How to Create Handmade Clay Pins
Want to make clay pins but not sure where to start? Here’s a quick guide to what’s worked best for me!
My handmade pins - you can find them on my Etsy!
As a self-taught artist, I’ve spent a lot of time watching tutorials, experimenting with different materials, and finding what works best for me. I’m excited to share my process with you and hopefully make it easier for you to get started!
Clay Pin Crafting at a Glance
Get Your Materials: Grab some polymer clay, acrylic paints, gloss, and pin backings to start.
Plan Your Designs: I always sketch out my ideas before getting my hands on the clay—helps me stay focused!
Set Up Your Workspace: Protect your table (trust me, my table has a glue spot on it from the gloss) and gather all your tools.
Craft Your Pins: Shape your clay into your designs, have fun with it!
Bake: Follow the clay’s baking instructions to get it ready.
Paint & Gloss: Time to bring your pins to life with acrylic paints and finish them off with a shiny gloss.
Glue on Pin Backings: Attach your pin backings securely with some strong glue.
Selling? Think about cute packaging and how you present your work online—it really makes a difference!
Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s dive deeper into each step for a more detailed breakdown!
What materials do I need for clay pins?
There are tons of tools out there, and it can get tricky to keep track of what you actually need. Here’s a basic list to get you started—you can always expand your toolset later as you get more into it!
Polymer Clay: Choose colors or plain white. I prefer using Fimo Soft polymer clay for my projects because it's both user-friendly and readily accessible in my region. So far I have only used white polymer clay because it is more affordable than buying lots of different colors. For specific colors you can mix two shades to create the one you`re looking for.
Clay Tools: You'll need some basic tools like a rolling pin and a craft knife. When I began, I used a glue stick to roll out the clay and a kitchen knife for cutting. Feel free to get creative with whatever tools you have on hand—just be sure to take precautions and protect your workspace with a table cover. And be careful with your hands!
Baking Sheet and Oven: For baking your clay pins. There is also air-dry clay you can get in case you don’t have an oven. It takes about 24-72 hours for air-dry clay to bake. In the oven it takes only about half an hour.
Acrylic Paints and Pens: For adding color and details. Posca markers are very popular, I recommend getting the smallest tip size possible for eyes and mouths.
Pin Backings: Pin backs and super glue or epoxy for attachment.
Gloss Varnish: To give your clay pins a professional finish and to protect them from scratches and color fading. Also, it makes them shiny!
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Set up a clean and organized workspace with something like a cutting mat or wax paper to keep things tidy and protect your surfaces. Put all your tools in easy reach and clear away anything that could get in the way.
The tools I am currently using.
Step 2: Condition the Polymer Clay
Condition the clay by kneading it with your hands—this makes it pliable and much easier to work with. It’s also the perfect time to mix colors if you’re creating a new shade. I use Fimo Soft because it’s pretty easy to condition and doesn’t require too much effort.
Tip: If the clay is older and harder, put it near your radiator or under a hot water bottle to soften it up.
Step 3: Shape Your Clay
Roll out the clay to your desired thickness using a rolling pin. You can use cookie cutters, molds, or just shape the clay by hand to create different designs.
I usually roll the clay out, cut the basic shape with a knife, and then refine the details—like my favorite chonky cat shapes. It might feel difficult at first, but you’ll find a process that works best for you and makes your creations uniquely yours.
I’ve tried using cutters, and they can be a bit tricky. Each method has its own learning curve, so it takes a bit of practice to get comfortable with your preferred technique.
Step 4: Add Pin Backings
You can attach pin backings either before or after baking; I usually do it after painting. Just apply a tiny bit of super glue or epoxy to the clay and press the pin backing down firmly for about 10 seconds.
It can be a bit tough on your fingers, so take breaks—the pressure can get painful on your fingers.
I’ve tried wearing gloves, as generally recommended, but they tend to get stuck in the glue and make things harder, so I just go slow and careful with my hands.
If you want a more secure hold, you can also embed the pin backs into the clay before baking.
From left to right: Butterfly clutches, pin backings, jump rings, eye pins.
Step 5: Bake the Clay
Place your clay shapes on a baking sheet and follow the baking instructions on the polymer clay package. Typically, bake at 135°C (275°F) for 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces.
It’s super important to let your pieces cool down before you touch them—they’re still soft and can get easily deformed, plus it saves your fingers from burning.
I usually wait around 20 minutes, then move them to a spot where they won’t be in my way. I prefer to let them cool completely and do the painting the next day.
Step 6: Add Color and Details
If you’re working with white clay, start by applying a base coat of white acrylic paint. This helps other colors stick better and makes them pop. Once the base coat is dry, go in with your acrylic paints and paint pens to add your colors and details.
Black paint usually only needs 1-2 coats, while brighter colors might need 2-3 coats to really shine.
Tip: I like to group my pieces by the colors I need for painting—it makes the process smoother and more efficient. If you make a mistake, just let it dry and then repaint. And be patient—I often rush and end up messing up the paint coat, either by making it muddy or disrupting the even finish.
Step 7: Seal Your Pins
To give your pins a shiny, professional finish and protect your paint, apply a glossy sealer or gloss varnish. This not only makes your pins look great but also keeps your artwork vibrant and durable.
Just be careful to use only a little sealer at a time—if it runs and pools at the base, it’ll dry that way and won’t look neat.
I usually go over each side three times, but one or two coats can be enough. Recently, I’ve been using a glitter gloss, which I’m loving, especially on darker pieces!
Want to learn how to make clay keychains too? I got a guide for you!
Now your clay pins are ready!
Follow me and share your pins!
If you want to follow along with my creative journey, check out my social media profile @shadowbloom_art for updates, tips, and my latest projects.
And when it comes to packaging, I love adding cute touches to make everything feel special—I'll share more on that soon!
I’d also love to see your clay pins, so feel free to tag me in your creations!
