Air Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments

Use little scraps of lace or other strongly texture material to impress your clay and then your favourite seasonal cutters to cut out a shape. Pierce with a straw to make a hanging hole and let dry. This project from BluKatKraft is a spin on a popular concept but it’s popular for a good reason: it makes great, simple ornaments with lots of options for variation. Paint your ornaments, add glaze, glitter or text. Sign and date the back to make a commemorative piece. Use these as gift tags or package toppers. Like many of the air dry projects this one works just fine with oven baked clay – simply replace the dry time with bake time and use a compatible spray glaze. I’ve had success with spray Varathane and PYMII.

Are you looking for a creative and unique way to spruce up your Christmas tree this year? Air dry clay Christmas ornaments are a great option! Not only are they easy to make and customize, but they look beautiful and elegant, too.

Plus, they’re much more affordable than traditional glass or plastic ornaments. All you need is some air dry clay, a rolling pin, and a few cookie cutters to get started. You can roll out the clay, cut out shapes with the cookie cutters, and let them air dry overnight.

Once they’re dry, you can paint them in any color or pattern you like. You can even make personalized ornaments with names or special messages written on them. And when you’re done, you can hang them on your tree for years to come. So if you’re looking for a unique and beautiful way to decorate your tree this year, look no further than air dry clay Christmas ornaments.

Looking for air-drying clay? We highly recommend Das Air dry clay, we have been using this product for over 30 years. Check out their Das White Air drying clay and their Terracotta Air drying clay version for a natural pottery feel. For larger crafts we recommend buying your air drying clay in bulk

There’s something so satisfying about creating a whole handmade set that feels like it belongs together. After experimenting with my grandmother’s doilies on flat slabs of clay, I wanted to see how they would look when pressed onto a curved form. That’s how this set of three doily pinch bowls was born—each one textured on the outside with lace, glazed in soft tones, and displayed together on a matching pink speckled doily platter.

It’s a beautiful way to combine sentimental textiles with modern pottery design. The finished set makes a charming serving arrangement for nibbles, dips, or trinkets, and it doubles as a decorative centerpiece when not in use.

Materials You’ll Need

White pottery clay (stoneware or porcelain)

Rolling pin

Crochet doily (preferably a smaller one for consistent texture)

Sponge and water

Small bowls or your hands (to form the pinch bowls)

Knife or clay cutter

Plastic wrap

Kiln access (or community pottery studio)

White glaze

Pink speckled glaze (or white glaze with pink oxide)

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Prepare the Clay

Cut your clay into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball about the size of a small orange.

Step 2: Form the Pinch Bowls

Using your thumbs, gently press into the center of each clay ball and pinch outward, rotating as you go, until you form small bowl shapes. Keep the walls fairly even, but don’t worry about perfection—pinch bowls are meant to have a rustic, organic charm.

Step 3: Press the Doily Texture

Drape a crochet doily around the outside of each bowl. Gently press it into the surface with your fingers or a rolling pin. Carefully peel it back to reveal the lace impression. Each bowl will carry the delicate detail of the doily, almost like a frozen textile pattern.

Step 4: Refine the Shape

Smooth the rims with a damp sponge, rounding off any sharp edges. Leave the outside textured, but clean up the insides of the bowls so they’re smooth for glazing.

Step 5: Dry and Fire

Let the bowls dry slowly until bone dry. Bisque fire them with the platter if you’re making the full set together.

Step 6: Glaze and Finish

For a cohesive look, glaze the pinch bowls in soft white or cream, allowing the doily texture to stand out. Place them on the matching pink speckled doily platter (created using the earlier technique) for a complete serving set.

Styling Ideas

Serving Set: Use the three bowls for nuts, olives, and dips when entertaining.

Jewelry Dishes: Perfect for holding rings, bracelets, and earrings on your dresser.

Decorative Accent: Place them on the platter as a centerpiece with seasonal décor inside (dried flowers, crystals, or potpourri).

Gift Idea: Wrap the full set as a handmade, one-of-a-kind present for weddings or housewarmings.

Why I Love This Project

These bowls carry a story. The lace impressions remind me of my grandmother’s hand-crocheted doilies, yet the final design feels fresh and modern. Displayed together on the platter, they become more than functional—they’re a handmade heirloom set that blends memory with everyday beauty.

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