DIY Air Dry Clay Hearts – Valentine’s Day Craft with Lordy Dordie using Life of Colour Acrylic Paint Pens
Create beautiful handmade air-dry clay hearts to give as gifts, use as decorations, or turn into keepsakes. This simple and fun craft is perfect for all ages!
Difficulty: Easy
Materials You’ll Need:
- Air dry clay (white or coloured)
- Rolling pin
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters (various sizes)
- Baking paper (to work on)
- Wooden skewer or straw (for making holes)
- Lace, textured fabrics, or stamps (optional for imprinting designs)
- Acrylic paints pens/markers – I used Life of Colour Paint Pens
- Ribbon or twine (if making ornaments)
- Clear sealer or Mod Podge (optional, for durability)
Life of Colour Paints Pens are vibrant, high-quality acrylic paint pens designed for mess-free, easy application on various surfaces, including air dry clay, wood, fabric, rocks, and more. Their smooth, opaque coverage makes them perfect for adding fine details, bold colours, and creative designs to your handmade clay hearts. Quick-drying and water-resistant, they’re an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced artists.
Creative Ideas for Your Clay Hearts
💖 Write special messages and use them as gift tags or love notes
💖 Turn them into hanging decorations for a Valentine’s Day tree
💖 Use them as fridge magnets by gluing a small magnet on the back
💖 String them together to create a beautiful garland
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Roll Out the Clay
- Place a sheet of baking paper on your work surface to prevent sticking.
- Take a handful of air-dry clay and knead it gently to soften.
- Using a rolling pin, roll out the clay to about 5mm (¼ inch) thick.
Step 2: Cut Out Heart Shapes
- Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your hearts.
- If you don’t have a cutter, you can draw a heart on paper, cut it out, and use it as a template to trace with a knife.
Step 3: Add Texture & Design (Optional)
- Press lace, fabric, or rubber stamps gently onto the clay to imprint a texture.
- You can also draw patterns using a skewer, fork, or textured objects.
Step 4: Make a Hanging Hole (Optional)
- If you want to hang your hearts, use a skewer or straw to poke a hole near the top.
- Make sure the hole is large enough for ribbon or twine to go through once dry.
Step 5: Let the Clay Dry
- Place your clay hearts on a flat surface and let them air dry for 24-48 hours, depending on thickness.
- Flip them occasionally to prevent curling.
Step 6: Paint & Add Details
- Once dry, colour in your hearts using acrylic paint pens.
- You can use a fine marker to add details like names, patterns, or messages.
Step 7: Seal for Protection (Optional)
- Apply a layer of Mod Podge or clear sealer to give them a slight sheen and protect the paint.
Step 8: Add Finishing Touches
- If you made a hole, thread ribbon or twine through and tie a bow.
- You can also glue small embellishments like beads, glitter, or stickers for extra charm.
Enjoy making your heartfelt clay creations! 🎨✨
Happy creating,
Georgie x
Find More from Georgie Forbes – Lordy Dordie
Georgie Forbes, aka Lordy Dordie, is a colour-loving artist and surface pattern designer who happily creates in her sunny studio in Brisbane, Australia. Georgie’s designs are jam-packed with a contrasting and harmonious blend of vibrant colours, joyful subjects, and playful patterns while being quite detailed with an added twist of fun. Georgie’s creative spirit thrives on pushing colour boundaries, whether it’s a serene landscape, a captivating still life, or a playful abstraction, each subject offers an opportunity to unleash her imagination and create art that resonates with joy and positivity. Georgie’s art is all about spreading positivity and boosting moods, something which she strives for when creating her joyful designs. She loves having hand-painted Christmas ornaments on her tree, as they add a delightful and personal touch. Each ornament brings unique charm, making holiday decorations even more special and meaningful. They also make wonderful, heartfelt gifts for family and friends during the festive season.