Polymer clay is a fun material for creating gifts and has grown in popularity among hobbyists, manufacturers, artists and students. You can use the clay to create versatile gifts, from planters to jewelry, and once cured, polymer clay products become highly durable.
Putting effort into a customized gift can make the recipient's day and encourage them to treasure it. Let's explore 13 DIY clay projects to give as gifts this year.
1. Jewelry Dish
A jewelry dish or tray is a classic DIY clay gift idea perfect for those who love jewelry. Since these items help decorate a space, choose colors that complement your recipient's home. For example, if they decorate with neutral tones like beige and gray, you can make your jewelry dish match. If your loved one's home features an explosion of color, you can create a checkerboard-patterned jewelry dish.
When it comes to design, you have lots of options. For example, you could make a rectangular tray, a classic bowl-shaped dish, a flower-shaped dish, an upturned heart bowl or a mermaid trinket dish.
2. Clay Coasters
There are many types of creative clay coasters you can make:
- Quartz coasters: These coasters mimic the look of agate and are absolutely stunning.
- Sparkling coasters: Decorations like sequins, confetti and glitter create dazzling coaster sets.
- Woven coasters: These coasters are delicate and intricate, perfect for displaying on a coffee table.
- Galaxy coasters: Create whimsical galaxy coasters for the astrology lover in your life.
- Intentionally shaped coasters: Create pastel flower-shaped coasters or monochrome rainbow-shaped coasters.
3. Flower Vase
You can also use clay to decorate a flower vase. Recycle an old glass jar to create this colorful mosaic vase, or add detailed flower embellishments to a stunning trumpet vase. You can even use polymer clay to mimic the look of hammered copper. Whatever decor style resonates with your gift recipient, there's sure to be a clay flower vase project to fit.
4. Polymer Clay Earrings
Earrings are one of the most creative DIY polymer clay gift ideas you can give, and you have free reign to be as creative as you want! For example, you might create long chandelier earrings for your friends who love keeping with trends or cat-shaped studs for the pet lover in your life. We also love these twisted ring earrings!
5. Bangle Bracelet
Another fun gift idea is a clay bangle bracelet. These bracelets use a soda can for the mold, and you can add glitter to make them stand out. You can also decorate the bracelet with flower- or heart-shaped clay pieces and gold accents to make it even cooler. This gift is perfect if you have young relatives!
6. Planter
Create a cute planter for your loved one who loves to show off their green thumb. In addition to being a pretty gift, it also offers a useful way to use up leftover boxes and cans. This footed planter box, for example, is vibrant and colorful. You can also create an animal-shaped planter, such as this faux stone hedgehog planter. Before gifting the planter, fill it with flowers, plants and soil.
7. Polymer Clay Decorations
Clay creations make stunning ornaments and displays on desks, walls or dressers. For example, you can make clay flowers and turn them into magnets or add them to picture frames. If you're making a gift for someone younger, you may even leave the flowers unpainted so they can bring them to life themselves and display them in their room.
Other decor ideas include little gnomes, turtles or cactus ornaments. Make sure to use fun colors to make them stand out!
8. Clay-Covered Pens
You can also give clay-covered pens as gifts. These jelly roll pens have a fun spiral design, and this marbled slab pen project is easy and allows for lots of customization. More ideas include decorating pens with rainbows, flowers, smiley faces or favorite foods.
9. Clay Crochet Hooks
Is your DIY clay gift for a fellow crafter or someone who enjoys crocheting? Use polymer clay to upgrade their crochet hook handles! This can include using pastel polymer clay to create designs like soft clouds, rainbows or hearts. You can also paint the clay handles or use small stickers to decorate them.
10. Clay Keychain
A keychain is another classic gift that can be extra special when you've made it yourself. You can form the recipient's favorite food with clay, whether they love donuts, cake, strawberries, tacos or burgers. Try adding a cute face to give the gift more personality! You can also customize a keychain with their initial or their zodiac sign.
11. Phone Holder
If your gift recipient is always learning new things on YouTube or catching up on the latest Netflix show, make them a textured phone holder. You can use their favorite colors, add glitter and complete the whole project in an afternoon.
12. Vegetable Garden Markers
Does the person you're gifting enjoy gardening? Try making them vegetable garden markers so that they're always reminded of you while they're gardening. If they've got a vegetable garden, for example, you can create little clay vegetables with eyes and smiles, such as carrots, peppers, peas, broccoli, chilies and tomatoes. Paint them and stick them onto marker sticks. This will definitely become a gift they'll treasure.
13. Decorative Magnets
If your friend or family member is always sticking magnets and photos to the fridge, make them some clay magnets as a gift. You can craft miniature fruits like watermelons, pineapples, blueberries, bananas and lemon or orange slices. You can also create an iridescent heart magnet. For an extra special touch for a family member or friend with children, use their child's artwork to create permanent adorable magnets.
Use Quality Clay From Sculpey
Are you looking to create high-quality DIY clay gifts for your friends or family members? Sculpey offers a full line of polymer clay products, including tools and accessories. Whether you want a polymer clay earrings set bundle, jewelry-making kits, pastel color clay packs or vibrant multipacks, we have a wide range to choose from to help you bring your vision to life.
We have various types of polymer clay that suit lots of different products. This allows you to mold, carve, bake and paint nearly anything. We also provide valuable tools like texture sheets, geometric metal cutters, work mats, starter kits and more! To get started on your DIY clay gift ideas, browse our range of clay products or view our clay project suggestions for a quick view of the needed products.
