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.

 

Next Polymer Clay Idea:

Have you read?

How To Make A Milk Mache Molding Compound

There are some craft projects that feel like they belong on a rainy afternoon kitchen table, and this Milk Mache Molding Compound is exactly one of them. It is part craft, part science experiment, and part “wait… did we just turn milk into something solid?”

This clever little project from CraftBits shows you how to make a simple homemade molding compound using just milk and vinegar. The idea is wonderfully old-school: when the vinegar reacts with the milk, it separates into curds and liquid, leaving you with a soft mixture that can be pressed, shaped, and dried into a hard, stone-like material.

It’s a lovely one to try with kids, especially if you enjoy hands-on STEM-style crafts that do not require a trolley full of supplies. You can use the finished compound to make small charms, beads, ornaments, rustic tags, or simple molded shapes. Just keep the pieces small and thin, as this is not really the sort of compound you would use for large sculptures or anything that needs to be perfectly smooth.

What I like most about this project is how accessible it is. Most of us already have milk, vinegar, a bowl, and paper towel in the kitchen, which makes it a brilliant last-minute craft activity. It also has that slightly magical quality children love — one minute it is liquid, the next it is turning into a moldable material.

A couple of tips before you try it: use whole milk if you can, as it tends to give a better result than skim or semi-skimmed milk. White vinegar is also the best choice, as darker vinegars may affect the colour and texture. And don’t rush the draining stage. If the mixture is too wet, it will be soggy and hard to shape; if it is too dry, it may crumble.

This would be a fun companion activity for our other kids craft ideas, especially if you are looking for something simple, inexpensive, and a little bit educational. It also fits nicely with home crafts and handmade gift embellishments if you want to turn your dried shapes into tags or decorations.

Would I call this a polished, professional clay substitute? No. Would I call it a wonderfully curious, messy, memorable craft experiment? Absolutely.

If you enjoy homemade craft supplies, kitchen-table experiments, or easy projects that make children ask “how did that happen?”, this Milk Mache Molding Compound is well worth a try.

You can find the full project instructions here: Milk Mache Molding Compound