How Do You Make Clay Rings With Air Dry Clay?

Making clay rings with air dry clay is a fun and creative hobby for all ages. Air dry clay, also known as modeling clay, is an easy material to work with and requires no baking or firing to harden and set. With simple household tools and materials, you can handcraft beautiful and unique rings out of air dry clay.

The clay ring making process involves choosing an appropriate clay, softening the clay, shaping the desired ring band design, adding embellishments if desired, allowing rings to fully dry and harden, finishing the rings with paint or varnish, and making any final adjustments to the size or shape before wearing. With some practice and experimentation, you’ll be able to create custom clay rings to keep or give as heartfelt gifts.

This guide will walk through the entire process of making clay rings using air dry clay, from start to finish.

Choose Your Clay

There are a few common types of air dry clay that work well for handmade jewelry and DIY clay rings. The most popular options include:

Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is very versatile and easy to work with. It has a smooth, doughy texture that’s easy to shape. Polymer clay dries by baking in the oven, so it will stay pliable until you bake it. Baking hardens the clay by causing a chemical reaction that cures the plasticizers. It dries to a hard, durable finish.

Cornstarch Clay

Cornstarch clay is made by mixing cornstarch with glue and water. It air dries to a hard finish and has a smooth, malleable texture similar to playdoh. Cornstarch clay is inexpensive and very accessible. However, it can dry more brittle than polymer clay.

Paper Clay

Paper clay incorporates cellulose fiber from paper, making it very lightweight. It air dries to a hard, durable finish. The paper gives it a rougher, more textured feel than polymer or cornstarch clay. Paper clay is also more absorbent.

For beginners, polymer clay or cornstarch clay are good choices. Polymer clay offers versatility in colors and finishes, while cornstarch clay is inexpensive and easy to find.

Tools and Materials

When making clay rings, it’s important to have the right tools and materials on hand. Here are some of the key items you’ll want to gather:

• Clay sculpting tools – These specialized tools like metal sculpting tools, plastic sculpting tools, clay rollers, and loop tools allow you to manipulate and shape the clay. They come in various shapes and sizes for different effects.

• Toothpicks or skewers – These are great for creating holes, etching designs, and molding fine details.

• Straws or pencils – Use these to poke holes for hanging rings or creating ring bands.

• Work surface – Cover your work area with a silicone mat, plastic sheet, or other smooth surface that’s easy to clean. This prevents the clay from sticking.

Gathering the right simple tools and supplies will make the clay ring making process easier and give you the ability to add special touches.

Make the Clay Soft and Pliable

One of the most important steps in working with air dry clay is making sure the clay is soft and pliable before you start shaping it. Air dry clays can become quite stiff when exposed to air which makes them difficult to manipulate. Here are some tips for softening your clay:

Knead the clay vigorously with your hands for several minutes. The warmth and pressure from your hands will help soften the clay and make it more malleable. Fold and press the clay repeatedly, working it until it is smooth, soft, and free of lumps or cracks.

Add a small amount of water. Using a spray bottle, mist the clay with water while kneading. The water will be absorbed into the clay which helps soften it. Be careful not to over-saturate the clay or it may become too sticky.

Store unused clay in an airtight bag or container. This prevents the clay from drying out. When you’re ready to use it again, just knead the clay for a few minutes until soft and pliable.

Taking the time to properly condition your clay will make the sculpting process much easier. Soft clay holds its shape better as you mold it and allows for finer detailing in your finished piece.

Shape the Ring Band

Once you have softened the clay and have a pliable lump, it’s time to shape the actual ring band. There are a few steps to this process:

First, roll the clay into a snake shape by rolling it back and forth on a flat surface. Apply even pressure as you roll to create an elongated, tubular shape. The snake should be approximately 1/4 inch thick. Make the snake a bit longer than your desired ring circumference.

Next, wrap the snake around your ring mandrel, which is a tapered rod used to help size rings. Overlap the ends slightly and press them together, smoothing over the seam. Twist the clay snake as you wrap it around the mandrel so there are no gaps between the coils.

Gently roll the ring band on the mandrel to smooth out the seam. Blend the overlapped clay together and shape into a uniform band. Check for any cracks or weak points and massage the clay to seal them. Continue smoothing until you have a seamless ring shape.

Slide the finished ring band off the mandrel and set it aside to firm up before decorating.

Embellish the Ring

Once you have shaped the basic ring band, you can start personalizing it by adding textures, patterns, and embellishments. This is where you can get creative and make the ring unique. Here are some techniques for embellishing an air dry clay ring:

Adding textures with tools:

Use clay tools like roller stamps, silicone molds, or even the end of a paintbrush to imprint patterns onto the ring. Press gently and rock the tool back and forth to leave an impression. Some fun textures to try are polka dots, wavy lines, flowers, stars, etc. This gives the ring more visual interest.

Making patterns by pressing objects into clay:

Look around for small objects to press into the clay like beads, sequins, shells, or buttons. Press them gently into the surface of the ring to leave an imprint. You can also roll pieces of lace through the clay using a brayer or acrylic roller to pick up the lace pattern.

Attaching clay embellishments:

Make small embellishments out of clay scraps like flowers, leaves, animals or shapes. Attach these to the ring by scoring and slipping – scratching the surface of the embellishment and ring lightly with a knife then applying a few drops of water. Press the embellishment onto the ring and smooth the seam gently with your finger.

Let the Ring Dry

After shaping and decorating your clay ring, it’s time to let it dry fully before wearing it. Air dry clay dries through evaporation, so it’s important not to seal it in an airtight container or plastic bag. The drying time will vary based on the type of clay you used and the thickness of your ring:

• Polymer clay rings should be allowed to dry for 24-48 hours if the ring is less than 1/4 inch thick. Thicker rings may need 72 hours or more.
• Air dry pottery clay rings need 4-5 days to fully cure if less than 1/2 inch thick. Rings 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick can take 5-7 days to cure.
• Modeling clay rings require 1-3 days drying time if less than 1/2 inch thick. Allow 3-5 days for thicker clay.

As the clay dries, you may see small cracks or a light color change. This is normal. Once the ring is fully dry, the clay will be hard and durable. Avoid wearing or handling the ring too soon, as wet clay is fragile and can easily become misshapen.

Let your imagination run free when shaping and decorating your ring, then exercise a bit of patience waiting for it to fully dry and cure before showing it off!

Finish the Ring

Once the ring has dried completely, it’s time to finish it to get it ready to wear. There are a few steps you’ll want to take:

Sand the Ring

Take a piece of fine grit sandpaper and gently sand the ring, especially along the edges and inner band. This will smooth out any rough areas and make the ring more comfortable to wear. Sand in a circular motion, being careful not to sand away too much of the clay.

Paint or Glaze the Ring

If you want to add color to your clay ring, you can paint it with acrylic paint or use a glaze. Apply paint in thin layers, allowing it to dry between coats. For glaze, dip the ring in or brush glaze on evenly. Let the glaze dry fully before continuing.

Seal the Ring

Once painted or glazed, seal the ring with a clear acrylic sealer or varnish. This will protect the finish and give your ring a nice glossy shine. Apply 2-3 thin, even coats, allowing each coat to dry fully before adding the next. Let the ring cure for 24 hours before wearing.

Make Adjustments

After the ring has fully dried, you may need to make some adjustments to perfect the shape and smooth any rough edges.

If your clay ring has warped or changed shape slightly while drying, you can carefully reshape it by gently bending or squeezing the clay. Be careful not to apply too much pressure or you may crack the clay. Reshaping is easiest to do within the first few hours after drying while the clay still retains some flexibility.

Examine the ring for any rough or sharp edges that may irritate skin or snag on fabrics. Use a nail file, sandpaper, or sanding stick to smooth down any rough areas. Start with a coarser grit to file down the edges and then use progressively finer grits to achieve a smooth finish. Sand lightly and keep the ring’s shape in mind as you sand. Apply a very fine grit sandpaper as the final sanding to polish the ring.

Make any final tweaks to get the shape and sizing precisely how you envisioned. The clay will harden fully as it cures over the next few days. Wear the ring for short periods at first to ensure it is comfortable and has been properly smoothed of any sharp edges.

Wear and Care

Air dry clay rings are durable but still require some care and maintenance for longevity. Here are some tips for protecting your clay ring and keeping it looking its best:

Durability of Clay Rings

The clay will fully harden and become water-resistant once cured, but it’s not indestructible. Avoid submerging the ring in water or wearing it during activities where it can bump against hard surfaces. Sudden impacts may cause chipping or cracks. Handle the ring gently and store it carefully when not being worn.

Protecting from Damage

Prevent scratches by avoiding contact with rough or sharp surfaces. Remove the ring before gardening, household chores, exercising, etc. Wear gloves if handling chemicals that could stain the clay. If painting the ring, use a sealant like polyurethane for protection.

Cleaning Tips

Gently dust the ring to remove any dirt. Use a soft damp cloth to wipe away marks or stains. Avoid submerging in water or using chemical cleaners. If needed, a barely damp q-tip can help clean crevices or engraved areas. Let the ring fully dry before wearing or storing.