How to Make Air Dry Clay Feather Tags
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I’m totally in love with feathers! I know it might sound a bit quirky, but there’s something so captivating about them. Feathers are full of metaphor and symbolism, often representing freedom, transcendence, and the magic of believing in the impossible. They connect us to the world of spirit and have a timeless charm.
And as you know, air-dry clay is one of my favorite materials to use (you can see from my DIY Pen Holder and DIY Incense Holder). It’s versatile, easy to handle, and perfect for creating beautiful, personalized crafts. So, why not combine these two loves and create intricately detailed feather tags?
These tags can be used to add personal messages and serve as holiday ornaments or home decor. You can customize them with your favorite colors or add a touch of glamour with gold glitter. These feather tags make for beautiful, personalized decorations that add a special touch to any gift.
Today, I’m excited to show you how to make these air-dry clay tags. Let’s get into it.
Materials Needed:
- air-dry clay – you can use any brand, but we like using Crayola
- Rolling pin
- Acrylic paint (we used Burgundy and Splendid Gold paint from this Acrylic paint collection)
- Craft knife
- Plastic sheets
- Rolling guide sticks
- Feather Template & Cardstock
- Cutting mat
- Brush
- Hole cutter
- Sponge
- Mod Podge Gloss Sealer
- Pin
- Ruler
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.
Step 3: Create the Template
Trace the feather template onto cardstock and cut it out using sharp scissors. Cut out the hanging hole as well.
Make a plastic version of the template for repeated use, as paper and card can get damaged if used multiple times on damp clay.
Step 4: Ingrain the Shape
Place the template on the prepared slab of clay. With the template in position, roll the clay from the center outward to impress the shape onto the clay, ensuring it stays in place while you cut it out.
Step 5: Cut the Shape
Keeping the template in place, use a sharp craft knife to carefully cut around the outside edge of the shape.
Step 6: Refine the Edges
Gently squeeze and pinch the edges of the piece with your fingers to round them off and make them slightly thinner than the rest of the piece. Dip a brush in clean water and gently brush over the edges to smooth out the clay.
Step 7 – Make the Hole
Push a hole cutter through the clay near the top of the feather to create a hole for threading the ribbon later.
Make sure to position the hanging hole at least 1/4 in. (5 mm) away from the edge to prevent cracking.
Step 8: Add the Vein
Using the edge of a ruler, press a central “vein” down the middle of the feather, taking care not to push it through the clay.
Step 9: Create Feather Barbs
Using a craft knife, scratch finer lines into the clay at a 45° angle to the central vein to create the feather barbs. Leave the back of the piece blank so you can write your personal message.
Step 10: Smooth the Edges
Use a wet brush to smooth the edges of the hole. Leave the pieces to dry overnight.
Step 11: Apply the Ink
Once dry, gently press your feather into the ink pad, covering it in stages. Repeat until the coverage is even.
Step 12: Seal the Piece
Once the ink has dried, seal the piece with a clear gloss spray or Mod Podge Gloss Sealer. Dampen a sponge with clean water and gently smooth the edges and back of the piece.
Your elegant feather tags are now ready to add a personal touch to any gift or decoration!
How to Use Feather Tags
There are so many cool things you can do with this feather tags. You can also use it for the following:
- Holiday Ornaments
- Decorate a table
- Use as Gift Tags
- String as a Garland
- Attach to a Wreath
