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Modern DIY Mini Air Dry Clay Pot

Join me this week as I share how to make this super easy DIY mini air dry clay pot. And if you’ve never used clay before, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered 😉

 

Learn how to make this DIY mini speckled clay pot using air dry clay.

A few years ago, I shared a couple of simple clay projects on the blog, one using polymer and the other air dry clay

Both have their pros and cons, but I have to say, I absolutely LOVE mucking about with air dry clay. It is SO soft and pliable and, quite honestly, a lot more fun to work with.

So today I’m sharing how to make this easy DIY mini air dry clay pot. Use it to store small items, like pencils, craft tools, or even some faux succulents 🙂

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SUPPLIES NEEDED: DIY Mini Air Dry Clay Pot


STEPS: DIY Mini Air Dry Clay Pot

Step 1: Making the Side of Your Pot

Roll out the clay, ensuring that it is no more than about ½ inch thick. 

Roll out clay

TIP to create even thickness of clay:  If your rolling pin does not have rubber spacers, then tape down two ½ inch dowels along the sides of your wax paper or silicon mat. This will ensure that the ends of your rolling pin roll on top of the dowels so that the thickness of your clay is perfectly even!

Measure and cut along the sides to your desired height.

Cut clay

Using a bottle or small vase, wrap the clay.

Wrap clay

Cut off the excess.

Cut off excess clay

Score the edges.

Score edges of clay

Dip your finger in water and begin smoothing the scored edges until they have joined.

A plastic knife can also do the trick.

Smooth clay edges until they close

TIP: Leave the side wrapped around the bottle or vase for about an hour to allow it to harden just a bit. This will make handling the sides easier for the next step. You can then remove the bottle or vase by gently wiggling it out.

OPTIONAL: Add a design detail. Here, I used the blunt end of plastic tool (or you can use the end of a pencil with an eraser).

design detail - clay

NOTE: This creates a slight ‘barrel’ effect. If you don’t want that look, then leave it as is or you can try scraping the clay off the sides.  

Set aside.

STEP 2: Making The Base

Roll out more clay, about ½ inch thick.

Roll out clay base

Using the bottle or vase, measure the base.

Cut base

Score around the edge of the base. 

Score clay base

Then score the bottom of the side piece that will be attached to the base.

Score bottom of clay.

Add a generous amount of water to the scored parts and gently attach the side piece to your base by adding a bit of pressure and GENTLY wiggling back and forth. 

Cut off the excess.

Attach side and bottom of clay

Step 3: Reinforcing Your Pot at the Edges

To ensure all those edges will remain attached, we’re going to reinforce the base on the INSIDE and on the OUTSIDE.

Outside First:

Dipping your finger in water, begin smoothing out the area where the base meets the side.

Smooth edges with finger.

Inside Next:

Using your hands, roll out a long thin piece of clay.

Roll out long piece of clay

Add that to the edge of the interior of the pot where the base meets the side.

Lay out clay

Add about ½ teaspoon of water and begin smoothing out using your plastic knife, the eraser on the end of a pencil or other blunt tool.

Smooth edges

Or, if you can reach, use your finger.

Smooth with water

Let your clay pot dry for a few days, or until it turns white.

TIP: You’ll know this clay is dry when it changes from a soft grey to a flat, white colour.

Step 4: Add Speckles

To add speckles, I’ve seen others use a splatter effect by dipping a brush into acrylic paint.

But that seemed messy to me.

I decided to follow the advice of this blogger who used the end of a tack to control the look of the speckles. 

Taking a tack or pin, dip it into some acrylic paint.

Dip pin into acrylic paint

Then simply tap the paint onto the pot at random spots. Tap the same spot for a larger speckle. Do light taps for smaller speckles.

Add dots to clay pot

Step 5: Seal Your Pot with Varnish (Optional)

Because my pot will be used in a bathroom display, I decided to seal it with this liquid matte varnish. Just follow the instructions on the bottle, and let dry.

Seal paint and clay with matte varnish

Ready To Display Your DIY Mini Air Dry Clay Pot (with speckles)!

Simple DIY mini air dry clay pot.

DIY mini speckled clay pot tutorial.

Air dry clay pot tutorial.

How to create a clay pot for succulents.

Simple air dry clay pot tutorial.

 

 

 

 

This DIY mini air dry clay pot is a great way to personalize those little spaces in your home. Use it to add small storage or to display faux succulents. Makes a great gift idea, don’t you think?

Happy clay-making 🙂 

 

 

 

If you enjoy clay decor projects, take a look at these DIY ideas from the blog:

Add a touch of whimsy to your walls with these modern DIY clay and wood bead mobiles (using polymer clay).

 

  

 

 

12 Comments

  • Reply
    Lucy Jennings
    July 20, 2020 at 11:37 am

    This is such a beautiful post! You explained it well, and the photos are beautiful. I never trusted air-dry clay, but you make me want to give it a try. 🙂

    • Reply
      Jelica
      April 14, 2021 at 11:09 am

      Thanks, Lucy! It’s definitely a medium that gets more fun the more often you use it. Starting small always helps 🙂 Take care!

  • Reply
    Riya
    April 26, 2021 at 7:34 am

    Can real plants be stored in it as well? Will watering the plant disrupt the integrity of the clay once it has dried?

    • Reply
      Jelica
      May 1, 2021 at 4:26 pm

      Hi Riya, In this case, these air dry clay pots are not ideal as pots for real plants unless you make them waterproof by, for example, painting on a sealant like polyurethane (it’s slightly amber in colour) or any clear varnish (if you want to maintain the exact colour of your clay). Hope this helps!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      September 14, 2021 at 10:35 pm

      How do you get it off the bottle or whatever you model it on?

      • Reply
        Jelica
        June 12, 2022 at 2:46 pm

        The bottle is a smooth plastic and it came off without any problem – did not stick at all. However, if you are not sure about the material you are using , you may want to place saran wrap on the model before placing the clay. Once dry or semi-dry, the wrap should peel off and then you can sand or smooth away bumps. I follow a ceramic artist named, Paula Casella Biase, who teaches beginner clay making and she may have more tips to offer!

  • Reply
    amelia airheart
    April 28, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    omg this is so bootiful!

    • Reply
      Jelica
      May 1, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      Awww, thank you, Amelia!

  • Reply
    Jessica
    April 29, 2021 at 8:51 pm

    How do you get it off the circle 😅

    • Reply
      Jelica
      May 1, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      Hi Jessica! You’ve got plenty of time before it dries to get it off – lol!

  • Reply
    Nikki Wilkinson
    February 23, 2023 at 7:45 am

    Did you have lots of extra clay or did you use it all for this one

  • Leave a Reply