How to make worry stones – but I call them love stones because we’re using heart-shaped cookie cutters! Great for air-dry or polymer clay!
These little beauties are all about intention, healing, and radiating love—both to yourself and to others. Instead of calling them “worry stones,” I wanted to shift the energy. These aren’t just for easing anxiety; they’re meant to remind us of our inner power, resilience, and capacity to love big.
Each one starts with a simple slab of clay—air-dry, ceramic, or polymer. Here’s how I do it – using a mini-heart cookie cutter to shape them, I press into the clay and an intention: “This stone will carry love, light, and strength.”
Video tutorial of how to make worry stones
Next, the edges are smoothed, maybe I’ll add a few carved lines or stamped textures, and let the clay dry or bake depending on the type.
For sparkle: I coat them with glitter and seal them with UV resin so they shimmer with that divine energy we all need a little more of. When the light hits them just right? It’s like a mini beam of joy straight to your soul.
These are perfect to carry in your pocket, keep on your altar, give to a friend, or tuck into a gift bag.
Each one holds a little message: You are loved. You are strong. You are guided.
They’re small, but mighty—like a glittery hug from the universe!
How to make worry stones
The goal is to end up with shiny, happy, glittery love stones.
SUPPLIES
Air dry clay (you can also use polymer or ceramic clay)
Mini-Heart-shaped cookie cutter (or any small shape that brings you joy)
Plastic wrap
Drying tray
Craft paint (or Mayco Stroke and Coat Wonderglaze ceramic color if you are firing them like I did)
UV resin or another type of shiny sealer
Rolling pin
Directions for air dry clay and ceramic clay:
Roll out your clay to about 1/2″ thickness. They will shrink after the water evaporates from the wet clay.
If you can – place a sheet of plastic wrap on top of the clay and press in the cookie cutter.
Remove the plastic wrap and the shape, smooth edges. If you don’t use plastic wrap, that is fine, it just makes the edges smoother. I didn’t learn this trick until later!
IMPORTANT: Press your thumb into the heart and smooth the edges.
Set on a rack to dry overnight. Cover with a light piece of plastic so they don’t dry too fast and curl.
Add painted designs, then seal with a high gloss varnish.
For ceramics: When bone dry, add Mayco Strone and Coat Wonderglaze, decorate as desired. Fire at cone 04 on slow speed.
Optional: Mix glitter in UV resin, brush over the top of the finished piece and use a UV light to cure. You can also add little crystals!
Here are more pictures of my finished pieces!
Here are five magical variations of this love stone project
These still carry the same powerful energy, just with different materials, vibes, or meanings—perfect for different occasions, moods, or even workshops:
1. Painted Affirmation Stones
Instead of glitter and resin, use paint pens or acrylics to decorate your love stone with bold, beautiful colors and hand-lettered words like amor, fuerza, shine on, or healed heart. Add metallic outlines or tiny florals for extra flair. Seal with a brush-on varnish for a soft, satin finish.
2. Sacred Heart Pocket Shrines
Before sealing your piece, press a tiny milagro, charm, or written prayer into the center of the heart. Once it’s dry or baked, add a resin coating to preserve it. These become tiny portable altars—each one holding a personal blessing or intention.
3. Incense Holder Hearts
Use a toothpick or skewer to poke a small hole near the top center before drying, firing or baking. Once finished and sealed, it becomes a glittery incense holder that adds love and light to your meditation or altar space.
4. Mixed Media Love Magnets
Glue a strong magnet to the back of the finished piece and turn it into something for fridge or locker love. You can layer on paper embellishments, sequins, stamped designs, or even a tiny photo collage before sealing with resin. Perfect for gifting!
5. Glow-in-the-Dark Heart Stones
Mix glow-in-the-dark powder or pigment into your resin topcoat or clay before shaping. These hearts literally glow with love when the lights go out—like little spirit beacons to remind you of your own inner light during darker moments.
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