How to Decorate Pots With Polymer Clay

Accent ceramic pots using colorful polymer clay.

You can make any type of pot more decorative by applying polymer clay shapes on the outside. Everything you need in order to make polymer clay decorations can be purchased from any arts and crafts supply store.

Things You'll Need

• Polymer clay, colored
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters, 1-inch
• Toothpick
• Cookie sheet
• Hot glue stick
• Hot glue gun
• Ceramic pot
• Acrylic paint, colored
• Paintbrush
• Acrylic glaze, clear

Instructions

1. Roll out 8 oz. of polymer clay into a sheet that measures 1/4-inch thick using a rolling pin.

2. Cut out four to five shapes using a 1-inch-wide cookie cutter. Remove the excess polymer clay and set it aside.

3. Smooth the edges of each shape using the tip of a toothpick. Place the shapes onto an aluminum cookie sheet.

4. Bake the shapes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit in an oven for 10 minutes. Allow the shapes to cool for 30 minutes.

5. Insert a glue stick into a hot glue gun. Plug in the gun and heat it for 10 minutes.

6. Squeeze a pea-sized drop of hot glue onto the outside of a ceramic pot. Press one of the shapes onto the hot glue. Hold the shape in place for 1 minute to allow the hot glue to cool and harden. Repeat with the remaining polymer shapes.

7. Paint the decorations using acrylic paint to add detailing. Allow the paint to dry for 20 minutes.

8. Brush a layer of clear acrylic glaze over the paint. Allow the glaze to dry for 20 minutes before displaying the decorated pot.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful when working with hot glue; it can cause burns if it comes in contact with your skin.

References

• Stampington: Polymer Clay Basics
• Sculpey: Polymer Clay Information