20 Easy Small Clay Projects You Can Create in an Afternoon

Clay projects offer a perfect creative outlet for beginners and experienced crafters alike.

The tactile nature of working with clay provides a meditative experience while producing something both beautiful and potentially functional.

You don’t need extensive experience or expensive equipment to create satisfying clay pieces.

With just a small block of air-dry or polymer clay, basic tools, and some inspiration, you can complete an entire project in a single afternoon.

These 20 small clay projects range from practical items to decorative pieces, all designed to fit comfortably within your schedule and skill level.

Grab your clay and prepare to discover just how rewarding this versatile medium can be.

1: Minimalist Ring Dish

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

This practical project combines function with personalized style for your dresser or bathroom counter.

Form a ball of clay and press your thumb into the center, gradually working outward to create the depression.

Add textures with household items like a fork, lace, or leaves pressed gently into the surface before drying or baking.

2: Custom Plant Markers

Craft small plant identifiers that add character to your indoor or outdoor garden.

These practical tags help you remember what you’ve planted while adding a personal touch to your greenery.

Roll clay into thin sheets and cut leaf or rectangle shapes with a knife.

Impress plant names with letter stamps or a toothpick, then fold the top over a plant stake for easy insertion into soil.

3: Textured Wall Hanging

Design a small decorative piece that brings organic texture to your walls. This artistic project makes a statement without requiring advanced sculpting skills.

Roll clay into a circle or oval approximately 1/4 inch thick. Create patterns using textured rolling pins, lace impressions, or natural elements like ferns.

Add a small hole near the top for hanging before drying.

4: Marbled Clay Coasters

Blend different colored clays to create stunning marbled coasters that protect your surfaces with artistic flair.

This project produces professional-looking results even for complete beginners.

Mix two or three complementary clay colors partially (not completely) for marbled effects.

Roll into flat circles approximately 3/8 inch thick and trim edges with a round cutter. Seal after baking if using as functional coasters.

5: Pinch Pot Succulent Planters

Form tiny plant pots perfect for small succulents or air plants.

These miniature containers add handmade charm to windowsills, desks, or shelves while showcasing your growing collection.

Start with a clay ball and press your thumb into the center, pinching and turning to form walls.

Create drainage holes in the bottom if using for live plants. Add textures, patterns, or small feet for added personality.

6: Clay Bead Necklace

Craft a collection of uniquely textured beads for a one-of-a-kind necklace or bracelet.

This wearable project lets you create custom jewelry that matches your personal style perfectly.

Form small balls, tubes, or discs of clay and pierce with a needle or toothpick before drying.

Experiment with textures, shapes, and mixed colors for a curated collection. String on leather cord or jewelry wire once completely dry.

7: Decorative Magnets

Create tiny sculptural or patterned pieces that add personality to your refrigerator or magnetic board.

These small projects make perfect gifts and use minimal clay per piece.

Form small decorative shapes like flowers, fruits, or geometric designs no larger than a quarter.

Embed small disc magnets into the back before baking polymer clay, or attach with strong adhesive after air-dry clay hardens.

8: Incense Stick Holder

Design a functional piece that elevates your aromatherapy experience. This practical project combines utility with opportunities for creative expression.

Form a small ball of clay and flatten slightly for stability.

Create a narrow hole at an angle using a skewer, ensuring it’s deep enough to hold an incense stick securely. Add textures or carved designs around the base.

9: Small Wall Pocket Vase

Craft a flat-backed vessel that hangs on your wall, perfect for holding dried flowers or small plant cuttings.

This decorative piece adds three-dimensional interest to wall displays.

Form a small pinch pot with one side flattened. Add a hole or loop at the top for hanging and a cutout along the flattened edge for visual interest.

This creates a pocket that holds water or stems while securely mounting to your wall.

10: Custom Drawer Pulls

Transform plain furniture with handcrafted drawer knobs that reflect your personal style.

This functional project immediately updates cabinets or dressers with minimal effort.

Form small balls, discs, or geometric shapes around purchased drawer pull hardware.

Create texture with tools or pressed elements for added interest. Ensure proper attachment to hardware before baking polymer clay or drying air-dry versions.

11: Clay Gift Tags

Craft elegant, reusable gift decorations that add a personal touch to your packages.

These sustainable alternatives to paper tags become keepsakes long after the gift is opened.

Roll clay to approximately 1/8 inch thickness and cut into simple shapes with a knife or cookie cutters.

Pierce a small hole for ribbon and stamp or carve messages or designs before drying.

12: Tea Bag Rest

Create a practical accessory for tea lovers that keeps counters and tables free from drips and stains.

This functional piece elevates everyday tea drinking into a more mindful ritual.

Form a small, slightly concave rectangle or oval shape with raised edges to catch drips.

Add texture or a gentle depression perfectly sized for a standard tea bag. Seal completely if using air-dry clay for water resistance.

13: Earring Holders

Design a sculptural piece that displays and organizes your earring collection.

This practical project keeps pairs together while showcasing them as part of your décor.

Roll a small cylinder of clay and flatten one side for stability. Insert toothpicks or small wire pieces halfway into the clay at various angles before drying.

Once hardened, these projections hold earrings perfectly for both storage and display.

14: Miniature Landscape

Craft a tiny terrarium-like scene that brings whimsy to small spaces.

This decorative project exercises your imagination while creating a conversation piece for your home.

Create a small base and add miniature elements like tiny houses, trees, mountains, or animals.

Keep the entire scene under 3 inches for a true miniature experience. Paint after drying for added detail and dimension.

15: Clay Keychains

Form personalized accessories that make everyday items easier to find and more reflective of your style.

These practical projects make excellent gifts for friends and family.

Create small shapes, monograms, or miniature objects no larger than a quarter.

Insert a small jump ring or create a hole before drying or baking. Attach to a keyring once completely hardened and sealed.

16: Textured Button Collection

Craft unique buttons for sewing projects or decorative purposes. These small functional items allow endless experimentation with shapes, textures, and colors.

Roll small discs of clay approximately 1/2 inch in diameter. Add texture with stamps, lace, or other impressions and create two or four holes with a toothpick.

Ensure holes remain clear during the drying process for easy sewing application.

17: Dainty Air Plant Cradles

Form small, sculptural bases that display air plants without soil or water. These decorative pieces showcase plants in unexpected, artistic ways.

Create abstract forms with curves, peaks, or depressions sized to cradle small air plants. Focus on stability and interesting silhouettes rather than traditional pot shapes.

The contrast between living plant and clay creates compelling visual interest.

18: Stamped Herb Markers

Design rustic identification stakes for your herb garden that withstand outdoor conditions.

These practical markers add charm while helping identify your culinary plants.

Form small rectangles approximately 1 x 3 inches and stamp or carve herb names before drying.

Create a pointed bottom edge for easy insertion into soil. Seal outdoor-bound markers with appropriate weather-resistant finishes after drying.

19: Clay Napkin Rings

Craft custom holders that elevate your table setting with personalized details. These functional pieces transform everyday meals into more special occasions.

Form small cylinders with approximately 1.5-inch diameters—large enough to hold folded napkins.

Add textures, embedded objects, or impressions that complement your dining style. Create sets of 4-6 for family dinners or special gatherings.

20: Decorative Light Switch Plates

Transform utilitarian fixtures into art pieces that enhance your decor. This practical project turns often-overlooked elements into design features.

Create a template from your existing switch plate. Roll clay to approximately 1/4 inch thickness and cut to size, carefully creating openings for switches and screws.

Add subtle texture or designs that complement your room’s aesthetic.

Conclusion

Working with clay offers boundless creative possibilities even within small projects.

Start with the idea that most resonates with you, embracing the process as much as the finished piece. Your handcrafted creations will bring unique character to your space.