30+ Air Dry Clay Ideas
/Have fun with these 30+ air-dry clay projects that are perfect for beginners and the more experienced crafter. From simple clay gift tags to clay planters and candle holders, there's something here for everyone.
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Best Air Dry Clay Ideas.
Today I'm sharing an amazing collection of air dry clay projects. Air dry clay is so much fun and simple to use. It's cheap to buy and both adult and kid-friendly.
I've made a lot of simple air dry clay projects over the years (these stamped air dry clay bowls are still my favourites) so you can guess how much I love it. It's the perfect material for creating lovely home decor pieces like trinket dishes or photo holders. In fact, if you want more air drying clay bowls make sure to check out this post (there are 25 of them!).
One of the best things about it is that it doesn't require baking, firing or a kiln (no high temperatures here). All you need to do is leave your finished project out to harden in the air and 48 hours later you'll have a spectacular piece you can decorate with acrylic paint and varnish.
Related: 25+ Air Dry Clay Pot Ideas
What is Air Dry Clay?
Air-dry clay is a wonderful alternative to traditional clay. It's lightweight, easy to use and can be rolled, stamped, coiled and shaped into anything you want.
If you're looking for simple kids crafts the whole family can make together air dry clay is the way to go. It’s great for people who want to give clay a try but don’t necessarily have the time or resources to go the traditional ceramics route.
The best part is as it doesn’t require firing in a kiln to harden it’s a fantastic material for beginners. You'll know your clay is dry as it turns a lighter colour. If you're using white clay it will turn from a pale grey colour to a slightly off-white colour.
Depending on the room temperature, humidity and thickness of the air dry clay can take anywhere from 24-72 hours to dry. If you have any problems make sure to read this post all about how long it takes air dry clay to dry.
For more tips make sure to check out my 10 Tips and Tricks For Working With Air Dry Clay or sign up below to get a FREE PDF sent straight to your inbox!
Air Dry Clay Pros and Cons.
As much as I love air dry clay there are a couple of downsides. The main problem is that it’s not waterproof or food-safe so anything made with air dry clay should be used for decorative purposes only. If you're interested I've written a post all about how to glaze or varnish air hardening clay that goes into more detail.
Another problem is that not all types of clay work as well as others. Depending on the type of clay you use some can be fragile and crumbly. I’ve put together a list of some of my tried and tested air dry clays below.
Supplies:
There are several different types of clay available. Nearly all of the projects below use either Crayola Air Dry Clay or my personal favourite DAS Air-Hardening Modeling Clay.
Here are three I recommend:
Crayola Air Dry Clay White / Crayola Air Dry Clay Terracotta
Das Air-Hardening Clay White / Das Air-Hardening Clay Terracotta / Das Air-Hardening Clay Stone
Jovi Premium Air Dry Clay Pack of 3, White, Grey & Terracotta
I prefer the white clay personally but a lot of these projects below use the terracotta one for a more natural clay colour.
And here are a couple of alternatives that I haven’t used personally but are popular and have good reviews.
You can use stamps or found objects from around the house to add texture, pattern or even words to your wet clay. Grab a cookie cutter from the kitchen cupboard and make cool geometric shapes or go with the handmade organic look and simply shape it with your hands.
To finish your piece add some essential oils like with the terracotta oil diffuser below or grab some acrylic craft paint and add your own unique design, polka dots anyone? If you're feeling brave and don't mind the mess you could even try using spray paint for an all-over even colour.
Want to know how to varnish air dry clay so it lasts for years? Check out my How To Glaze Air Dry Clay post. It’s packed full of tips and tricks.
Ideas For Clay Projects.
Keep scrolling for my favourite air dry clay projects. I’ve included some air dry terracotta clay ideas as well as white air dry clay. I think all the DIY projects in this list would make a cute gift for a friend.
Whether you want to make your cute pinch pots, clay leaf-shaped bowls, decorations or even your own earrings, there’s something here I’m certain you’ll love.
Geometric Clay Pencil Holder
Learn how you can make simple clay pencil holder for your home or office desk and display your rainbow pens in style.
DIY Air Dry Clay Bowls
Make your own beautiful stamped clay bowls.
Inexpensive Air Dry Clay Knobs
Learn how to craft an inexpensive air dry clay door knob that look and feel like the real deal, except are a fraction of the cost.
Air Dry Clay Faux Succulent
Make your own little faux succulent or air plant out of air dry clay, you don’t even need to water it!
Swan Clay Pot
It’s a mini swan pool float inspired vase (or planter or mini desk organizer). So many options for using this little guy!
DIY Rustic Clay Tags
Add a handmade touch to your gifts with a hand stamped clay gift tag.
DIY Clay Ring Holder
Keep your rings looking tidy and pretty with this DIY ring holder tutorial.
DIY Clay Egg Carton
Display your eggs in style with these minimal clay egg carton.
DIY Incense Holder
The perfect way to dress up your home this fall.
DIY Clay Pinch Pots
This is a great project for kids and adults to do together.
Colourful Clay Animal Heads
Create these whimsical colourful clay animal heads in no time at all to hang on your walls.
Clay Rainbow Decorations
A terracotta clay ornaments DIY to cute to pass up!
Faux Glazed Pot
Create an air dry clay plant pot that looks just like glazed ceramics.
Terracotta Rainbow Photo Holders
Display your favorite photos in a DIY clay rainbow photo holder.
Clay Mushroom Decorations
A unique decoration to hang on the tree.
3D Clay Letter Plant Pot
Turn a plain pot into a customized DIY 3D graphic planter.
Hanging Clay Planters
Learn how to make a clever clay planter you can hang.
Clay Christmas Decorations
A simple but effective decorations you can hang from the tree.
Yarn & Clay Wall Hangings
Add some colour to your home with these wool and clay decorations.
Simple Clay Vase
An easy vase you can pop over a glass.
Half Moon Clay Hangers
Use them to hang up your yarn wall hangings, weavings or macrame pieces.
DIY Clay Candle Holders
Make pretty stamped clay and copper pipe candle holders.
DIY Clay Napkin Rings
These fun personalised napkin rings are the perfect for any special occasion.
Palo Santo Clay Holder
Create these Palo Santo holders with built-in match strikers.
Clay Face Dish
An abstract face dish that’s too cool to cover.
Modern Succulent Planters
Use to store small items like pencils, craft supplies or even some faux succulents.
Terracotta Air Dry Clay Earrings
Make some stylish statement earrings that are truly unque.
Stamped Clay Pen Pots
Keep your pens safely in one place with these pretty pen holders.
Clay and Driftwood Spoons
Make a set of stylish driftwood handle spoons.
Clay Kotinos Resting Wreath
A pretty little decorative item for your coffee table.
Terracotta Clay Oil Diffuser
Make an elegant clay oil diffuser charm to fragrance your home, or use as an essential oil air freshener.
Watercolour Clay Christmas Decorations
Learn how to create decorations with a watercolour ceramic glaze effect.
DIY Mini Face Planters
These air dry clay mini face planters are so fun and easy to make.
Clay Garden Planters
Make some mexican inspired striped planters.
Flower Quote Clay Plaque
Create an adorable clay flower plaque.
DIY Rainbow Earrings
Sweet rainbow earrings to put a smile on your face.
DIY Clay & Rope Pot
You can never have enough pretty pots to fill with pretty things right?
Embossed Star Decorations
Make pretty clay star decorations with a textured embossed finished.
DIY: Clay Garden Markers
These make the perfect spring party favours—your guests will enjoy planting the seeds, marking them with the clay stake, and watching them grow.
DIY Clay Decanter
The only thing better than a super cute DIY Clay Decanter is one that you can make out of something you already have on your bar cart.
DIY Llama Vase
I’m not a sculptor and apparently llamas are a difficult animal to make, but hey, it’s still cute whether it looks like a llama or a bunny!
DIY Clay Cactus Candle Holders
How cute would they be all lined up in the centre of the table? Cactus themed dinner party anyone?!
DIY Clay Fish
As we get ready for back to school, they make a fun art project for kids to DIY as backpack tags or keychains for friends!
Turquoise-Blue Clay Tiles
The process is simple and at the same time fun.
What do you think? Are you tempted to give any of these clay projects a try? If you want to try your hand at some polymer clay crafts as well make sure to read this post. It’s got a mix of air dry clay crafts and colourful polymer clay crafts as well.
And if you’re looking for some more tips and tricks check out the posts below:
