20 Easy Small Clay Projects You Can Make in a Weekend

Clay crafting offers a wonderfully tactile creative outlet that doesn’t require extensive equipment or artistic training.

The simple act of molding clay with your hands can be both meditative and deeply satisfying.

With air-dry and polymer clay readily available at craft stores, you can create beautiful, functional pieces without needing a kiln.

These materials make clay art accessible to crafters of all experience levels.

Ready to get your hands dirty?

These 20 small clay projects provide perfect starting points for beginners while offering enough creative possibilities to engage more experienced crafters.

1: Minimalist Ring Dish

Create a shallow dish perfect for storing rings and small jewelry pieces.

Form a small ball of clay and press your thumb into the center, gradually widening to create the dish shape.

Add personal touches by pressing leaf shapes, lace patterns, or geometric designs into the clay.

Paint the finished piece in solid colors or add metallic accents for extra elegance.

This functional item makes a perfect housewarming or birthday gift while providing practical everyday use at your bedside or bathroom sink.

2: Marbled Clay Coasters

Roll clay into thin, uniform discs using a rolling pin and circular cookie cutter.

Create stunning marble effects by gently twisting together clay in complementary colors before rolling.

Smooth the edges with your finger or a clay tool for a professional finish. Add a thin layer of sealant after the clay has dried to make the coasters water-resistant.

These practical pieces protect your furniture while adding artistic flair to your coffee table or dining space – and they make excellent handmade gifts.

3: Personalized Keychains

Roll small pieces of clay into your desired shapes – circles, rectangles, or custom silhouettes.

Press stamps, leaves, or written words into the surface to create personalized designs.

Poke a small hole near the top before drying for attaching key rings later. Paint or seal with gloss for durability once completely dry.

These portable mini-masterpieces make perfect personalized gifts or distinctive accessories for your own keys or bag.

4: Small Succulent Planters

Form clay around the bottom of a small cup or container to create a mini planter shape.

Design with ridges, patterns, or smooth sides depending on your aesthetic preference.

Remove the form carefully and allow to dry completely. Add drainage holes in the bottom and seal the interior with waterproof sealant if using air-dry clay.

These charming planters add character to windowsills and desks while showcasing your favorite tiny plants in style.

5: Decorative Wall Hanging

Roll clay into small geometric or organic shapes, creating patterns like half-moons, circles, or triangles. Poke holes near the top of each piece before drying.

Once dry, paint in coordinating colors that complement your home decor.

Connect the pieces with string, creating a vertical arrangement that adds texture to your wall.

This bohemian-inspired decoration adds three-dimensional interest to any room while showcasing your personal design sensibility.

6: Clay Beaded Bracelet

Roll small, uniform clay balls using your fingers or a bead roller tool. Pierce each bead with a toothpick or skewer to create holes for stringing.

Paint the dried beads in coordinating colors or patterns using acrylic paint and a fine brush.

String onto elastic cord for a custom bracelet that perfectly fits your wrist.

This wearable art project allows endless customization possibilities while teaching basic clay forming and finishing techniques.

7: Stamped Gift Tags

Roll clay into small tag shapes approximately 1/8 inch thick. Press rubber stamps, leaves, or texture tools into the surface to create distinctive patterns.

Poke a hole near the top for ribbon before drying. Paint or leave natural depending on your preference for rustic or colorful aesthetics.

These personalized tags elevate any gift presentation while providing a keepsake that recipients can repurpose as ornaments or decorations.

8: Faux Ceramic Vase

Transform a glass jar into a textured clay vase by applying a thin layer of clay to the exterior. Create texture using tools, your fingers, or pressing patterns into the surface.

Leave openings to see through to the glass in creative patterns if desired. Paint with ceramic-look finishes like matte white or terracotta once dry.

This upcycling project gives new life to ordinary containers while creating a designer-look piece for displaying flowers or branches.

9: Geometric Earrings

Create small matching shapes from clay using cookie cutters or hand-cutting with a craft knife. Ensure pairs match by cutting them together before separating.

Add texture using dotting tools or textured surfaces pressed into the clay. Insert jewelry eye pins before drying for attaching earring hooks later.

These lightweight accessories allow unlimited design possibilities while making impressive handmade gifts that look store-bought.

10: Decorative Magnets

Form small clay shapes that reflect your interests – animals, food items, or abstract designs all work beautifully. Keep them under 1 inch in size for practical magnet use.

Add dimension and details using clay tools or toothpicks before drying.

Attach small magnets to the back using strong adhesive once pieces are completely dry and painted.

These functional decorations add personality to your refrigerator or office space while keeping important notes and photos organized.

11: Pinch Pot Candle Holders

Create small pinch pots by pressing your thumb into a ball of clay and gradually pinching the sides thinner.

Size the interior to fit tea lights or small votive candles.

Decorate the exterior with texture tools, small clay appliqués, or carved patterns. Consider leaving openings for light to shine through in decorative patterns.

These atmospheric light holders transform any space with their warm glow and handcrafted charm, perfect for dinner tables or bathroom counters.

12: Herb Garden Markers

Roll clay into small rectangles or preferred label shapes. Press herb names into the clay using letter stamps or carve with a toothpick for a handwritten effect.

Attach the name plates to small stakes by wrapping clay around the top portion of a wooden skewer. Leave the pointed end exposed for inserting into garden soil.

These practical garden accessories help identify your herbs while adding handcrafted charm to your culinary garden.

13: Textured Incense Holder

Form a long, narrow tray from clay, creating a slight curve or angle to catch falling ash. Add texture to the surface using stamps, fabric, or other impression tools.

Create a small raised area at one end with an indentation sized for standard incense sticks. Consider adding drainage holes for cone incense variations.

This functional piece adds aesthetic value to your relaxation routine while preventing messy ash from damaging your furniture.

14: Clay Photo Holders

Create small geometric bases that can support vertical wires or sticks. Form into interesting shapes like half-spheres, cubes, or organic forms.

Insert a thin wire, wooden skewer, or decorative twig into the clay before drying. Bend the wire into a small clip shape at the top for holding photos or notes.

These decorative desk accessories display your favorite memories while adding handcrafted character to your office or bedroom spaces.

15: Speckled Soap Dish

Roll clay into an oval or rectangular shape with raised edges to contain water runoff. Create drainage ridges across the surface to keep soap dry between uses.

Add visual interest by mixing tiny pieces of contrasting colored clay throughout your base clay. Finish with waterproof sealant to protect from regular water exposure.

This practical bathroom accessory extends the life of your soap bars while adding a handmade artistic element to your sink area.

16: Minimalist Wall Hooks

Form small wall mount bases in simple geometric shapes. Press decorative elements or texture into the front facing surface for visual interest.

Insert sturdy wire, formed into hook shapes, into the back of the clay before drying. Ensure hooks are positioned correctly for hanging orientation.

These functional wall accessories hold keys, jewelry, or light bags while contributing to your home’s decorative scheme rather than just serving utility.

17: Clay Bookmarks

Roll clay into thin rectangular strips approximately 1 inch wide by 5 inches long. Create rounded corners for a finished look that won’t damage book pages.

Press textures, patterns, or words into the surface before drying. Add ribbons through holes at the top or leave as solid pieces depending on your design preference.

These literary accessories make perfect gifts for book lovers while providing practical page-marking function with more personality than standard bookmarks.

18: Small Decorative Bowls

Form tiny bowls by pressing clay over the bottom of a suitable form like an egg cup or shot glass. Create interesting rim variations with tools or finger pinching techniques.

Add texture to the exterior using household items like burlap, lace, or textured rolling pins. Paint or seal according to your desired finish after complete drying.

These decorative containers store paper clips, rings, or small treasures while adding handcrafted charm to desks and dressers.

19: Clay Ornaments

Roll clay to approximately 1/4 inch thickness and cut into seasonal shapes using cookie cutters. Create a hole near the top for hanging before drying.

Press decorative elements, names, or dates into the surface for personalization. Paint with acrylics or leave natural depending on your aesthetic preference.

These versatile decorations work for Christmas trees, seasonal garlands, or year-round window displays depending on the shapes and designs you choose.

20: Textured Clay Buttons

Create small discs approximately 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter depending on your intended use. Pierce with two or four holes using a toothpick before drying.

Add textures, patterns, or light impressions to the surface for visual interest.

Paint in solid colors or highlight textures with metallic rub-ons after drying.

These functional fashion elements add handmade character to clothing projects, throw pillows, or decorative garlands when strung together.

Conclusion

Start with these approachable clay projects to build your confidence and skills.

The satisfaction of creating something beautiful with your own hands makes each project rewarding, whether you keep your creations or share them as heartfelt gifts.