We have the sweetest DIY to share with you today! These bracelets are charming, whimsical, and absolutely feminine! 💕 If you’ve been itching to try something new (and totally doable), this polymer clay project is such a fun way to stretch those creative muscles.

This one’s a great reminder that our IOD Moulds aren’t just for big furniture flips or small decor upcycles…they can be delicate and dreamy for smaller-scale projects, too. We created darling handmade bracelets using polymer clay and a few IOD moulds that are perfect for Mother’s Day gifting or adding a personal touch to your accessories. 

We started with a small kit of clay and tools, but you can easily find individual colors at your local craft store. The tools help smooth and shape, but you can get by with whatever you have on hand.

So, gather your IOD supplies from your  local stockist,  pick your prettiest colors, and let’s make something beautiful together! ♥️

IOD Products Needed: 

• Primitive Mould
• Wild Berries Mould
• Blossom Mould 

Other Supplies: 

• Slider Bracelets
• Polymer Clay
• Polymer Clay Tools
• UV Resin or Sealer of Choice
• Screw-In Eyelets

Step-by-Step Guide

STEP ONE: CHOOSE YOUR MOULDS & CAST THEM

First things first, pick out the moulds you want to use, that’ll help you decide the order you place your colors. We were going for sweet yellow flower centers, so that color had to go in first!

A little goes a long way here. Start with small bits of clay and warm them up by rolling them between your palms until they’re soft and pliable. Then gently press the clay into the center of your flower mould.

Next, layer your second color right over the first, and for larger flowers, we even added a third shade to create a soft white-to-blue gradient. It’s such a fun way to play with color and depth in your moulds!

STEP TWO: CHOOSE YOUR MOULDS & CAST THEM

For pieces with leaves, like the strawberry and cherry blossom, we started with those first. The key is to really study your mould and see where the details begin and end so you can decide what makes the most sense to fill in first. We used a deep berry red for our raspberry and a classic true red for the strawberry, with green clay for the leaves on both. 

We found that small tools worked best for pressing the clay into the edges and gently guiding it into place. We tried gloved fingers at first, but the clay kept sticking, so tools were definitely the way to go! Unlike working with air dry clay (where you pack it in and trim the excess with the micro rim), with polymer clay, we actually found the opposite approach worked better: less is more.

And if you’re wondering why we skipped the cornstarch, polymer clay tends to lift out of the mould pretty easily on its own. We actually found that adding anything extra just made it trickier to get everything where it needed to go.

Once everything’s filled in, remove your castings gently. 

 Pro tip: Think about polymer clay like playdough! Use one color at a time, and wash your hands between colors to avoid any unwanted blending or crossover. It keeps everything looking crisp and clean.

STEP THREE: ADD THE EYELETS

Once all your castings are ready, it’s time to add the eyelets! There are eyelets made specifically for polymer clay, but we used what we had on hand, and they worked beautifully.

Grab a pair of pliers or your fingers and gently press the eyelet into each side of your charm. Just keep in mind where you want the bracelet to attach, and try to keep it somewhat centered. (If we were doing it again, we’d place the eyelet a little higher up on the strawberry near the leaves for a better balance!)

Repeat the process on the second side of each charm, and you're all set to move on to assembling your bracelet!

STEP FOUR: CURE THE POLYMER CLAY

Time to bake! Be sure to follow the instructions specific to your brand of polymer clay—ours called for 270°F for 15 minutes per ¼ inch of thickness. We baked ours for exactly 15 minutes, and they turned out perfectly!

A toaster oven or clay oven is usually recommended, but we used our regular kitchen oven and it worked just fine. 😉

Let them cool completely before handling. They’ll feel slightly pliable while they’re still warm and that’s exactly what you want! If they turn out brittle, that usually means they’ve been over-baked. So no worries if they’re a little flexible at first, they’ll firm up as they cool. 

STEP FIVE: SEAL YOUR PROJECT

Once your pieces are completely cool, you can seal them. This step is totally optional since polymer clay is good to go right out of the oven. We just wanted to add a little extra gloss and shine.

You can brush on a liquid sealer, or go with UV resin for that glassy finish. Just smooth a thin layer over one side of your charm (a brush, tool, or even your finger works great for getting into all those nooks and crannies), then cure before flipping and doing the other side. We cured ours for about 3 minutes.

Got a little sticky residue afterward? Just wipe it down with a bit of rubbing alcohol and you’re all set! 

STEP SIX: ATTACH YOUR CHARMS

Time to attach your charms to the bracelets! We used slider-style bracelets because they’re super easy to take on and off (and look adorable too!).

Grab a pair of jewelry pliers, open the jump rings on each side of the bracelet, and slip your charm into place. Once it's positioned just right, close the rings back up and voilà! You’ve got a handmade bracelet for mom that's full of heart and creativity. 🥰

There you have it, a sweet little project that’s as fun to make as it is meaningful to give. These handmade bracelets are a beautiful reminder that the most treasured gifts come from the heart.

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to slow down and create something special for the women who’ve loved and supported us so well. A heartfelt, handmade piece says so much. 😍

Happy creating and Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at IOD! 

If you're just kicking off your creative journey, have no fear — our Product 101 pages are packed with straightforward techniques to set you up for success. We're thrilled to accompany you as you explore and create. For more how-tos and creative inspo, make sure to browse through the rest of our blog.

Once you've crafted your final piece, share it with our Facebook Creative Tribe! This community is not just a showcase but also a supportive hub for when you hit those creative roadblocks. And remember, your local stockist is always ready to assist with IOD supplies and expert advice. We're excited to see what you'll bring to life!