Cactus ring holder DIY

Step 1: Conditioning polymer clay

-     Use a clay press or your hands to warm and soften the clay

-     Don’t worry if it crumbles at first – just keep kneading until smooth

-     Set your oven to 120–130°C (248–266°F) so it’s ready when you are

Step 2: Make the dish base

-     Grab about 1/3 of the clay

-     Use a circular object (like a tape roll) to cut a small circle

-     Set it aside – this will be the base of underneath you ring dish

Step 3: Shape the dish

-     Take a little more than 1/3 of your clay

-     Use the outside of the same circular object to cut a larger circle

-     Use your fingers and a little water to press out the centre

-     Shape it like a shallow saucer or pinch pot

-     Refine the edges by pinching and turning the clay

-     Use a palette knife or hobby knife to trim any uneven edges

Step 4: Attach the dish base

-     Flip the dish over

-     Place the small circle underneath as the base

-     Flip it back and gently press in the centre to secure

💡 Clay tip: If the shape starts getting soft or wobbly, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes to firm it up!

Step 5: Clay cactus

-     Roll leftover clay into a 100mm-long log

-     Keep the top thinner to hold rings and the bottom thicker for stability

-     Cut 3 small pieces to be the cactus arms

-     Cut toothpicks in half and press them into the arms (blunt end in)

-     Attach arms to the main cactus using the pointy ends of the toothpicks

Step 6: Smoothing polymer clay

-     Use the back of a small paintbrush to press and drag clay across the seams

-     Roll the brush over the clay to blend the joins

-     If any arms bend out of place, gently reposition them after smoothing

Step 7: Add cactus details

-     Use a toothpick to carve in classic cactus lines

-     Go over the grooves a couple of times for deeper texture

-     Insert a toothpick into the bottom of the cactus, leaving a little sticking out

-     Press the cactus gently into the centre of the dish

Step 8: How to bake polymer clay

-     Bake the piece for 1 hour at 120–130°C

-     The dish is thinner and only needs about 30 mins, but the cactus base is thicker

-     It’s better to slightly overbake than underbake

-     If you built your dish on a plate, double check it’s oven-safe!

Step 9: Paint the dish and cactus

-     Mix Titanium White + Yellow Ochre (4:1 ratio) to create a creamy colour

-     Paint the dish with two coats, letting the first dry fully

-     Paint the cactus fully in Sap Green and let dry

-     Mix Sap Green + Cream mix to make a soft pastel green

-     Use the dry brushing technique:

-     Load brush with paint, wipe almost all off

-     Gently brush over the cactus, avoiding the carved grooves

Step 10: Varnish on polymer clay

-     Apply Gloss Clay Varnish using a soft brush

-     Use thin, even strokes for a shiny, protective finish

💡 Clay tip: If you didn’t paint your clay, skip this step as unpainted polymer can get sticky when varnished.

You’ve just made a gorgeous little cactus ring holder 🌵💍 Whether it’s for your bedside table or a handmade gift, we hope you loved the making-part as much as the final piece.

Why not try making a matching trinket tray next? 👀✨