I have found both ceramic crafts and clay crafts to be especially calming projects for me to make. Like the kiddos, adults also enjoy the sensory play of kneading and working clay into beautiful pieces of artwork.
Here are some great ideas for clay and play dough crafts for kids when looking for activities for the younger set!
What can you make with clay?
There are many items that can be made out of clay. These are just some of the many ideas listed below on this page:
- Sculpted earrings
- Bookmarks
- Ring holders
- Ornaments
- Bowls
- Plants and succulents
- Key chains
- Sculpted necklaces
- And more!
Can you use clay straight from the ground?
The ideas listed on this page are made with purchased and refined clay. Although clay can be found in yards and other areas of the ground, this clay needs to be processed before use.
For those who are interested in making their own projects from clay they have found underfoot, it is possible to process the clay at home. Once the clay has been dug up, it will need to be sieved to remove any materials such as rocks, small twigs and roots.
There are two main ways to sieve. The clay can be crushed when it is dry and then sieved or dried, slaked down in water and then sieved. Both processes include using fine mesh to remove the impurities.
Once the clay has been sieved, it is brought back to a working consistency.
This can be a rewarding activity for those who want to make clay crafts from scratch. To make the crafts below quicker and easier, polymer or liquid polymer clay or air drying clay is used.
What can I make out of clay to sell?
Many of the projects below like ornaments, bookmarks, ring holders, necklaces and earrings can be made to sell at shops and fairs. One of my favorites is the air dried clay bowls from Craftsy Hacks.
These bowls have no resemblance to the rustic clay bowls that often come to mind when reading the words “clay bowls”. The bowls made from the technique in this article are simple and unique, yet very classy.
Scroll down for the step-by-step directions and instructional video to make the clay bowls.
Many more things to make from clay can be seen while scrolling down this page.
Grab your favorite clay and get crafting!
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Liquid polymer clay is an unexpectedly cool way to make a DIY bookmark!
Lovely Indeed
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This easy-to-follow DIY is on how to make a clay cactus ring holder.
The Spruce Crafts
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This blog post will show seven ways to make beautiful air dry clay Christmas tree ornaments.
Colorful Craft Corner
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Here is a full step-by-step tutorial on how to make air dry clay bowls.
Craftsy Hacks
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Make a cute little clay ring dish with hand painted accents
DIY Candy
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This is a step-by-step tutorial on how to make simple and cute clay rings.
Craftsy Hacks
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Get out your Sculpey clay and learn to make stud earrings in five different ways.
Brit + Co
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This Christmas craft is a fun way to make personalized tree ornaments for family members, friends or co-workers.
Craft Bits
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This tutorial shows you how to make your own fake succulents using Clay.
Craft Bits
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Here's how you can make a jewelry dish with oven baked clay.
Creative Green Living
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This tutorial shows you how to make a pair of polymer clay earrings using resin.
Craft Bits
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Create a stunning set of earrings with swirls of blue polymer clay and specks of gold foil using this free tutorial.
Artsy Fartsy Mama
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See how easy it is to make a monogrammed keychain with liquid polymer clay and this tutorial.
Lovely Indeet
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Make this sweet Nativity ornament out of clay this Christmas!
Big Family Blessings
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Make your own DIY Nativity scene for this Christmas with this festive Air Dry Clay Nativity Scene Craft.
Big Family Blessings
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With this tutorial, it just takes a few supplies and your pet's paw print to make a keepsake Christmas ornament.
Where The Smiles Have Been
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Learn how to make your very own unique polymer clay earrings with this step-by-step tutorial.
Craftsy Hacks
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Polymer clay earrings are fun, easy, and fast to make. Learn how to make them here.
Sarah Maker
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This clay craft tutorial is on how to create an origami ring holder.
DIY Candy
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Here is a fun beach inspired jewelry making project which used polymer clay beads with silicone molds.
Handmade in the Heartland
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Make an easy and fun necklace using polymer clay and this tutorial.
Craft Bits
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