How to Make a DIY Pencil Holder From Air Dry Clay
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We have a lot of art supplies, pencils, and pens for our kids and various DIY projects we love doing. If you’re like me and constantly looking for ways to store your crafty items, this project is perfect for you.
These holders are also ideal for organizing all sorts of stationery for your kids’ desks or homework stations. This DIY Air-Dry Clay project is super easy to make and quick to complete. It’s an excellent solution for tidying up your creative spaces.
Supplies You Will Need:
- air-dry clay – you can use any brand, but we like using Crayola
- Rolling pin
- A cookie cutter or a round object like a small cup for the base
- Sponge
- Ruler
- Patterned clay roller
- Acrylic paint (we used white paint)
- paintbrush
- Mod Podge Gloss Sealer
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Clay
Knead the piece of clay thoroughly, then shape it into a ball.
Step 2: Roll The Clay
Roll out the clay using the Rolling pin until it is about 1/4 inch (7 mm) thick and approximately 8 inches (20.5 cm) long.
Step 3: Cut the Wall
Use a ruler and needle tool to cut out a rectangle for the wall of your pen holder. A 3 cm (1.1 in) diameter base requires a 12 cm (4.7 in) long rectangle. Choose the height based on your preference.
Step 4: Add Texture
Use your patterned clay roller to create interesting textures by rolling it over the clay slab once to avoid distorting the texture.
Important note: You can apply the patterned roller before cutting the clay, as this decreases the risk of deforming the edges and altering the shape of the cut piece.
Step 5: Cut the Base
Use a cookie cutter or a round object like a small cup to cut out the base of your pen holder from the remaining air-dry clay. Aim for a base diameter of 3 cm (1.1 in). Keep in mind that the clay tends to shrink by about 5% after drying.
Step 6: Form the Cylinder
Place the rectangle around the base to form a cylinder. If the clay feels too wet, let it dry for a few minutes to make this step easier.
Step 7: Trim Excess
Use a needle tool or butter knife to remove any excess clay.
Step 8: Smooth the Edges
Unite the edges of the walls and smooth the joint with your fingers. A damp sponge can help with this step.
Step 9: Paint and Protect
Once the holder is assembled and dry, paint it as desired. Finish with two layers of clear gloss paint to protect the clay and give it a shiny look.
What Else Can You Do With This Pencil Holder?
There are so many cool things you can do with this pen holder. You can also use it for the following:
- Paintbrush Holder
- Pen Holder
- Candle Holder
