DIY Clay Nursery Mobile or Wall Hanging
I have two friends with new babies and a sister who is expecting, so instead of scour the interwebs and stores for gifts that may or may not be exactly what I would want to give (and would probably cost more than I want to spend), I decided that I'd make their gifts myself. I've actually had this project idea up on my DIY idea wall for half a year, so I was thrilled to actually find the time to try it out. It ended up being so fun and easy to make that it seems only fair that I share a tutorial with you all so you have a sweet DIY gift in your arsenal next time you have a special baby to spoil.
Psst...You can make at least three different mobiles with just the one package of clay. Personalized handmade gifts for less than $3 a piece = Awesome!
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- Printed template (download above)
- Scissors
- Rolling pin
- Craft knife
- Gel or felt-tipped pen (a finer tipped pen will work better than one with a large tip)
- Waxed paper for freezer paper (for protecting your work surface)
- Premier Stone Clay - available at craft stores such as Michael's or online
- Air-tight container or sealable plastic bag (for clay storage)
- Small glass of water (optional)
- Scrap paper
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For finishing you will also need:
- Twine or embroidery floss
- Wooden skewer
- Low heat hot glue gun OR Elmer's Paper Craft Gel Glue
Cut out your paper templates along the outside of the grey border.
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Cover a smooth hard working area with a piece of wax or freezer paper (freezer paper, waxed side up works the best). Use your rolling pin to flatten your clay into an area that will fit at least one of your template shapes. The finished piece should be rolled to about 1/4 inch thick.
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Place a template onto the prepped clay and use the tip of your craft knife to carefully trace around the outside of the design. You don't need to worry about cutting all the way through the clay the first time around. Once you've traced the design, use your craft knife to cut off the excess clay. Be sure to store all extra clay inside an airtight container while working so that it doesn't dry out.
Helpful bear-cutting tip: I found that it is easiest to cut the bear out by making as many straight cuts as possible. You can then round off the proper edges once you've removed the template.
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Your cut out pieces might look a little bit jagged. No need to worry! Smooth out the edges by dipping your fingertip into water and gently rubbing along all the outside edges (you can smooth the surface as well if you'd like).
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Once you've cut and smoothed out all your pieces, arrange them on top of your waxed paper in the order that you would like to hang them in. You can use the same layout that I used, or create your own arrangement.
Use a wooden skewer to pierce a hole into each piece where you will need to attach your twine for hanging. This hole will give you a place to glue your twine into later on, so be sure that you don't skip this step.
The hole-piercing configuration I used was: Bear: 2 holes - One at the top center, and one at the bottom center | Cloud: 4 holes - One at the top center, three spaced along the bottom edge | Raindrops: 1 hole - At the top of each droplet.
Now the hardest part...waiting for the pieces to dry. Start by allowing the clay to dry on a flat surface (I suggest using your waxed paper) and then after an hour or so, prop the pieces up against something to allow air to circulate around them. For best results, allow everything to dry for at least 12-24 hours or until completely dry to the touch.
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Woohoo! They're dry! Now you get to add character to your mobile! Use a pen to create a design inside your clay pieces. For this project I wanted to keep it super simple, but you can be as creative as you'd like.
You can even fill in your shapes with colored pencils (or acrylic paint) if you'd like!
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I decided to just use pen on mine. Make sure to create a design on both sides if you want the finished project to be used as a hanging mobile (that way there is always something sweet showing).
You can also include a child's name or a sweet greeting (i.e. "Welcome") on the cloud.
Tip: If your pen is drying out while you are working, you can fix the problem by scribbling a bit on a piece of scrap paper.
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Arrange your pieces again how you'd like them to be while hanging. Now it's time to prep the twine. First create a loop for hanging the mobile. Make sure your knot is not too bulky.
You can determine the length of twine needed for each section by measuring it up against the arranged mobile. Now create the twine pieces for each hanging section by knotting both ends of each twine portion.
Place the completed twine portions down into the right spaces as you work.
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Plug your glue gun in or get out your Elmer's Paper Craft Gel Glue (this particular glue adheres to the clay very well and dries fairly quickly). Place a small dab of glue on one of the holes in your piece. Use your wooden skewer to push one knotted end of your twine into the hole with the glue. Repeat this process until you've attached your entire mobile together. It is best to leave the mobile laying down on your working surface while you are working so that the glue sets properly.
Bonus idea: It also occurred to me that you could make some pretty adorable Holiday ornaments by just making the bear portion of this DIY!
Once the glue has dried completely your mobile is ready to be hung up or given as a gift!
A special note: Please be sure that mobiles are hung out of reach of babies and small children. This project is meant to be an art piece, not a toy...and therefore is not strong enough to withstand a little ones' attention.
Tip: I recommend making several mobiles all at once, then you can tuck the extra ones away until you're in need of another baby gift. Just fill in the details with a pen when the time is right!
43 Lovely Comments | Email Article | found in Babies + Kids + Families, D.I.Y. + Projects, Tutorials Print Article | Share This | 
| by Ez Wednesday, August 1, 2012 
Reader Comments (43)
This is darling.
Eeeeep! Is this what's in the box??!!?? I'm so excited to get home and rip it open :)
Wow that's so cute og Nice! Wondeful idea, and just love your drawings!
@Marichelle - That first box is actually a different gift. I'm sending you one of these today. Maybe it will be there by the time you get back from your trip! :-) xo
Simply adorable.
Thank you Monsterscircus, Jee, and Andrea! xo
So, so darn cute + creative! The sleeping bear is just adorable!
Wow, I love it. I'm going to save this idea because baby gifts are always so predictable and this is a fun different gift that everyone will love!
Ohhhh it's so sweeeet!! Thank u for this DIY
this is SUCH a great idea! i've been wanting to hand-make a mobile for such a long time now, but didn't really know how to do it without having to stitch something together (i'm fairly clumsy when it comes to sewing)...this gives me the perfect opportunity to experiment! thank you for always posting such great creative ideas...you always inspire me. :)
(and i'm totally stealing this idea for xmas ornaments!!)
So cute and creative. I love it. Eli
Super cute!! And this looks totally doable. I love the easy drawing and coloring onto the clay because I'm not the best painter!
This is utterly cute EZ!!! awwww
What a cute idea! Is the rolling pin you used specially for crafts or will any rolling pin do the trick?
Aww, that bear is SO cute :)
You have outdone yourself! Super cute, inexpensive to make, AND relatively easy? Sign me up! ;) xo Laura
That's a great question Josephine! I used a silicone rolling pin (I think that's what it is), and it's great because it's created to be non-stick. However if you wanted to use a traditional rolling pin, it would probably work fine. Just to be on the safe side, you could place a piece of freezer paper (waxed side down) on top of the clay before flattening.
Um...what?? This is the cutest thing I've seen in a long time! You're a good friend to have! Well done.
This is so cute! I think I'd love to have it hanging at my desk--and then maybe make it for friends with new little ones at some point. I love it.
LOVE this! I love working with clay, and your projects are so sweet and clean/simple. Thanks for the DIY!
SO adorable! Thanks for sharing:) Your hand drawn illustrations are so amazing . . . I wish I had that talent!
What a lovely DIY project! I really love the little bear on his sleeping side...☺
That is freaking adorable! I love your drawings :)
Thank you guys so much for all of your sweet comments! I'm so thrilled that you like the project and am humbled by your kind compliments. xo Ez
Brilliant. Truly. Just love this to bits. Can't wait to make one :)