These easy DIY polymer clay gifts are something that anyone can make. You need very few materials to get you started.
Today I am going to show you how to make personalized polymer clay gifts. Polymer clay is a durable, water-resistant plastic after it bakes.
Polymer clay sells for around $3 for a small block, which goes a long way depending upon the size of your pieces. It comes in many different colors, but for starting out you may want to use white.
You can always paint it after it bakes to get the color you want. I like to use acrylic paint because it dries quicker than oil paint and it doesn't have as strong of an odor.
I started using polymer clay almost twenty years ago. Back then I made free-handed sculpted ornaments and jewelry.
My first pieces were very intricate (photos ↑ above and below ↓), but today I am going to show you how to make some very basic pieces to get you started.
You do not need to buy a lot of materials for starting out. In fact, I would go with as little as you can get by with. That way, you can see if you like using this medium, and you can buy more tools later.
What You Will Need
- Polymer clay
- I used Sculpey Premo and Sculpey Soufflé - Work surface - ceramic tile, an acrylic board, a pane of glass, an old cutting board - I used a cutting board with parchment on top (Not a surface you care about because polymer can damage / stain surfaces.)
- Rolling tool: acrylic brayer, rolling pin, or glass bottle (anything that will help you roll the clay into a flat sheet)
- Ruler
- Letter or word stamps
- Beads, shells, toothbrush or other texturing tools
- X-acto or another craft knife
- Cookie cutters or found objects of the shape you want
- Needle tool or toothpicks
- Clay shaper set (optional)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Zip lock bags - to store leftover clay
- Oven or toaster oven
- Oven thermometer (optional)
- Acrylic paint
- Paint brush
- Old rag
- Cotton swabs
- String, bead cord, stainless steel bead stringing wire, or wire
- Beads (optional)
- I used Sculpey Premo and Sculpey Soufflé
or another craft knife
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Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to the temperature that the polymer clay manufacturer recommends on the package.
Step 2: Wash your hands well. The clay will pick up dirt, debris, fiber, or anything else you may have on your hands.
Step 3: Knead the clay in your hands to soften it up.
Step 4: Flatten the clay on a work surface and roll it out to about ⅛ - ¼"*. I made mine ⅛". The thicker it is, the stronger it will be. I was not concerned with it being super sturdy, so I made mine thin.
Step 5: Using letter stamps, stamp the words you want in your clay.
Step 6: Add a design with beads, shells or other texturing tools, if you wish.
Step 7: Using a cookie cutter or found object, cut out your shape.
Step 8: Pierce a hole for hanging with a needle tool or toothpick.
Step 9: Bake according to the manufacturer's directions*. Let cool completely.
Step 10: Paint in the design area, making sure to get paint into the letters.
Step 11: Using cotton swabs or a wet rag, wipe paint off the top surface, so that paint is left only in the design area. Let dry.
Step 12: Add string or wire and beads, if desired.
Gift Ideas
- Jewelry
- Ornaments
- Gift tags
- Wine charms
- Bookmarkers
- Garden markers
Other DIY
If you tried making these Polymer Clay Ornaments or any recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
How to Make Personalized Polymer Clay Gifts
Materials
- Polymer clay I used Sculpey Premo and Sculpey Soufflé
- Work surface ceramic tile, an acrylic board, a pane of glass, an old cutting board
- Rolling tool acrylic brayer, rolling pin, or glass bottle
- Ruler
- Letter or word stamps
- Beads, shells, toothbrush or other texturing tools
- X-acto or another craft knife
- Cookie cutters or found objects of the shape you want
- Needle tool or toothpicks
- Clay shaper set (optional)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Zip lock bags - to store leftover clay
- Oven or toaster oven
- Oven thermometer (optional)
- Acrylic paint
- Paint brush
- Old rag
- Cotton swabs
- String, bead cord, stainless steel bead stringing wire, or wire
- Beads (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to the temperature that the polymer clay manufacturer recommends on the package.
- Wash your hands well. The clay will pick up dirt, debris, fiber, or anything else you may have on your hands.
- Knead the clay in your hands to soften it up.
- Flatten the clay on a work surface and roll it out to about ⅛ - ¼"*. I made mine ⅛". The thicker it is, the stronger it will be. I was not concerned with it being super sturdy, so I made mine thin.
- Using letter stamps, stamp the words you want in your clay.
- Add a design with beads, shells or other texturing tools, if you wish.
- Using a cookie cutter or found object, cut out your shape.
- Pierce a hole for hanging with a needle tool or toothpick.
- Bake according to the manufacturer's directions*. Let cool completely.
- Paint in the design area, making sure to get paint into the letters.
- Using cotton swabs or a wet rag, wipe paint off the top surface, so that paint is left only in the design area. Let dry.
- Add string or wire and beads, if desired.
Deboshree Dutta says
These are AMAZING! You are S-O talented!!! 🙂
Willow Moon says
Thanks, you are so kind!
The Southern Thing says
This is so neat! What a special personalized gift!
Jae | Dreaming of Leaving says
Love the creativity, these are super cute! xo
Willow Moon says
Thanks Jae!
Tiffany Cardenas says
I love this so much! What a great way to give a personalized gift. I would love to be the recipient of one :).
Willow Moon says
Thanks Tiffany! You could always give yourself one!
Melissa says
Lovely! This looks like a great project for Christmas.
Mistle says
Love these!!! How fun and creative! I have not made a home made ornament since I was young.
Willow Moon says
Thanks! They are fun! I love to give handmade gifts and these are perfect for that.
Emily Recipes to Nourish says
This is so cool! Such a great idea and so fun! I've never made anything like this before.
Willow Moon says
Thanks Emily! It is a fun medium to work with, and inexpensive too!
Mary says
I forgot how much I love working with Polymer Clay until I read your post. Thanks for the reminder. Your ornament is lovely!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Mary! I haven't played around with it until recently myself. I realized I was more patient with it in the past, as you can see from the more detailed ornaments, but I still enjoyed it and have been brainstorming other projects to do with it.
Maggie says
These are awesome! Such a good idea, and I'm going to steal it and do this craft with my boys. Thanks!
Willow Moon says
Great! I hope all of you have fun with it!