The Perfect Gift: Clay Chandelier Mobile

Text and photos by Amy Christie for Design Mom.

Let me guess: someone you know is having a baby, or about to adopt, or is decorating a nursery, and you’re on the hunt for a baby gift that will knock their socks off. May I humbly suggest a pretty little mobile, hand made in their very favorite colors?

They can hang it above the changing table, or the bassinet — there is a calming peace that comes with the quiet twirl of a mobile.

Or maybe they’ll hang it in the corner of the family room to add some visual interest to the space.

With air dry clay, an embroidery hoop, string and some paint, the possibilities are endless.

Supplies:

-air-dry clay
-brayer, rolling pin
-ruler
-cutting blade, shape cutters
-awl
-paint
-brushes
-embroidery hoop, just the interior loop
-stringing material

First, roll out the air-dry clay to your desired thickness. Cut out or punch out your desired shapes. Make sure to add a hole to thread the string through.

Lay them out to fully dry. Dry times will vary between clay brands so follow the manufacturer’s directions.

While the clay is drying, paint the embroidery hoops. And once the clay pieces are dry, paint them as well.

Once the paint on everything has dried, add crisscrossing loops on the one side of the hoop to act as hangers. Having these in place before added the shapes is helpful.

Begin stringing up the shapes on the hoop. They can be hung any which way you’d like, just pay attention to the balance.

Then hang where you’d like.

P.S. — We love making things! Find all sorts of great tutorials and projects here.