Clay Strawberries (DIY Ornaments Idea)

By Brittni • Updated on 08/20/2023

Clay strawberries that you can use Christmas ornaments, gift toppers, jewelry, or just cute little figurines.

DIY clay strawberries, all lined up.

Clay strawberries coming at ya! For the last few years, I’ve made a new batch of DIY ornaments and it

After I made the clay mushroom ornaments last year, I decided I would do more clay ornaments this year bit was so much fun. And I wanted to make something that Hayes would like, so I created a TON of clay strawberry ornaments.

Strawberries are one of his favorite foods and he calls them ‘hearts’ and it’s really cute.

But you’re here for the ornaments, not the story. So, click through to find out how I made all this strawberry ornaments.

Materials needed to make DIY clay strawberries.

Materials for Clay Strawberries

Phases of making a clay strawberry.

How to Make Clay Strawberry Ornaments

Pinch off a small chunk of air dry clay and roll it into a ball. I like to roll the ball on the table because it will get super smooth that way (no wrinkles or cracks).

Then lightly pinch on the end to make the bottom a little more pointed, like a strawberry.

Then flip it over and press the top against a flat surface to flatten the top of the strawberry.

Poke small holes / indentions all the way around the strawberry to look like seeds.

I used a drill bit to create indentions, but you can use a toothpick, the prong of a fork, etc. Set side.

Phases of making a clay steam with leaves for strawberries.

Grab a small pinch of clay and roll into a ball and then squish it out flat. This part will become the leaves.

Cut little triangle shapes around the circle to make it look like leaves for the strawberry. See photo.

Then attach to the top of the strawberry.

You can score the top of the strawberry and bottom of the leaves base and then push them together.

Clay circle that gets rolled into a long stem for a clay strawberry.

Then poke a hole through the center (down through the leaves and a little bit into the strawberry).

Then pinch off a very small piece of clay (smaller than the leaves piece) and roll out into a thin tube. This will be the stem.

Poke the stem down into the hole you made in the previous step.

Cut off any excess of the stem so that it’s relatively short.

Twisting wire into an eye loop with a straight end for poking into clay.

Now it’s time to make the hook so it can hang and be an ornament.

Cut a piece of wire 2-3 inches long. And twist the wire into a loop with a tail, for lack of a better way of explaining.

Cut off the long part of the tail (leaving a short length that will stick into the clay).

Air dry clay strawberry with wire loop for hanging.

Press the wire tail into the strawberry, though the leaves, by the stem.

Wait for the air dry clay to dry over night or 24 hours.

Painting clay strawberries with a small paintbrush.

Then, paint the hardened strawberries with acrylic paint or gouache.

I wanted the color to be very paint, so I dry brushed the paint on to make the color more muted.

Add a string or a wire hook to the loop you created in a previous step.

I used a small piece of velvet ribbon for each ornament to add a little flair and then a wire hook to actually hang onto the tree.

More DIY Clay Ideas

Step by step guide for making clay strawberries.

Pile of handmade clay strawberries in various shades of pink.

Clay strawberries with paint palette nearby.

Closeup of clay strawberries in various reds and pinks.

Clay strawberries in a pile shaped like a Christmas tree.

DIY Clay Strawberries (to Use as Ornaments and Gift Toppers)

Clay strawberries coming at ya! For the last few years, I've made a new batch of DIY ornaments and it After I made the clay mushroom ornaments last year, I decided I would do more clay ornaments this year bit was so much fun. And I wanted to make something that Hayes would like, so I created a TON of clay strawberry ornaments. Strawberries are one of his favorite foods and he calls them 'hearts' and it's really cute. But you're here for the ornaments, not the story. So, click through to find out how I made all this strawberry ornaments.
Keyword: chirstmas, clay, diy, holiday cocktail, ornaments, strawberries
Author: Brittni

Ingredients

  • air dry clay and here's a 2nd air dry clay option
  • wire
  • wire cutters and wire pliers
  • something to poke small holes toothpick, etc
  • acrylic paint or gouache and paint brush

Instructions

  • Pinch off a small chunk of air dry clay and roll it into a ball. I like to roll the ball on the table because it will get super smooth that way (no wrinkles or cracks). Then lightly pinch on the end to make the bottom a little more pointed, like a strawberry. Then flip it over and press the top against a flat surface to flatten the top of the strawberry.
  • Poke small holes / indentions all the way around the strawberry to look like seeds. I used a drill bit to create indentions, but you can use a toothpick, the prong of a fork, etc. Set side.
  • Grab a small pinch of clay and roll into a ball and then squish it out flat. This part will become the leaves. Cut little triangle shapes around the circle to make it look like leaves for the strawberry. See photo. Then attach to the top of the strawberry. You can score the top of the strawberry and bottom of the leaves base and then push them together.
  • Then poke a hole through the center (down through the leaves and a little bit into the strawberry.
  • Then pinch off a very small piece of clay (smaller than the leaves piece) and roll out into a thin tube. This will be the stem. Poke the stem down into the hole you made in the previous step. Cut off any excess of the stem so that it's relatively short.
  • Now it's time to make the hook so it can hang and be an ornament. Cut a piece of wire 2-3 inches long. And twist the wire into a loop with a tail, for lack of a better way of explaining. Cut off the long part of the tail (leaving a short length that will stick into the clay). Press the wire tail into the strawberry, though the leaves, by the stem.
  • Wait for the air dry clay to dry over night or 24 hours.
  • Then, paint the hardened strawberries with acrylic paint or gouache. I wanted the color to be very paint, so I dry brushed the paint on to make the color more muted.
  • Add a string or a wire hook to the loop you created in a previous step. I used a small piece of velvet ribbon for each ornament to add a little flair and then a wire hook to actually hang onto the tree.
Tried this recipe?Mention @paperandstitch or tag #paperandstitch!

What else could you use these clay strawberries for?

I was thinking that these would actually be really cute to use for jewelry. Maybe some earrings or little charms for a bracelet or necklace? Just on a smaller scale.

If you decided to create little clay strawberries for jewelry, I would probably use polymer clay instead because it’s a little more durable after it’s baked.

6 comments | Click here to reply

Your blog posts are so thoughtful. Loved it.

Nippon

Great project. Very simple and nice. 🙂
Your photos are amazing!

Dina

This clay strawberries look amazing. You’re so talented.

Ivana Split

Thank you Erin! That means so much to me. I love making new ornaments each year. It’s such a small and kinda silly thing, but it makes me happy. 🙂
-Brittni

Brittni

You did it again Brittni! You have the cutest DIY ornaments 🙂

Erin Harding

These are so adorable!!! I love the shape, color, everything. I need to make these strawberries!! ♥️

Sara’s Art House
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