Air dry clay is an accessible craft medium for anyone, no matter the level of skill! It’s an easy, budget-friendly hobby to pick up–you can make your own air dry clay recipe with just a couple ingredients, or get a bucket at your local store for around $10.
You don’t need a kiln or any special equipment, just your hands. On top of the satisfaction of pride in your creations, there is therapeutic value to working with clay!
As with any craft, air dry clay creations are more enjoyable to give away than to keep for yourself. You could make a jewelry holder for your mom or grandma, a match-and-candle holder to fuel your bff’s candle addiction, or a sloth planter for the pre-teen who loves animals. Get ready to dive in and get your hands dirty with these twenty air dry clay projects!
Three Styles of Vases
With this idea, you can upcycle old jars and cans by wrapping them in air dry clay! Fill these with faux flowers or pampas grass, and gift to a friend who loves boho home decor.
Clay Boho Rainbow Ornaments
Ornaments aren’t just for the holidays! These boho air dry clay rainbows would be easy for kids to help make. Surprise a friend or family member to help brighten up their home or work space.
Air Dry Clay Candle + Match Holder Strike Plate
For that friend who can’t go a day without burning a candle, a candle holder and match holder in one rivals a high end gift you would find on Etsy! It works as a match striker as well, making it a convenient gift she’ll love.
Taco Letter Holder
Talk about a fun gift for that one friend unabashedly loves tacos (and really, who among us isn’t that friend?). A taco catchall letter holder could be a housewarming gift, a first-day-on-the-new-job congrats gift, or even just for Taco Tuesday.
Tic-Tac-Frog
This kitschy frog tic-tac-toe game sculpted with air dry clay would be a great gift for kids and pre-teens, but also for the adult friend who’s into fairycore or kawaii-style mini characters!
DIY Paint Palette
Using air dry clay to craft paint palettes is a brilliant idea! The project requires minimal supplies. You don’t even need sealer–creator Brittni recommends clear nail polish to keep the palettes from staining after repeated use. Easy gift for the artist!
Pop Tart Magnets
Quirky food magnets are sure to bring a smile to the gift recipient every time they open the fridge. Although this might be one you choose to invite a friend to make together, as decorating them is half the fun!
Bug Repellent Bracelet
This bracelet is brilliant! It works as an essential oil diffuser, and creator Stephanie of Hello Glow shares her favorite bug-be-gone essential oil blend to keep your loved one free from annoying pests. Pair with your favorite essential oils for a great gift.
Rustic Speckled Mug
For the mug collector in your life, crafter Sarah behind Red Rocking Bird shares this rustic speckled mug. Her tips for adding texture to air dry clay using pepper, pebbles, acrylic paint, and even herbs are good to know too!
Hanging Terra Cotta Planters
When you gift these planters, no one will believe you made them from air dry clay! Terra cotta was Color of the Year in 2023, and the color is still widely popular in home decor. These hanging planters will delight lovers of many decor styles, from modern to boho to farmhouse.
Scandinavian Style Clay Candlesticks
Classy black candlestick holders are a fitting gift for the upcoming fall season! Add them to a fall-themed gift basket. You can also leave them the natural terra cotta color, or paint them a different color depending on the season.
Clay Coasters
Coasters are a simple hostess gift or housewarming gift, and also an easy piece to get used to working with clay! These abstract shapes are sure to please a fan of modern or boho home decor.
DIY 3D Graphic Planter
This clever idea takes an already made simple planter and makes it awesome with air dry clay letters! Imagine all the cheeky phrases you could use to customize it. You could use a similar process to customize a pre-made mug.
Herb Garden Markers
For anyone who loves to garden, or even someone who is just interested in getting started, make these herb markers. Make it a complete gift by pairing with potted basil or parsley.
Pressed Flower Ornaments
As with many hobbies, pressed flowers need a way to be displayed instead of being tucked away, and these ornaments do the trick. You could even use this craft to preserve flowers that have a personal meaning to the recipient, like flowers from a wedding or another special day.
Food Magnets
Who wouldn’t love to receive mini food magnets? These pizza, sushi, and fried egg in cast iron magnets are so delightful. You can take it from there, making whatever foods need to be immortalized in miniature to you. Give these to the cook or foodie!
Whimsical Sculptures
These whimsical sculptures are too cute! Mushrooms are fair game for a wide variety of styles, anywhere from cottagecore, to fairycore, or even farmhouse. You could even make these for someone who loves to garden, as mini outdoor ornaments.
Hanging Sloth Planter
Sloths are like unicorns and llamas…the mere thought of them can make anyone smile. It’s the perfect gift for a preteen or animal lover.
Terracotta Earrings Four Ways
Earrings are a must make with air dry clay! The natural, modern look and geometric and abstract shapes lend a high-end look to these earrings. See what other jewelry items you can make with polymer clay here!
Cactus Ring Holder
Jewelry displays and trays are a popular item to make with air dry clay. Try this cactus ring holder. We all need a place to display jewelry, so whether you gift it to your mom, friend, or sister, it’ll be a delight.
Air Plant Rainbow Vase
Tiny air plants look so cute in this clay rainbow-shaped vase! This would add such a sweet whimsical touch to any area of a home and is pretty simple to make with clay and some paint!
Fairy Cottage Clay Tray
Trays are always useful for little trinkets, but what’s even better is an adorable fairy tray complete with little mushrooms and flowers, finished with pastel paint and spotted mushroom tops.
Paint Dipped Heart Key Charm
A little keychain charm dipped in paint is a great little addition to a gift and can be totally customized. Maybe you could stamp initials into the surface or try different shapes.
Car Essential Oil Diffuser
A few drops of a favourite essential oil on this clay air freshener will make a car smell wonderful! It can be clipped onto a vent or hung from the rearview mirror.
Geometric Sun Catchers
These suncatchers will light up any space with colourful spots of light and can be created with just a few materials. Combine multiple strands in a row for a totally unique decoration.
No matter what you choose to make with air dry clay, anybody would appreciate the time and creativity that you put into making a unique gift. Now go grab some clay and start making!
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