DIY Air Dry Clay Coasters
/Shape, stamp, paint and customise your own Air Dry Clay Coasters to add a touch of handmade charm to your home decor.
They’re the perfect project to protect your table and add a dash of personality to a room. Give them as gifts to your loved ones or keep them for yourself!
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DIY Clay Coasters.
Today I wanted to share this great air dry clay project for making your own stamped clay coasters. These cute coasters are not only practical but also make fantastic personalised gifts or charming additions to your home decor.
Have you ever made anything out of air dry clay before? It’s fast becoming one of my favourite craft materials to work with.
One of the reasons I love it so much is how convenient it is to use. Since it doesn't require baking, you can skip the whole oven ordeal and let your creations dry naturally.
This means no special equipment or high temperatures to worry about. Just mould, stamp and let the magic happen!
What Is Air Dry Clay?
Air dry clay is a versatile crafting material that, as the name suggests, dries on its own when exposed to the air. Unlike traditional clay which requires firing in a kiln, air dry clay simplifies the process and makes it accessible to crafters of all levels.
It's a lightweight and pliable material that can be easily molded into various shapes, making it an excellent choice for creating coasters.
Another fantastic aspect of air dry clay is its affordability. You can find it in most craft stores or online at budget-friendly prices. It's a fantastic cost-effective way to indulge your crafting passion and create beautiful pieces without breaking the bank.
What makes air dry clay particularly suitable for making coasters is its ability to harden and retain its shape once dry. This means your coasters will have a sturdy and durable foundation, ready to withstand the weight of your favourite hot or cold drinks.
Plus, air dry clay can be painted, varnished, or sealed to protect it from moisture and make it even more resistant to wear and tear.
Supplies:
Air Dry Clay - You can find this in most craft stores or online.
My favourites are the Das Air Dry Clay. It's available in most craft stores. It comes in white and terracotta. And the Crayola Air Dry Clay. It comes in a large 5 lbs resealable tub.
Acrylic Rolling Pin - This will help you flatten the clay evenly and ensure a smooth surface for your coasters.
Cookie Cutters or an existing coaster - You can get creative with the shapes and sizes to suit your style.
Greaseproof or Wax paper - This will prevent the clay from sticking to your work surface and make cleanup a breeze.
Acrylic Paints - Choose your favourite colours to add some personality to your coasters.
Paintbrushes.
Felt - You can read all about how to choose the best kind of felt for your craft projects here.
Fine Sandpaper.
Clear Varnish / Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge - This will protect your coasters from moisture and give them a glossy finish.
How to Make Coasters Using Air Dry Clay.
1. Start by working some of the air dry clay into a ball and rolling it out to around 25mm thick.
Remember, the thicker the clay the longer it takes to dry. It needs to be thick enough to support a mug or glass without cracking but thin enough to be able to dry. I used an existing coaster as a guide.
2. Take your stamps and press firmly onto the clay to form your design.
3. Use an existing coaster as a template (or any other shape you want) and cut around it with your knife.
Make sure not to press too hard as you don't want to flatten out your design or get the clay stuck to the table.
4. Remove the surrounding clay before carefully lifting your new coaster away and leaving it to dry.
As the air dry clay was hardening I noticed the edges began to curl. To make sure your coasters dry as flat as possible I recommend turning them over a few times as they dry. Mine took nearly 72 hours.
If you have any problems make sure to read this post called How Long Does Air Dry Clay Take To Dry?
5. When your coasters are completely dry they will go from a pale grey colour to white. Sand down any rough edges using some sandpaper.
6. Paint your coasters.
I used a mix of fluorescent pink and white acrylic, and Prussian blue with white and pale gold acrylic for the edges.
7. When dry apply a coat of mod podge or acrylic varnish to seal the coaster.
Not sure which one to choose check out this post on How To Varnish/Glaze Air Dry Clay.
8. Next you need to make the felt base for your coasters. You want it to be slightly smaller than the bottom of your coasters.
Trace around your template onto the felt, lay it on top of your coaster and trim away any excess.
9. Apply a layer of glue to both the felt and the clay coaster, press firmly and leave to dry.
10. Make yourself a drink and enjoy your lovely handmade coasters.
I'm pretty pleased with how these coasters turned out. I know from reading similar tutorials using mod podge and ceramic tiles that some people have had problems with their coasters sticking together when they get something spilt on them.
I've only had cold drinks (nothing hot yet) and slightly wet glasses on them and so far so good.
