These air-dry clay bud vases are so easy to make and work perfectly any season. However, I made them as a Día de Muertos DIY!
Día de Muertos DIY: Air dry clay bud vases
When it comes to celebrating Day of the Dead, handmade accents are the best. Especially when they are made by YOU.
These air-dry clay bud vases are so cute and are a compliment to an altar big or small. I made these mini-sized, but you can easily scale up this idea.
Video tutorial for air-dry clay bud vases
SUPPLIES:
Air-dry clay (I used ACTÍVA brand for this project)
Smooth surface to roll your clay
Dowel or chopstick
Craft knife
Water and a brush (for smoothing)
Small rolling pin
DIRECTIONS:
Pinch off a large egg-sized piece of clay.
Knead until it’s soft and pliable.
Roll into a smooth ball.
Create a round cylinder shape.
Make a cone/pointy tip at the top by rolling it in your palms. Smooth the bottom so it stands nicely.
Carefully insert the dowel into the top, and push down to create an opening. Go down, but do not poke it through the bottom. You can use a larger stick if you want a bigger opening.
Remove the dowel and use water on your fingers to smooth the shape.
Embellishments:
Pinch off a small piece of clay and roll it about 1/8″ thick, or even thinner.
Use a craft knife to cut out a skull shape. You can also draw a template if desired.
A needle tool or toothpick works nicely to create the skull’s eyes, nose and teeth.
Score the back of the skull and the front of the bud vase where you want to attach. Scoring means to add hash marks to create texture so the two sides will grip.
Add a bit of water to both sides and apply the skull to the front of the vase, carefully press in place.
Add more designs as desired.
Let dry, paint and varnish
Let your pieces dry for 48 hours, especially if they are very thick.
When fully dry, use craft paint to add color.
Seal with a water-based varnish. These will not hold water, but are great for handmade flowers!
Tips for air-dry clay
-Knead the clay thoroughly to make it soft and workable. This prevents cracks later and makes it easier to shape.
-Use a smooth, non-stick surface like wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone mat to work on. This helps prevent the clay from sticking while you shape or roll it.
-Use a small amount of water to keep your hands and tools moist. This smoothes the clay, prevents cracking, and blends seams. However, don’t over-saturate the clay as it can weaken or become mushy.
-Avoid making pieces that are too thick. Work in thin layers, as air-dry clay takes longer to dry in thicker parts, which can lead to cracking.
-To attach pieces of clay together (like adding embellishments), score both surfaces with a small tool or toothpick, then apply a bit of water (slip) to help the pieces stick securely.
-Use your fingers or tools like a small brush, sponge, or even a plastic knife to smooth out seams and surfaces while the clay is still wet. This makes the final product more polished.
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Air Dry Clay 101: DIY Mini Shrines
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-Air-dry clay hardens quickly, so always cover the unused portion with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out before you’re ready to use it.
-Make sure your project dries fully before painting or handling. Larger or thicker pieces may take 24–48 hours or more to dry completely. Turn the piece occasionally for even drying.
-Slow, even drying reduces cracks. Keep pieces away from direct sunlight or heat sources while drying, as they can cause uneven drying and cracking.
-Once your piece is fully dry, you can sand it lightly with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges or imperfections. Afterward, you can paint or seal your project with varnish or acrylic paint to protect it and add color.
-If you have leftover clay, store it in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag to keep it fresh for future use.
-Begin with small and simple projects (like beads, charms, or tiny vases) to build your confidence before attempting more intricate pieces.
This is not a sponsored post, but I wanted to share the details about the ACTÍVA brand clay I used.
It is non-toxic.
The clay has a fine, smooth consistency, which makes it easy to model, sculpt, and create detailed pieces.
Works well for sculpting, hand-building, stamping, and adding intricate details.
Once dry, the surface of ACTÍVA air-dry clay can be painted with acrylics, watercolors, or markers.
Comes in different colors (such as white, terra cotta, or gray), providing options depending on the desired look of your project.
https://littlebuddingartist.blogspot.com/
Thank you to Ruth from LittleBuddingArtist.com for supplying me with the sample of the ACTÍVA air-dry clay!
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I LOVE this project! This terracotta clay is just the right medium for this project. Not to mention if you don’t have access to a kiln, working with air-dry clay is a great alternative.
Yes, exactly! So easy!