Air Dry Clay Pea Pod Bowl
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Pinch pots may be small, yet offer plenty of room for creativity. This pea pod bowl is a great way to add a bit of nature to your home décor and is made from air-dry clay. And if you’ve been following along, you already know how much we love working with air-dry clay—it’s so versatile! In case you missed it, we’ve made clay feather tags, an incense holder, and even a pencil holder before.
These adorable pea bowls are super easy to create and only require a bit of air-dry clay. We’ll guide you through the rest! Use your finished bowl to hold jewelry, potpourri, keys, or loose change, or gift it to someone special. It’s the perfect handmade addition to your space or a thoughtful present for a loved one.
Tools & Materials
- air-dry clay – you can use any brand but we like using Crayola
- Knife
- Plastic sheet
- Toothbrush
- Paintbrush
- Sponge
- Mod Podge Gloss Sealer
- Optional: Acrylic paint
Instructions:
Step 1 – Form Pinch Pots
Start by creating three pinch pots of similar size. You’ll need roughly 5 oz of air-dry clay for each one.
Step 2: Refine the Rims
Gently work your way around the rims of each pot, squeezing and shaping them to make the edges smooth and even.
Step 3 – Pinch the Details
For the two end pots, pinch and shape the ends to create a pointed tip, giving them a pea pod appearance.
Step 4 – Align the Pots
Once your pinch pots are ready, please place them in a row to decide how to connect them. Lightly score the edges where they’ll meet using a knife.
Step 5 – Prepare for Joining
Use a toothbrush dipped in clean water to moisten the scored edges.
Step 6 – Join the Pots
Carefully press the wet, scored edges together to join the pinch pots into one piece.
Step 7 – Smooth the Seams
With a wet finger, smooth over the seams where the pots connect, sealing them together. As you do this, gently pinch and adjust the pots to achieve your desired shape.
Use a damp paintbrush to blend and smooth the joins further. Then, take a damp sponge and gently smooth over the entire bowl for a polished finish.
Once everything is dry, seal the bowl with a clear gloss spray. Now you have a charming, nature-inspired pea pod bowl to enjoy!
Optional Steps – Painting the Pea Bowl
Although we chose to keep our pea bowls in their natural clay color, you can certainly add a splash of color to yours. For a two-toned effect, simply apply strips of washi tape to mask off the sections you want to keep unpainted. Use acrylic paint to cover the exposed areas, and once it dries, apply a second coat for a more vibrant finish.
