How to Make a Handmade Ceramic Decal

You can make your own decal ornaments using ceramic clay.

Ceramic decals can be placed into your vegetable, fruit or flower garden to mark a specific type of seed planted in that location. Although you can buy ceramic decals at any garden supply store, you may not always find one that displays the type of flower, fruit or vegetable you are planting. One solution is to make your own ceramic decals using a few basic materials that you can buy from a craft supply store.

Things You'll Need

• Ceramic clay
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters
• Lettering stamps
• Ceramic glaze
• Paintbrush
• Kiln

Instructions

1. Knead 1/2 lb. of ceramic clay for 5 minutes. This will remove any trapped air that can cause the clay to explode in the kiln.

2. Roll out the ceramic clay using a rolling pin until it is 1/2-inch thick. If you moisten the clay with water it will roll out more smoothly.

3. Cut out shapes from the clay sheet using cookie cutters. You can find cookie cutters in a wide variety of shapes and sizes from any craft supply store.

4. Press lettering stamps into the clay decal, spelling out the specific plant you are using the decal for.

5. Paint the decal using ceramic glaze, which is available in a wide array of colors and textures. Allow the glaze and the clay to air dry for 6 hours.

6. Place the ceramic decal into a kiln, and close the kiln lid. Set the kiln to medium, and bake the decal for 4 hours. Allow the decal to cool for 4 hours before handling it.