric Paint Pens for Personalizing Shirts Bags Hats Canvas and TextilesFiskars Scissor, Original Orange Handle, Stainless Steel Blade, For Multi Surface, Paper and Fabric Shears, Ergonomic All Purpose Scissors for Office, Arts, and Crafts, 8 inchesSinger Pearlized Ball Head Straight Pins, Size 24, 120-Count3pcs Quick Turn Fabric Set, 3 Sizes Quick Turn Fabric Tube Turning Tool Multifunctional Fast Turn Tube Turners for Sewing Turning Tool for Crafts DIY Handmade Knitting AccessoriesPinking Shears for Fabric Cutting, Taotree 9.52 Pack Self Healing Sewing Mat, JIARON 12” x 18” Cutting Mats for Crafts, Double Sided 5 Layers Craft Cutting Mat for Sewing, Crafts, Scrapbooking Mat.Cliganic Organic Essential Oils Set (Top 5 – The Classics) – 100% Pure Natural – Aromatherapy, Candle Making – Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass & Orange (Packaging May Vary)