Make Handmade Air Dry Clay Labels for Your Soap Dispenser

As the crisp autumn air settles in, it’s time to slow down and connect with nature. Working with clay offers a sensory, warming, and enjoyable experience that perfectly complements the season’s rhythms. By crafting your clay labels for your dish and hand soap dispensers, you’re not only solving a household dilemma (determining which soap is which) but also engaging in a sustainable and satisfying activity. Making these labels by hand brings a sense of accomplishment, relaxation, and joy, providing clarity and organization to a daily task that can often feel mundane. Choosing a leaf-shaped cookie cutter adds a whimsical, seasonal touch, but you can use any shape that resonates with your style and home decor. Let’s dive into creating these charming and functional clay labels together.

Materials List

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• Air-dry clay
• Rolling pin or clay roller
• Parchment paper
• Leaf-shaped cookie cutter (or other shape)
• Straw or paintbrush
• Letter stamps
• Watercolor paints
• Paintbrush
• Dish for water
• Yarn, string, or ribbon

Where to Find the Best Soap Dispensers

Here are the soap dispensers we LOVE and feature in this article. We have owned and used these soap dispensers since 2018, and they are sturdy and steadfast. This post recommendation is not sponsored. We just adore these soap dispensers and think you will too.

Instructions

1. Preparing the Clay:
   • Take a portion of air-dry clay, about the size of a golf ball, and knead it until it’s soft and pliable.
   • Place the clay on a clean, flat surface. Use the rolling pin to flatten the clay until is about 1/2 an inch thick and at least 6 inches in diameter.
2. Cutting Out Shapes:
   • Use your cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the clay. You can use leaf shapes for a natural look or choose other shapes like hearts or stars.
3. Making Holes:
   • Use a straw or the handle of a paintbrush to gently poke a small hole at the top of each clay shape. This will be used to attach the yarn, string, or ribbon.
4. Adding Details (Optional):
   • If desired, use letter stamps to add words to your clay labels. For this project, I stamped the word “Dish” on one leaf and “Hand” on the second leaf. You can also use a toothpick or the tip of a paintbrush to create intricate designs.
5. Drying the Clay:
   • Place your clay creations on a baking sheet or plate and let them air dry completely. Depending on the thickness and humidity, this may take several hours or even overnight.
6. Painting the Labels:
   • Once the clay is dry, use watercolor paints to add color and patterns to your labels. Get creative with different color combinations and designs.
   • If you have added stamped letters, paint the entire label shape first and then go back over the letters with a darker or contrasting color. The paint will settle into the reservoir of the indentations the letter stamps made, which will keep the pigment from spilling over.
7. Attaching the Labels:
   • Cut pieces of yarn, string, or ribbon to a suitable length.
   • Thread the yarn, string, or ribbon through the hole in each clay label.
   • Tie the ends securely to create a loop for hanging. Attach the labels to your soap dispensers.

Tips and Tricks

• If the clay is too dry and difficult to work with, add a few drops of water and knead again.
• To create a smooth finish on your clay labels, use a damp cloth to gently polish them after drying.
• For a more durable finish, you can seal your clay labels with a clear varnish or sealant.

Get The Most From Making Clay Labels

By crafting your own clay labels for your dish and hand soap dispensers, you’ve not only added a touch of personalized charm to your kitchen but also engaged in a mindful and sustainable activity. The process of creating these labels is both therapeutic and rewarding, allowing you to connect with the natural rhythms of fall. So why not give it a try? With a little creativity and patience, you can transform a simple household task into a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

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