Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

DIY Pottery Tip: Make Little Glaze Sample Tags (and Save Yourself Some Regret Later!)

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If you’ve been working with pottery for a while, you’ll know the heartbreak of opening a kiln only to discover your dream glaze turned out… well, not so dreamy. Sometimes the bottle swatch just doesn’t tell the full story. That’s why I started a little tradition in my studio: every time I get a new glaze, I make a tiny clay tag and glaze it up.

It’s like a personal “glaze library” I can flip through at a glance. Trust me, it has saved me from more than a few disappointing projects. And between you and me—no, I don’t think I have too many glazes… just not enough shelves!

Here’s how you can make your own glaze samples:

What You’ll Need

  • Scrap clay (stoneware or whatever you usually work with) 
  • Small cookie cutters (hearts, circles, squares—whatever makes you happy) 
  • Needle tool or skewer for making holes 
  • Twine or wire for hanging 
  • Your chosen glazes 
  • A kiln for firing 

Step-by-Step: Glaze Sample Tags

Step 1: Roll Out Your Clay
 Use leftover bits from other projects. Roll them to about ¼ inch thickness—sturdy enough to survive handling, but not too chunky.

Step 2: Cut Shapes
 Cut out small, repeatable shapes. I love little hearts (see mine above!), but you can also use squares or rectangles for a more “library card” feel.

Step 3: Add Texture (Optional)
 Press lace, stamps, or natural textures into a few of your tags. Some glazes break beautifully over texture, so this gives you an extra peek at how the glaze behaves.

Step 4: Punch a Hole
 Use a needle tool or skewer to poke a hole near the top. This lets you hang them later on twine or wire for easy storage and viewing.

Step 5: Bisque Fire
 Dry thoroughly and bisque fire as usual.

Step 6: Glaze Time!
 Every time you open a fresh bottle of glaze, brush or dip one of your tags. I usually cover the front fully and leave a little bare clay at the back so I can see how the glaze interacts.

Step 7: Final Fire
 Fire according to your glaze’s instructions.

Display & Storage Ideas

  • On a ring: String them onto a keyring or binder ring so you can flip through like paint swatches. 
  • On twine: Hang them on a hook or pegboard in your studio—beautiful and useful. 
  • By color family: Organize your glazes into rainbow order for quick inspiration. 

Why This Works Wonders

  • You see exactly how the glaze fires on your clay body, in your kiln atmosphere. 
  • Texture vs. smooth results are visible side by side. 
  • No more guessing or relying on glossy catalogue photos. 

And honestly, making these little tags is kind of addictive. Each new glaze feels like adding a new charm to my pottery bracelet of colors.

 

Have you read?

DIY Doily Pinch Bowl Set with Matching Platter

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.