Decoupaged handmade air-dry clay pins – vampire mouth badge

Decoupage is such a versatile technique. I’ve been using it a lot recently for all kinds of crafts like wooden coasters and these air-dry clay pin badges. The technique is fun and it is a very easy way to transfer thoroughly your design on the clay, even if it is a very detailed one. For example check out this weird vampire lips and fangs pin with weird red-eyed evil monsters.

How I make the pins via decoupage

1. I print low quality image with a size which I want the whole thing to be.
2. I cut the image and I place it one the clay which I’ve already prepared with the thickness I want (the ready figurine is 0.4 mm).
3. I cut the clay around the image but I make the cut piece larger because as you work with air-dry clay already you know it reduces its volume when it dries.
4. I leave it to dry completely.
5. I print the image on thin matte photo paper and cut it.
6. When the clay is dry there is sanding to be done.
7. I place the image to see if it fits and cut around its edges if it doesn’t.
8. Then I coat it thoroughly with gesso and when it is dry it’s time for decoupage.
9. Then it is time for coloring the base according to the design. In this case I’ve used a black acrylic marker.
10. After the paint is dry I put one layer of decoupage glue on the clay and place the image carefully on it to avoid bubbles (you can also put glue on the back side of the image, too, but it is small in my case and there is no need).
11. after it dries (about 20-30 min) I put a layer of glue on the image.
12. after it dries – another layer. This time I put it on the edges, too.
13. And then another.
14. After the glue dries, I varnish it with three layers of glossy varnish.
15. Then I varnish the edges.
16. After I’m sure that the varnish on the front is completely dry, I place decoupage glue on the back side, too, just to have an uniform surface.
17. And then I glue the metal pins.
18. Lastly, I varnish the back, too. An then the pin is ready to decorate your bags, clothes and whatever else you want to place it on.

If you try this technique, please comment, I would love to discuss it. You can also connect with me on Mastodon.

You can buy this pin at my Etsy shop.

Ако сте в България, можете да закупите тази ръчно изработена хорър-брошка с вампирски зъби тук.

See more of my clay creations

Find me on Instagram here and on Pinterest here.