Valentine DIY: My (stamped) Clay Heart

Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is almost here? It still feels like we just took our Christmas tree down. Time is flying by in 2011. But I haven’t forgotten about completing a few V-Day diy projects. And actually, this is one I finished over a year ago, but never posted it to the blog. It’s along the same lines as the clay pendants I created as bridesmaid gifts for our wedding almost two years ago, but this one has a Valentine’s spin.

Lot of possibilities too: Clay keepsakes, decorative tags, proposal idea, blah, blah, blah. It will take a little bit more time to make than most of the tutorials I’ve posted in the past, but I think it’s well worth it.

So, spill your guts and create a keepsake message straight from the heart.

What supplies do I need to make this? Materials: super sculpey (oven bake) or air dry clay, rolling pin, acrylic paint (optional)

How do I make this? 1. Warm up a golf ball to baseball size clump of clay in your hands and then roll it out with a rolling pin to to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. 2. Using a clay cutting tool or a regular knife, carve a heart, oval, or other shape. 3. Stamp your message or carve it in. 4. Bake in the oven, following instructions. Or if using air dry clay, let dry for 24 hours.

5. Once the clay has cooled and/or dried out, you are ready to paint with water-based acrylics. Or seal in the natural color with clear nail polish. Works like a charm. I decided to quickly remove the paint with a paper towel after it was painted to let some of the natural color show through. 6. That’s it if you just creating a keepsake or charm. But if you want to turn your ceramic works of art into decorative tags, you’ll need to drill a whole (which is very easy to do if you are using Super Sculpey because it can be carved, sanded, or drilled after baking). I used a book binding punch to create the hole.

Take it further: Use your freshly made pendants to decorate a present for an extra special handmade touch no one will ever forget.

Here’s the finished project…

*This is the second of four Valentines Day diy projects Ill be sharing this week (one everyday for the rest of the week), so check back daily for more. And for more ideas on quick and easy projects, click here to visit the tutorial and diy page filled with more than 50 diys. If you like this diy project, please help me spread the word by using the twitter and facebook buttons below. Thank you so much.