I’ve always been a fan of working with clay. In high school I somehow managed to win some art awards for the things I made (it still feels so strange to call them pieces of art). So after over three years of not touching clay, I decided to give it a go by making these little tealight holders out of Sculpey inspired by these cute clay pots.
![Clay Houses](https://www.turningithome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/14-clay-houses.png)
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:
A few packets of Sculpey (2-3 per house depending on the size)
Spray paint
Craft paint
A stylus tool (or a sewing needle, which is what I used)
Disclaimer: I have no idea what I’m really doing.
To begin, make templates by cutting out and taping together little paper houses.
![Clay House Template](https://www.turningithome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2-template.png)
Then, roll out the polymer clay to about 1/4-inch thick and use the templates to trace the house shapes onto the clay using a stylus or, in my case, a needle. I lightly traced the shapes onto the clay at first, then went back and pushed all the way through the second time around. At this point, cut out a door and windows on both the front and back pieces.
![Clay House Template Trace](https://www.turningithome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/4-trace.png)
You should have a total of five pieces; a front and back, two sides, and a bottom piece. Start piecing them together by lining up the sides with the bottom and using spare clay to adhere them together. I didn’t get any pictures of this step but Claire does a great job showing how it’s done – with official tools! – for any visual learners.
![Clay House Breakdown](https://www.turningithome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/7-piecestext.png)
Now that the hard part is over, bake the clay according to the package directions. And just to keep it real, this is what happened when I rolled my clay out too thin. So I made an identical one and now we can pretend that never happened, right?
![Broken Clay House](https://www.turningithome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/13-1.png)
The front and back sides of the house may come out of the oven slouching. If they do, prop them up straight before the clay hardens. I used two glass cups and that worked just fine.
![Clay House](https://www.turningithome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/8-bake.png)
To give them a more porcelain look I painted the “exteriors” using high gloss spray paint after they cooled. I also painted the inside of them gold using Martha Stewart’s metallic craft paint. They are so far from perfect, but I really like how they came out.
![Clay Houses](https://www.turningithome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/13-littlehouse.png)
Here’s a peek at how the inside looks, which may give you an idea of how I attached the pieces together.
![Inside Clay House](https://www.turningithome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/9-inside.png)
I especially like how they look holding tealight candles. It kind of distracts from the sloppily cut windows, don’t you think?
![Clay Houses](https://www.turningithome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/16-houses.png)
![Clay Houses Candles](https://www.turningithome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/19-candle.png)
Overall this project was pretty easy. I have to admit though, Sculpey is a whole different beast than potters clay. I’m horrible with it – obviously – and found it pretty unforgiving. I’d pick regular clay over polymer clay any day but since I don’t have access to a kiln, I’ll stick with using Sculpey.
I think they're cute! Also, you might like to try air dry clay, it's a little easier to work with than polymer clay but also doesn't require a kiln!
Thanks, Alicia! I'll definitely try air dry clay next time, easier is my cup of tea!
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I love it. Thank you for sharing!
Did you bake it all in one piece?? ( put together)
Yep!
I’m busy making a house similar but think I’ve got measurements wrong but it’s my first attempt at making a house. I’ve done tea light holder door plaques keyrings coasters. All from air dry clay. My favourite hobby. Yours looks great.