Whether you're a beginner crafter or have been working on all kinds of creative projects for several years, polymer clay can help you bring your creative visions to life. As one of the most versatile mediums, it has grown in popularity for crafters of all skill levels, allowing you to let your imagination run wild creating endless projects.
If your hobbies or interests involve home decor and gardening, you can use polymer clay to create mini pots for your favorite houseplants. No matter your home decor style or preferences, these adorable little pots will add beauty and charm to your space.
Benefits of Crafting With Polymer Clay
With other types of clay, you may run into different issues while crafting. Some clays tend to dry out or even crack, shatter or break easily. Because polymer clay is made out of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) base, it's pliable, easy to work with and durable. It starts off soft, making it easy for you to mold it into different pot sizes and shapes. Then, once you bake it, your finished pot will be strong and resistant to chips and breaks.
Whether you're going for a fun, colorful design or something more subdued and understated, it's easy to create small clay pots for plants from polymer clay. There are many different types, colors and finishes available to help bring your design to life:
- Original Sculpey®: Designed to be permanently flexible until baked while offering the ability to carve, drill, sand, re-bake, glaze and paint after baking.
- Sculpey Premo™: Available in over 60 colors and can hold fine details and crisp lines, making it suitable for professional and frequent crafters.
- Super Sculpey®: Comes in soft, neutral shades with three different levels of firmness.
- Sculpey Soufflé™: Flexible yet able to hold detail, which makes it ideal for more advanced sculpting techniques.
- Sculpey III®: Capable of maintaining detailing, tooling and texture on pots while still being easy to use.
- Sculpey Bake Shop®: Available in many bright, fun colors and designed to erase, glow and bend like rubber, making it perfect for young crafters.
How to Make Mini Clay Pots Out of Polymer Clay
If you're interested in creating some DIY small clay plant pots, you'll want a few basic tools on hand:
- Oven
- Oven thermometer
- Baking sheets
- Craft knife
- Ruler
- Basic shape cutter sets
- Acrylic roller
You'll most likely already have many of these items — any standard kitchen oven, oven thermometer and baking sheets will work for baking any of your finished clay creations. You can also get creative and use any basic cutter sets or rubber stamps to add some designs and texture to your pots. Especially if you're new to working with polymer clay, you'll find it helpful to dust your stamps with some talcum powder to help release the clay without ruining the design.
Depending on the type or design of pot you'd like to create, you may need additional tools, such as:
- Modeling utensils
- Texture wheels
- Detail tools
- Silk screens
- Clay blades
- Molds
- Rollers
- Clay conditioning machines
- Texture sheets
- Clay extruders
These items will help you create more refined and precise clay pots and designs. Rollers allow you to roll out your polymer clay into flat, thin layers that you can easily work with, while clay blades can be used to cut, shape and indent the clay. Meanwhile, you can use molds to achieve precise shapes. Tools like texturing sheets will let you form seamless patterns while hiding any imperfections in your clay pot creation.
Instructions
Once you've gathered the necessary clay and materials for your mini clay plant pots, you can start creating. Each type of clay will have different requirements, so make sure you carefully follow all of the package's directions. Here's how to get started:
- Preheat your oven to the specific baking temperature on the package.
- Use an oven thermometer to double-check that your oven temperature is accurate and stays at the desired baking temperature.
- Unwrap and knead your clay until it is soft and smooth, and then shape and add details as desired.
- Open a window or use the fan above your stove to create ventilation while your clay pot design is baking.
- Bake your creation on an oven-safe glass or metal surface, keeping it within the listed baking temperature and time.
- Remove your creation once it's finished baking, and allow it to fully cool.
- Create a workspace on a flat surface that has plenty of natural light and room for all of your equipment and tools.
- Sand, buff, paint and glaze your design.
Tips for Making Mini Clay Pots Out of Polymer Clay
No matter what kind of mini clay pot design you have in mind, a few best practices will help ensure a successful project:
- Make sure your hands are clean to protect the clay and to avoid transferring colors from one clay to another.
- Protect your surface area with wax paper, disposable foil, a metal baking sheet or the Sculpey Tools™ Oven-Safe Work Mat so the clay doesn't affect the finish.
- Stretch out and condition your clay to make it more flexible and easier to mold.
- Follow the recommended temperature and baking time on the clay package.
- Only bake or cure your clay on an oven-proof surface.
- Store your leftover polymer clay in a cool, dry area, or use a container or bag made of polypropylene plastic. This helps prevent the clay from drying out or collecting dust.
DIY Inspiration From Sculpey
There are various Sculpey mini clay pot tutorials and inspirational photos to help get you started. Here are two examples:
Sculpey III® Mini Succulent Pinch Pots
If you have small succulents or air plants, Sculpey III® Mini Succulent Pinch Pots are perfect. These small pots only take about 45 minutes to create and can be made in your favorite color scheme to coordinate with your decor.
Sculpey Model Air® Clay Terra Cotta Giraffe Planter
To add a little fun and whimsy to your houseplant display, consider crafting your own Sculpey Model Air® Clay Terra Cotta Giraffe Planter. This eye-catching design also makes the perfect gift for both children and adults.
Ready to Create Your Own DIY Polymer Clay Succulent Plant Pot?
At Sculpey, we supply the tools, you supply the CREATIVITY! Discover all kinds of clay options and mini polymer clay plant pot tutorials to help you get started. Whether you want to create a more practical or subdued design for your succulents, or you desire a more elaborate houseplant display, polymer clay makes it easy to achieve your creative vision.
Browse our collection of polymer clays in various color palettes to start creating your own unique clay pot designs today.
