Air Dry Clay Botanical Necklaces

2 min read September 13, 2026 Haeley Giambalvo
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It’s Nature Explorer Week of Camp Fun and we’re exploring the unique textures and shapes in nature and using them to create one-of-a-kind necklaces! For this project, collect a variety of leaves and flowers and press them into air-dry clay to create medallions with a botanical print. You can even try preserving delicate flowers and leaves in the necklaces by pressing them into the clay and letting them dry. Embellish with watercolor paints and string along with colorful beads to create pretty nature-inspired jewelry.

Project Time
30 to 40 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Step
1

Create small balls of the air dry clay and press them onto a leaf to flatten them and create a print of the leaf.

Air Dry Clay Botanical Necklaces step 1
Step
2

Carefully peel off the leaf to reveal the print. Add a small hole to the top of the clay medallion with a toothpick.

Air Dry Clay Botanical Necklaces step 2
Step
3

Rather than making prints, you can also try to press delicate flowers and leaves directly into the clay. They will adhere to the clay as they dry.

Air Dry Clay Botanical Necklaces step 3
Step
4

Create a mix of different prints on the clay medallions and let dry overnight.

Air Dry Clay Botanical Necklaces step 4
Step
5

Once dry, use watercolor paints or colored pencils to add color to the clay medallions. A mix of pastel watercolors makes a particularly pretty effect on these necklaces.

Air Dry Clay Botanical Necklaces step 5 part 1
Air Dry Clay Botanical Necklaces step 5 part 2
Step
6

Thread stretchy cord along with colorful beads to create pretty nature-inspired necklaces!

Be sure to check out all of our summer camp craft ideas and activities for Nature Explorers Week of Camp Fun. Be sure to also check out Pressed Foliage Flower Pots for this week of Camp Fun. Follow along with our Summer Camp Fun Series! Be sure to share your projects with us on Instagram by using the hashtag #OTCampFun.

Air Dry Clay Botanical Necklaces step 6

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