35 Things To Make With Clay

Looking for something creative to do at home? This amazing list of air dry clay and polymer clay tutorials will inspire you to get crafting.

There are so many ways to be creative with clay. It can be used to sculpt pots, make colourful jewellery, rolled into beads or used to make home decor projects like candle holders or ring dishes.

Blend different coloured polymer clay together to create a marbled effect or add texture with tools and stamps.

Whether you want to make make your own earrings, plant pots or even agate effect coasters you’ll find something here I’m sure you’ll love.

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Clay Project Ideas.

Today I’m going to share thirty-five of my favourite things you can make at home with clay. No kids crafts here. These projects are all chic and cool and perfect for adults and teens. Sculpt magnets or crystals, shape into rainbows or carve into geometric ring holders.

One of my go-to craft supplies is air dry clay with polymer clay coming in a close second. It’s easy to mould, comes in a range of bright and vibrant colours and can be baked in the oven (no kiln needed).

Both polymer and air dry clay are great for making crafts at home for a variety of reasons. You don’t need a lot of expensive equipment to start. It’s relatively inexpensive, can be found in most craft supply stores and lasts a long time when finished.

All you need to get started is some clay, a few tools to roll and cut and if using polymer clay a regular home oven to bake the clay.

What is the difference between Air Dry Clay and Polymer Clay?

The two main types of clay used at home by crafters are air-dry clay and polymer clay.

Polymer Clay.

Polymer clay is a type is of polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that harden when baked in an oven. It comes in a huge variety of colours and finishes and is durable and water-resistant when hard.

Here are a few popular brands:

Fimo - comes in a wide range of colours and effects such as metallics, glitters, translucent and faux stone effects.

Sculpey - flexible and strong this is a great clay for mixing colours and making canes.

Kato - an artists quality clay it’s harder to condition than Sculpey but good for fine detail work and beads. It also needs to be baked at a higher temperature than other brands so this is something to take into consideration.

Air Dry Clay.

Air dry clay on the other hand is a mixture of paper fibres and glue. It dries and hardens when left out in the air so no oven is needed. It can be painted when dry but it’s not waterproof and does need to be sealed to finish.

Here are a few popular brands:

Das (the one I use) - comes in white, terracotta and a stone effect.
Crayola Air Dry Clay - dries whiter than the Das clay and also comes in a range of colours. This one can be bought in a large tub so good if you want to make clay crafts in bulk.
Sculpey - Lightweight, smooth and easy to use.

They’re all great options and I recommend experimenting with a few different types to find a favourite.

Easy Clay Ideas For Adults.

Clay is one of those materials that can be quite intimidating if you’ve never worked with it before. But the fantastic thing about each of these projects is that you don’t need to be an artist to be able to make them.

For the total beginner, I recommend starting with something simple like the DIY plant markers or monogrammed gift tags.

For anyone with more experience or who wants a challenge make sure to check the 3D crystal or the leather-effect Fimo baskets.

Tips and Tricks for Working With Air Dry Clay.

If you want some tips and tricks about getting started, don’t worry I’ve written a post just for you. You can find my ten tips and tricks for working with air dry clay here or sign up below to have the PDF sent straight to your email (don’t worry, it’s free!)

Each one of the thirty-five links below takes you to an absolutely brilliant clay craft tutorial. No matter your skill level I’m sure you’ll find one of these colourful clay craft that’s perfect for you.