Kids Clay Jewelry Crafts

Lots of people are making clay jewelry these days, and there are several books written on the subject. But if you want a project you can do with your kids, there's no need to go to a lot of expense to learn how to make high art clay jewelry. Your kids can make their own ion just a few steps and with stuff you may already have laying Around your home.

Before we get started, you'll need to pick up a few things first. You can find most of these things at your local craft store or online at Joann.com or Amazon.com.

• Polymer Clay
• All Purpose Glue
• Large Paperclip
• Safety Pins
• Cord or Fishing Line
• Water Based Varnish
• Acrylic Paints

We're going to use polymer clay for this project because readily available and not too expensive. It's also great because it can be hardened at low temperatures in your oven. You can even find air-dry clay that you don't need to heat cure. Polymer clay has been found to be safe to use, but if you have any concerns about your kids handling it, pick up some rubber gloves at your local pharmacy.

The first few steps are the same no matter what type of clay jewelry you want to make. Take your clay and form it into the shape you want. You've got a couple ways to do this. You can either go free hand and press the clay into your desired shape or you can use a cookie cutter and form the clay perfectly. Pressing the clay free hand will give your kids a lot more options for creating their jewelry, but the cookie cutter method is quicker and easier.

Once the clay is in the shape you want, your kids can really go to town decorating their fashion jewelry. Use the acrylic paint to add color and designs to the jewelry. They could even use the end of a paintbrush to "carve" designs into the clay. Then go back and fill with paint. Before the clay hardens, they could add small decorative accents like a pebble or rhinestone. After your kids are finished painting their jewelry, cure it in your oven according to the instructions that came with your clay.

Now it's time to turn our creations into jewelry. For a tie tack, glue a paper clip to the back of the clay piece. For a broach, glue a safety pin.

For necklaces, punch a hole through the clay where you want the line to go through. But do this before curing the clay in your oven. After it's cured, run the cord or fishing line through the pieces and tie the two ends together to make your necklace.

Now the last sep is to use a water based varnish as a sealant. Just spread it on with a brush like you would paint. Let it dry and you're done. These are just a few ideas to get you started. Use you imagination, and you'll come up with lots of other ideas for jewelry your kids can make themselves. And as always, have fun and enjoy the time spec t together crafting.