How to make polymer clay bow earrings for a perfect gift this Mother's Day

If you are looking for a quick and beautiful gift for mom this Mother's Day look no further.  These earrings are easy to make and require very few supplies.  A gift from the heart, made with love, is so much better than store bought flowers that will wilt in a few days.  Mom will be wearing these earrings for years to come!

Make some extra pairs because these earrings make perfect gifts for teachers, grads and more!

Updated May 2018

Polymer clay bow earrings

You will need:

Polymer clay

Clay tools, (roller, pointed tool, craft knife, clay blade)

Waxed paper to cover work surface

Earring posts and backs

Gloss glaze for polymer clay

Ruler

Aluminum foil to cover cookie sheet and home oven pre-heated to 275 degrees

E6000 glue

Masking tape to hold bows while applying the glaze

1.     Roll out your clay thinly.  Use the clay blade to cut two strips of clay 1/8” wide by 1 ½” long.  

2.     Fold one end into the center and press lightly to make a loop.  Fold the opposite end to the center to meet the first loop.  Press in the center with the pointed clay tool.

3.     Cut two more strips of the thinly rolled out clay 1/8” wide by ½” long.  Fold at an angle.  (See photo) Place the bow loops you just made on top of this piece and press to adhere. (Bow tails made)

4.     Make the center knot by attaching a tiny strip of clay at the top center and bring around to the bottom using the pointed clay tool.  Press lightly to attach a knot to each bow.

5.     Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.  Preheat your oven to 275 degrees and bake for 20 minutes.  Do not over bake.  Do not use a microwave.  Let cool.

6.     Attach a piece of masking tape, sticky side up and place the baked bows on to hold while you brush on a coat of clay glaze and let dry.

7.     Add some E6000 glue to the back of your post earring findings and attach a bow.  Repeat for the second earring. Let dry completely. (E6000 glue is available in craft stores and discount department stores everywhere and works best)

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Graduation tassel gift bow

Dress up your graduation gifts with a beautiful Bowdabra graduation tassel gift bow. Celebrate the pomp and circumstance in style. You can easily create this beautiful bow with the Bowdabra mini bow maker and embellish with a personalized tassel to accent your gifts. I’ve made my tassel in the traditional black but you can make yours in any color you desire. It’s easy and so elegant when you attach it to a graduation gift.

Visit Bowdabra blog for the full graduation tassel gift bow tutorial today!

Recycled K-cup graduation cap

Do you have an upcoming graduation party on the horizon?  If so this cute little recycled K-cup graduation caps that fit on a soda bottle will dress up your table in style.  You can make these in any color to match the graduating class colors, or simply make a generic black one.  If the color of your cap is the color of the K-cup you can even skip the painting step like I did or simply spray paint them with a color of your choice.

This is a quick and easy craft and you use something that you normally toss in the trash.  You can even write the date and the name of your graduate on the outside with a sharpie marker so they have a lasting memory of the big day.  These little graduation caps looks so cute on a soda bottle!

Supplies:

K-cup for each graduation cap

Corrugated cardboard

Mat board or heavy card paper

Embroidery floss in desired color

Cabochon or rhinestone, button for the top of the cap

Tape

Ruler

Scissors

Pencil

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Optional:  For personalized colored cap, spray paint in desired color, sharpie marker for coloring the sides of the brim

Instructions:

1.     If you are painting your cap to match your particular school, spray the K-cup and mat board or card paper in your choice of color.  Work in a well -ventilated area.  Let the paint dry completely. My K-cup was black so I used it as is. White graduation caps are also popular and many K-cups are white.

2.     To make the tassel cut a piece of corrugated cardboard 2” x 1 ½”. 

3.     Using embroidery floss cut a 3” piece and lay it across the top of the cardboard piece horizontally.  (You will tie your tassel with this)

4.     Wrap some embroidery floss around the cardboard piece over the tying piece vertically about 12 times.  Tie the top thread into a knot and slide off the cardboard.  Cut the bottom loops to make your tassel.

5.     Cut another thread and tie it about ¼” from the knot to complete your tassel.  Snip the ends evenly.

6.     Use a small piece of tape to hold the tassel down while you braid the top threads. (Hanging cord)  Set aside.

7.     Cut a 2 ½” x 2 ½” piece of mat board or heavy card paper.  I used black mat board and colored the white edges with a sharpie marker. 

8.     Using the hot glue gun attach the top cord to the center of the cap brim.  Glue on a cabochon, rhinestone or button to match. 

9.     Use the hot glue gun to attach the brim to the bottom of the K-cup.  You will need the top to place on a soda bottle.

Mini bow polymer clay post earrings tutorial

I used sterling silver posts to make these earrings but your can easily use hypo allergenic, nickel free, or other ones.  This project uses a minimal amount of polymer clay so it’s a great use for your leftover clays!  Perfect for little girls…or mom since Mother’s Day is right around the corner. These earrings are simple but elegant and perfect for any occasion.

You will need:

Polymer clay

Clay tools, (roller, pointed tool, craft knife, clay blade)

Waxed paper to cover work surface

Earring posts and backs

Gloss glaze for polymer clay

Ruler

Aluminum foil to cover cookie sheet and home oven pre-heated to 275 degrees

E6000 glue

Masking tape to hold bows while applying the glaze

1.     Roll out your clay thinly.  Use the clay blade to cut two strips of clay 1/8” wide by 1 ½” long. 

2.     Fold one end into the center and press lightly to make a loop.  Fold the opposite end to the center to meet the first loop.  Press in the center with the pointed clay tool.

3.     Cut two more strips of the thinly rolled out clay 1/8” wide by ½” long.  Fold at an angle.  (See photo) Place the bow loops you just made on top of this piece and press to adhere. (Bow tails made)

4.     Make the center knot by attaching a tiny strip of clay at the top center and bring around to the bottom using the pointed clay tool.  Press lightly to attach a knot to each bow.

5.     Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.  Preheat your oven to 275 degrees and bake for 20 minutes.  Do not over bake.  Do not use a microwave.  Let cool.

6.     Attach a piece of masking tape, sticky side up and place the baked bows on to hold while you brush on a coat of clay glaze and let dry.

7.     Add some E6000 glue to the back of your post earring findings and attach a bow.  Repeat for second earring. Let dry completely. (E6000 glue is available in craft stores and discount department stores everywhere and works best)