Mini Bowls

To produce shallow clay bowls, press lace into clay, then remove. Using a round cookie cutter, cut out an appealing clay section, push it into a small glass bowl and bake. Remove clay from bowl after baking. These small bowls add an artisanal look to any vignette or can stand alone as pretty catchalls.

Materials

Waxed paper
White polymer modeling clay
Lace fabric or ribbon

Tools

Rolling pin
4-inch diameter round cookie cutter
Small oven-safe glass bowls
Baking sheet

Instructions

On waxed paper, use a rolling pin to flatten clay to ¼ inch thick or thinner. Lay lace over clay. Using fingers or rolling pin, gently impress fabric into clay. Remove lace.

Preheat oven according to clay package directions. Use a cookie cutter to cut circles from lace-impressed clay. Carefully place each circle in the bottom of a small oven-safe bowl. Place bowls on baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until clay is hardened. Remove clay from glass bowls.

Gift Tags

A thoughtfully wrapped gift becomes even more personal when you add a custom gift tag. After rolling out our clay, we impressed it with vintage lace and then cut a fun tag shape. Once the clay is baked, add your “to”- and “from” with a colorful permanent marker.

Materials

Waxed paper
White polymer modeling clay
Lace fabric or ribbon
Paper gift tag
Ribbon
Fine-tip permanent marker

Tools

Rolling pin
Cutting mat
Craft knife
Clay needle or kitchen skewer
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Scissors

Instructions

On waxed paper, use a rolling pin to flatten clay to ¼ inch thick or thinner. Lay lace over clay. Using fingers or rolling pin, gently impress fabric into clay. Remove lace.

Preheat oven according to clay package directions. Move lace-impressed clay onto cutting mat. Place paper gift tag on top of clay. Use a craft knife to cut along the outline of the tag. Repeat; making more clay tags, if desired. Set aside unused clay. Use clay needle or kitchen skewer to make a hole at the top of each clay tag. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30 minutes or until hardened.

After clay tags are cool, string ribbon through holes. Use a fine-tip permanent marker to address tags.

Napkin Rings

We’re always looking for easy ways to dress up a table and this fun idea brings it all together. We cut our lace-pressed clay into 1×5-inch strips, pulled ends around to form circles, then baked with end sides down for 30 minutes. The final outcome is darling! Give a set with elegant cloth napkins.

Materials

Waxed paper
White polymer modeling clay
Lace fabric or ribbon

Tools

Rolling pin
Cutting mat
Metal ruler
Craft knife
Baking sheet
Parchment paper

Instructions

On waxed paper, use a rolling pin to flatten clay to ¼ inch thick or thinner. Lay lace over clay. Using fingers or rolling pin, gently impress fabric into clay. Remove lace.

Preheat oven according to clay package directions. Transfer lace-impressed clay onto cutting mat. Use ruler and craft knife to cut a 1×5-inch rectangle. With the lace imprint to the outside, join short rectangle ends together to form a circle. Smooth seam with fingers. Stand the holder one end down on a sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 30 minutes.

Votive Holders

Light up the holiday season with these cute mini tea-light holders. Using crafts paint, add color to the inside of the holder after the clay has been baked. Group several holders together for a dramatic effect, or set them throughout your home to add glimmers of light.

Materials

Waxed paper
White polymer modeling clay
Lace fabric or ribbon
Craft paint (optional)
Tea-light candle

Tools

Rolling pin
Cutting mat
2-inch diameter round cookie cutter
Metal ruler
Craft knife
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Small paintbrush (optional)

Instructions

On waxed paper, use a rolling pin to flatten clay to ¼ inch thick or thinner. Lay lace over clay. Using fingers or rolling pin, gently impress fabric into clay. Remove lace.

Preheat oven according to clay package directions. Place clay onto cutting mat. Use cookie cutter to cut out circle. Set aside. Use ruler and craft knife to cut 8×1½-inch rectangle. Wrap the rectangle along the perimeter of the 2-inch circle. Join short ends of the rectangle where they meet. Smooth all seams with fingers. Place votive on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 30 minutes, or until hardened.

After votive holder has cooled, apply a light layer of craft paint to the inside or outside of holder, if desired.

Place a tealight in the center of the holder.

Tree Decor

Celebrate Christ at Christmas with these simple tree ornaments. Using a cookie cutter and pretty ribbon, we turned our embossed clay into gift-worthy adornments. Place a set on your own tree or share with friends.

Materials

Waxed paper
White polymer modeling clay
Lace fabric or ribbon
Star shape cookie cutter
Ribbon

Tools

Rolling pin
Clay needle or kitchen skewer
Baking sheet
Parchment paper

Instructions

On waxed paper, use a rolling pin to flatten clay to ¼ inch thick or thinner. Lay lace over clay. Using fingers or rolling pin, gently impress fabric into clay. Remove lace.

Preheat oven according to clay package directions. Use a cookie cutter to cut a star or other desired shape from lace-impressed clay. Set aside unused clay. Use a clay needle or kitchen skewer to puncture a hole at the top of the star. Bake for 30 minutes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let cool. Thread ribbon through hole; tie ribbon ends together.

Cup Coasters

Give your mug a pretty spot to rest. We love that these coasters are easy, practical and beautiful. For a lighter design, use your fingers. To achieve a deeper imprint, use a rolling pin to press the lace into the clay.

Materials

Waxed paper
White polymer modeling clay
Lace fabric or ribbon

Tools

Rolling pin
Cutting mat
Metal ruler
Craft knife
Parchment paper
Baking sheet

Instructions

On waxed paper, use a rolling pin to flatten clay to ¼ inch thick or thinner. Lay lace over clay. Using fingers or rolling pin, gently impress fabric into clay. Remove lace.

Preheat oven according to clay package directions. Place lace-impressed clay on cutting mat. Use a ruler and craft knife to cut 4×4-inch square. Repeat; making more coasters, if desired. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake coasters for 30 minutes or until hardened.