The Clay Desk

Air dry, polymer and salt dough

Small clay projects, made at a real desk

Air dry, polymer and salt dough tutorials photographed step by step, plus the paper crafts that live alongside them.

Browse tutorials Start Here
Step by step photosExact materialsWhat to do if it goes wrong
A rough lump
Terracotta air dry clay at each stage of becoming a pinch pot
Scroll to form it, or click the pot
13 craft hubs

Explore by craft

Each hub collects every tutorial, fix and tool guide for one material.

Air Dry ClayTutorials, projects, and guides for working with air dry clay – no kiln needed.Polymer ClayTutorials, projects, and guides for working with polymer clay – baked in a home…In season nowHalloween ClayClay Halloween decorations and projects – pumpkins, ghosts and luminaries in air-dry, polymer and…Clay JewelleryEarrings, beads, and charms made from polymer and air-dry clay – project ideas and…Salt DoughRecipes, drying times, and project ideas for salt dough – the cheapest clay in…Christmas OrnamentsClay Christmas ornaments and holiday projects – ideas and techniques for salt dough, air-dry,…Clay Home DecorDishes, planters, vases, and wall art made from clay – decorative and functional home…Clay TechniquesHand-building methods, shaping techniques, and texture tips that apply across air-dry, polymer, and salt…Finishing ClayHow to paint, seal, and cure clay properly – the step that decides whether…Clay ToolsThe clay tools and supplies actually worth buying – what to start with, what…Clay ProblemsDiagnose and fix the most common clay problems – cracking, breaking, warping, and pieces…Junk JournalingWhat junk journaling is and how to start one – a beginner’s guide to…Pressed FlowersHow to press, dry, and display flowers properly – the timing, technique, and materials…
New on the desk

Latest tutorials

A fresh project every week, newest first.

How every tutorial works

Same desk, same routine

01 · Gather

Exact materials

The clay, the tools and how long it really takes, listed before you start.

Terracotta air dry clay
Wall about 8 mm
25 min at the table
02 · Make

Photographed steps

One photo per step, so you always know what your piece should look like right now.

Step 4 of 6
Pinch the wall up in rings
03 · Fix

If it goes wrong

The likely cause and the fix for the cracks, warps and slumps that happen to everyone.

Rim splits while pinching
Fix: smooth it while wet