Wind Chimes from Air Dry Clay

There’s something magical about the gentle tinkling of wind chimes on a breezy day. For me, it always brings back memories of summer evenings in the backyard, a cup of tea in hand, while listening to that soft, calming music nature creates. And the best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune at the garden store—you can make your very own wind chimes from clay right at home.

Whether you use polymer clay, air-dry clay, or even ceramic clay if you have access to a kiln, this project is simple, customizable, and oh-so-rewarding.

I craft a lot – I’d even say it’s my day job, most days – and as a result I buy a lot of supplies to try out. A while ago I got little wind chime tubes from Munro Crafts along with my regular order of clay. And then I went looking to see what other clayers were making for wind chimes.

Ceramic clay makes great chimes since they clink nicely. You’ll want them to not have too much play on the strings they also chip nicely. This tutorial uses air drying clay for their pieces which is a simpler solution but might not work well for rainy areas since some air dry clays will dissolve again in water. The piece would be sweet inside by a window, though, or done with polymer clay.

If your air dry or polymer clay wind chime doesn’t clink enough, add some bells or little bits of metal.

17 Wind Chimes You Can Make With Seashells And Sea Glass [Home and Garden]

How to Make Handmade Pottery Ceramic Wind Chimes [Polymer Clay]

Tutorial: Ceramic Clay Mobiles

Next Polymer Clay Idea:

How to Make Handmade Pottery Ceramic Wind Chimes

Every good hostess knows a serving platter is the secret weapon at a party. It corrals snacks, makes everything look intentional, and saves you from running back and forth with little bowls. This DIY divided platter takes that idea one step further: each section is labeled with hand-drawn illustrations, making it both useful and irresistibly charming.

The original inspiration came from these tapas-style platters, but we’re creating an English version featuring everyday snacks and nibbles. It’s fun, it’s functional, and it makes even store-bought crackers look Pinterest-worthy.

Materials You’ll Need

White ceramic clay (or air-dry clay if you don’t have access to a kiln)
Rolling pin or slab roller
Oval platter base template (downloadable below)
Divider templates (downloadable below)
Scoring tool + slip for joining clay
Sponge and rib tool for smoothing
Cobalt blue underglaze pencil OR blue underglaze with a fine brush
Kiln + clear glaze (for ceramic clay) OR a food-safe sealant (for air-dry clay)

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Shape the Base

Roll a slab of clay about ½ inch thick. Place the oval platter template on top and cut out your base. Smooth edges with a damp sponge.

Step 2: Add Dividers

Use the divider templates to cut strips of clay. Attach them to the base by scoring and slipping. Smooth joins and curve the edges slightly for a handmade look.

Step 3: Refine

Let the platter dry until it’s leather-hard. At this stage, you can tidy the walls, soften corners, and make sure the surface is smooth.

Step 4: Draw Your Illustrations

Here’s where the personality shines. Using an underglaze pencil or fine brush, sketch quick doodles into each section. Keep them loose and playful, not perfect. Our platter has:

Cheese – wedges with holey details
Ham – loose stack of wavy slices
Anchovies – three slim fish outlines
Sardines – larger, striped fish drawings
Salami – one log plus a few round slices with dotted speckles
Olives – oval shapes with pits, some sliced open
Tomatoes – little cluster of round tomatoes tied together

Note: Drawings are slightly altered from the original for a fresh, unique design.

Step 5: Fire and Finish

For ceramic clay: bisque fire, add clear glaze, and glaze fire.
For air-dry clay: allow to dry fully, then paint with a clear food-safe sealant if you’ll use it for food. Otherwise, it makes a perfect decorative tray.