If you’re reading this post, there’s a good chance that you’re reading it from a laptop or desktop placed within your workspace. And if you’re like most people, you probably have a cute little photo of a loved one tucked away in a photo frame or clipped on with a magnet or sticker. It could also be a picture of a wonderful vacation you had, or of a place you’re planning to visit soon. Or maybe it’s just a quote that gives you the inspiration to get through a hard day! Whatever it is, it deserves a prime spot on your desk, don’t you think? And that’s where our newest craft comes in – a DIY Clay Mushroom Photo Holder!

DIY Clay Mushroom Photo Holder

Materials Required

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Cold Porcelain Clay [ Our homemade cold porcelain recipe can be found here]
Acrylic colors (white, red, green & brown )
Clay Modeling Tools (optional )
Metal wire to hold the photo
Toothpick
Plastic sheet

Directions to make the DIY Clay Mushroom Photo Holder

1. Mix 2 to 4 drops of white acrylic paint to our homemade clay recipe. Split this into two parts – a main portion for the mushroom and the rest for the base and flowers.

2. To half of the main portion of clay, add a few drops of red color to make a batch of pink clay. This will form the top of the mushroom. The other half will be used to make the base of the mushroom and for the dots.

3. Start by rolling the white clay into a thick cylinder, leaving behind some clay for the dots. Shape one end into a flat 3D teardrop shape. Keep aside.

4. Roll the pink clay into a ball, then slowly press against a flat surface to flatten one end. The shape should now look like half a sphere.

5. Stick a toothpick into the center of the white cylinder and push the pink semi-sphere on it slowly to secure in place. You can keep a little lilt in the mushroom head. Using clay tools, draw some longitudinal ridges on the mushroom’s base.

6. From the remaining white clay, make small tiny balls and press them flat to form disc shapes. Make as many as you want, of varying sizes. Using glue, stick the small white discs on the top of the mushroom.

7. To create the base, mix brown paint to a little of the clay set aside for the base and flowers. Now mix the brown colored clay along with a little white clay, not mixing completely as we want a marbled effect. Knead it just enough to get it smooth while making sure the colors don’t mix completely.

8. Roll the brown marbled clay into a flattened stone-like shape. This will form the base of our photo holder.

9. For added effect, use a toothpick to make small dents on the top surface of the clay. You could choose to leave it smooth too. It’ll look good either way!

10. Stick a toothpick in the center of the brown base and slide the mushroom on it. Add a little glue between the layers for added support.

11. It’s time to decorate! Let’s add some flowers and leaves. Mix some green paint in base clay and roll into small cylinders to form leaves. Pinch one end slightly.

12. For the flowers, make centers out of white clay and petals in any color you like – pink, red or purple. Use a toothpick or modelling tool to make grooves in the petals. Attach the leaves to the white bottom of the mushroom and scatter the flowers on the brown base.

12. To use the Clay Mushroom as a photo holder, push a wire photo holder spiral through it. Your DIY Clay Mushroom Photo Holder is ready!

If you like, you can skip the wire part and use the mushroom as a garden or desk decoration instead. This clay takes over a week to air dry, so be sure to plan your DIY in advance! This is a lovely gift for your friends and family and is ideal as a stocking stuffer this holiday season! The best part? It’s perfect for anyone – kids, teens, grown ups, grandparents, bosses – everyone!!