How to Make Modern Polymer Clay Earrings

Making polymer clay earrings is so fun and easy.

In this post, I’ll share all my tips and tricks to make crafting as enjoyable and worry-free as possible.

A few months ago, I got completely absorbed in making polymer clay earrings when I figured out how to make them. I watched videos on YouTube and read lots of different articles. I stocked up on modeling clay, and I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned with you.

Why make polymer clay earrings?

You’ll learn something new, create jewelry exactly the way you want it, and let your creativity run free. I also like that you can make beautiful birthday gifts this way.

With just a little practice, you can make them really beautiful, and they make wonderful gifts. I love keeping a small stash in my craft room to give as a hostess gift, a thank-you gift, or a little birthday present..

Supplies for polymer clay earrings

Here’s a list of my favorite supplies for making polymer clay earrings. You can easily find many of these supplies at your local craft store. If you can’t find the exact same ones, alternatives will work too..

Other items you’ll want to have on hand:

rubbing alcohol paper towels cookie sheet parchment paper

How to make polymer clay earrings

Making polymer clay earrings is fairly simple. The process takes some practice and refining, but it’s something anyone can master. Here are step-by-step instructions for making polymer clay earrings.

Prepare your work surface

You’ll want a hard, flat surface for rolling and cutting the clay. I like the acrylic plastic sheets included in the roller set. I also like to roll it out on parchment paper. So if I’m using a roller, I place a small piece of parchment paper on top of the acrylic sheet and roll out the clay on it. If I’m using a pasta machine, I roll out a piece and then place it on the board with parchment paper to cut out the shapes.

Step 1: Warm the clay

When you take polymer clay out of the package, you need to warm it in your hands so it softens and becomes pliable..

TIP: Make sure your hands are clean, and keep a paper towel and some alcohol or baby wipes nearby. You’ll also want to wash your hands when changing colors. Work the clay in your hands until it is soft enough to roll out.

Step 2: Roll Out the Clay

There are a few ways to roll out clay. I first bought a basic clay kit with a roller, which works. After making a few batches of earrings and watching videos of people using pasta rollers or clay rollers, I found someone selling a pasta machine on Facebook Marketplace, so I bought it.

I really like it because it gives the clay an even thickness, which is hard to achieve with a roller. My friend, who sells her clay earrings, bought a roller made specifically for clay, and it works great!

Step 3: Cut Shapes from the Clay

This is the fun, creative part! I have a few different clay-cutting sets that are similar to cookie cutters, but smaller. You only need a few basic shapes.

I have two sets of cutters that I really like: a metal Ateco set and a set of small spring-loaded cutters. The spring-loaded cutters are made for fondant, but they work great with clay, too.

One of the tricky parts of working with polymer clay is trying not to leave fingerprints on the clay as you push it out of the cutter. That can be difficult sometimes. Spring-loaded plunger cutters pop the clay right out, which is so nice..

Before I start working on a new batch of earrings, I get inspiration from all the amazing makers who post online. I have a Pinterest board just for clay earrings! Check it out HERE.

Step 4: Make Holes in the Clay for Jewelry Findings

After cutting out the shapes, use a clay tool to make holes where you’ll attach the jump rings. For example, if you’re making stud earrings, you don’t need any holes. But if you want a bottom piece and a top piece, you’ll need a hole in each piece so you can connect them with a ring.

Until recently, I always used a tool to make holes in the clay before baking it, but I’ve started using a Dremel to drill holes after baking the clay, and I LOVE the clean result. If you have a Dremel or want to get serious about making earrings, it’s definitely worth getting one.

Step 5: Bake the Clay

After cutting out the shapes and making the holes, place the clay on parchment paper and a baking sheet. If you’re already cutting on parchment paper, you can simply lift the paper and move it to the baking sheet so you don’t have to touch the clay again.

I always try to minimize how many times I touch the clay! Bake the clay according to the package instructions. Different brands require different temperatures and baking times, so always follow the baking time and temperature listed on the package..

This is also a good reason to use the same brand for every batch you make.

Step 6: Finish with Jewelry Findings and Earring Backs

When the clay comes out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. Then you can put the earrings together, the final step! Most of the time, I use simple jump rings to connect two pieces, then glue on the earring backs with jewelry glue.

Jump rings are simple connectors. All you need are some jewelry pliers to bend the rings open and then closed again after you’ve placed the clay pieces on the ring. If you’re new to jewelry making, check out this article, which shows you how to open and close jump rings.

When I finish making earrings, I like to put them on earring cards so they stay in pairs. I also bought boxes to give them as gifts. As you can see in the picture below, they make great gifts for teachers! I gave them with a chocolate bar to my children’s teachers for Valentine’s Day.

The possibilities for making polymer clay earrings are endless. Making polymer clay earrings. If you can’t find the color you want, you can mix clays to create a new color. You can add other jewelry findings, such as metal pieces, to mix in with the clay, which can look really cool.

I’d love it if you tagged me in photos of your earrings on Instagram (@handmadeintheheartland) or Facebook!