Polymer Clay Incense Holders

Sometimes clay is particularly awesome because it lets you rapidly prototype clever ideas – in this case, perfectly good simple incense holders, from Molly of Almost Makes Perfect. Add a little creative paint for visual flair and voila! I’ve done similar to make small candle or photo holders – grabbed a nub of clay, shaped, and baked.

Polymer clay is particularly awesome for this because there’s no shrinkage as it cures. You can use your incense stick or candle to make your hole in the holder and it won’t alter while the piece cures. Doing the calculations for the same process with ceramic clay made my head hurt. And even the holders I made in the same batch didn’t fire to precisely the same diameter… which I fully admit was my newbie efforts showing.

Bread Dough Jewellery is one of those wonderfully old-school craft ideas that feels a little unusual at first, but quickly becomes intriguing. Instead of using traditional clay or polymer clay, this project turns simple white bread and glue into a mouldable dough that can be shaped, dried, painted, and transformed into decorative jewellery pieces.

What makes this project interesting is how budget-friendly and experimental it is. The supplies are basic, the process is hands-on, and the finished pieces can be painted with antique gold, metallic finishes, or bright colours to create pendants, charms, brooch-style pieces, or embellishments for mixed-media crafts.

This is a great project for crafters who enjoy trying unusual homemade modelling compounds. The dough is shaped by hand, rolled into spirals, cut into circles, and left to air dry, making it feel similar to working with air-dry clay. Once dry, the pieces can shrink slightly, which actually adds to the handmade charm and gives each piece a unique look.

One thing worth noting is that the original tutorial includes Dettol as part of the mixture, likely as a preservative. Some readers may prefer to skip that ingredient or research safer alternatives, especially if making this with children or creating jewellery that will sit against the skin. For decorative pieces, ornaments, fridge magnets, gift tags, or embellishments, this technique has plenty of creative possibilities.

This project would suit patient crafters who enjoy experimenting rather than those looking for instant results. The drying time can take anywhere from one to three days, so it is not a quick afternoon craft, but the process itself is simple and satisfying.

Bread Dough Jewellery is a quirky, creative, and low-cost craft idea that gives new life to basic pantry ingredients. It is especially appealing if you love handmade jewellery with texture, rustic charm, and a little vintage craft nostalgia.

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