DIY Jewelry: Cast a Piece of Jewelry
Make a cast pendant using air-dry clay and a simple mold, then sand, paint, and seal your handmade jewelry for wearing.
Step-by-step guide to cast a pendant using air-dry clay
how to casting jewelry - jewelry casting tutorial for beginners
Step 1
Lay a sheet of parchment paper on your table to protect the surface.
Step 2
Tear off a small piece of air-dry clay and knead it until it feels soft and pliable.
Step 3
Press the clay firmly into your chosen mold so it fills the whole shape.
Step 4
Use a plastic knife to trim any extra clay so the edges are neat with the mold rim.
Step 5
Smooth the top and edges of the clay in the mold with a damp finger or a small tool.
Step 6
Poke a small hole near the top of the clay shape using a toothpick so a cord can go through later.
Step 7
Gently lift the clay piece out of the mold and place it on the parchment paper to dry.
Step 8
Let the clay piece dry completely at room temperature for about 24 hours or until it is hard.
Step 9
Lightly sand the dried piece with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough spots and wipe away dust with a paper towel.
Step 10
Paint your pendant with your chosen colours and let the paint dry completely.
Step 11
Brush on a thin layer of clear sealer and let it dry; then thread the necklace cord or ribbon through the hole and tie a secure knot to finish your jewelry.
Step 12
Share a photo of your finished handmade pendant on DIY.org so everyone can see your creation.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have air-dry clay or a store-bought mold?
You can use oven-bake polymer clay (bake per package instructions) instead of air-dry clay and household items like bottle caps or silicone ice-cube trays as molds, placing your work on parchment paper or a silicone mat as in step 1.
The clay stuck to the mold or tore when I poked the hole—how do I fix it?
To prevent sticking or repair tears, dust the mold with a little cornstarch before pressing (step 3), smooth and reinforce torn areas with a damp finger, and lift onto the parchment paper to dry fully (steps 6–8).
How can I adapt the steps for younger or older kids?
For younger children use larger shallow molds, have an adult pre-poke the toothpick hole and use a dull plastic knife for trimming (steps 3–5), while older kids can try oven-bake clay and more detailed sanding and painting (steps 8–10).
How can we personalize or upgrade the pendant after making the basic piece?
Before drying press in tiny beads or a metal charm (step 3), sand after it hardens (step 9), apply multiple coats of clear sealer (step 10), or add a jump ring and more decorative cord instead of ribbon for a professional finish.
Watch videos on how to cast a pendant using air-dry clay
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Facts about jewelry making for kids
🎨 Air-dry clay hardens in the air—thin pieces can dry in about a day, while thicker pendants may take 2–3 days to fully set.
🐚 Archaeologists have found shell beads and pendants worn by people over 100,000 years ago—humans have loved jewelry for a very long time!
🪄 Everyday items like buttons, leaves, and coins make excellent simple molds that can add cool textures and tiny details to your piece.
⏳ Sanding from coarse to fine grit (for example 120 → 220 → 400) turns a rough lump into a smooth, polished-looking pendant.
💧A clear acrylic sealer or varnish helps painted clay jewelry keep its color and become more splash-resistant for wearing.
How do you make a DIY cast pendant using air-dry clay?
What materials and tools do I need to cast a clay pendant?
What ages is casting a clay pendant suitable for?
What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for DIY clay jewelry?
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