Have you ever played with clay just for fun and then had this moment where you thought, “Wait… people actually buy this stuff?” I swear, that realization hits so many of us. Clay has this almost magical ability to turn into anything — something cute, something useful, something decorative, or something so personal that people feel like they need it in their life. And the best part? You don’t need a studio or fancy tools to start. I mean, I’ve done half of these ideas on my tiny dining table with a plastic knife and some patience.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a small creative business, or maybe just adding a new income stream, clay crafts are seriously one of the best ways to go. They’re affordable to make, super customizable, and people absolutely love handmade pieces. So, here’s a list of 17 clay crafts that you can create and sell to make money playing with clay.
1. Clay Trinket Dishes
There’s something ridiculously charming about a tiny dish that holds your rings, keys, or those little earrings you keep losing. These trinket dishes are one of the easiest clay crafts to start with, and they sell really well because they’re both cute and useful. I love making them because you can play around with shapes — hearts, shells, suns, moons, wavy blobs, whatever mood you’re in. Gold edging is always a best-seller, by the way. People love that little pop of fancy. And since each piece is small, you can batch a bunch in one afternoon without stressing yourself out.
2. Clay Earrings
If there’s one thing that will forever sell on Etsy or at craft markets, it’s clay earrings. People go crazy for them because they’re lightweight, stylish, and incredibly customizable. I remember the first time I tried making them — I spent an hour choosing colors and then realized the color combinations never end. Florals, terrazzo, abstract patterns, minimal shapes… you can seriously do anything. The trick is to sand them after baking so they look clean and professional. Once you get the hang of it, earrings become this addictive little business you can scale pretty quickly.
3. Clay Phone Grips
You know those cute, chunky pop-style grips people attach to their phones? Yeah… those can be made with clay. And people buy them like crazy. I’ll be honest, the first time I made one, it fell off because I used the wrong glue. But once you figure out the right adhesive and sealing method, they’re a hit. What I love is that you can match them to trends — cottagecore, baddie aesthetic, smiley faces, fruit themes. They’re such a small item, but they let people show off their personality, and that’s why they sell.
4. Personalized Name Keychains
These always make me smile because they’re the kind of craft people buy as gifts without even thinking twice. Birthdays, bridesmaid sets, stocking stuffers — name keychains are perfect for all of them. You can roll the clay into little slabs and cut out letters, or you can stamp names into a simple tag shape. I think the reason people love them is because personalization makes it feel thoughtful and unique. And since they’re small, they’re super affordable to make and ship.
5. Clay Candle Holders
I’ve seen candle holders blow up on social media so many times, especially those cute wavy ones or the textured organic-looking ones. They’re honestly easier to make than they look. You shape the clay, carve out a little space for the candle, bake, paint, and seal — done. The cool part is that candle lovers always want new accessories. If you make a few styles — minimal, funky, earthy — you’ll attract shoppers with totally different tastes. Plus, they photograph beautifully for product photos.
6. Mini Clay Sculptures
These are the type of clay crafts that really show off your personality. Tiny animals, cute ghosts, miniature plants, little characters — people absolutely love these for desk decor or gifts. I’ve made tiny frogs and mushrooms before, and honestly, they sold faster than I expected. Sculptures take a bit more time, but they’re so fun to create because you get to be expressive and whimsical. And if you want repeat buyers, offering themed sets is a genius move.
7. Clay Magnets
Clay magnets are underrated, but they sell surprisingly well. Think about it — people love decorating their fridge or office boards with something that feels handmade and fun. You can make fruit sets, inspirational quotes, animals, little food items, or aesthetic shapes that match popular vibes like neutral boho or pastel kawaii. They’re tiny, so they bake quickly and use very little clay, which keeps your costs low. This is one of those crafts that’s perfect for beginners.
8. Clay Wall Hangings
If you’ve ever wanted to make decor that feels meaningful and artistic, clay wall hangings are where your creativity shines. You can do moon phases, abstract shapes, sun motifs, or earthy boho pieces. They usually combine multiple clay elements strung together with twine or rope. What I love is that these pieces feel expensive — even though the materials are pretty simple. When people decorate their homes, they want something that feels unique, and handmade clay wall hangings give exactly that vibe.
9. Clay Coasters
I swear, every time I set clay coasters on a table, someone immediately asks where I got them. They’re the perfect mix of practical and pretty. You can make them round, hexagon, wavy-edged, whatever fits your style. Terrazzo coasters always look amazing, and marbled patterns are another crowd favorite. If you seal them properly, they last a long time and look incredibly high-end. These are the types of products that people buy in sets, which means higher order value for you.
10. Clay Jewelry Holders
These are similar to trinket dishes, but with a little more structure — ring cones, bracelet stands, necklace holders. And people genuinely use these. I’ve gifted them to friends and they always say, “This is exactly what I needed.” You can mix different shapes on purpose so the set feels curated rather than matchy-matchy. And ring cones? They always sell. If you’ve never tried making them, don’t overthink it — they’re basically little cones you smooth out and decorate.
11. Incense Holders
I think everyone has gone through that “burning incense every night” phase, right? And clay incense holders are perfect because they can be as simple or detailed as you want. Some people make long trays with a tiny hole. Others make cute figures holding incense. I once made a little sleeping cat incense holder and it got so much attention. The market for these is huge because they’re calm, aesthetic, and fit into so many home decor styles.
12. Plant Pot Mini Trays
If you’re a plant person (or even if you’re not), these mini trays are a game-changer. They sit under plant pots to catch excess water, but they also double as adorable decor. You can make them textured, painted, scalloped, or simple and smooth. The truth is, plant owners love matching accessories. And since trays are flat and quick to make, you can batch them in different sizes. They also pair nicely with plant-themed branding if that’s the vibe you want.
13. Clay Bookmark Charms
These are one of those crafts you don’t think about until you see them and instantly want one. Clay charms attached to ribbon or cord bookmarks make the cutest gifts for book lovers. I’ve seen people do mini fruit charms, celestial symbols, little letters, or pastel shapes. They’re small, fun to make, and perfect for selling at markets or online as stocking stuffers. And because they’re tiny, you can experiment with so many styles without using much clay at all.
14. Clay Hair Clips
Hair clips are another best-selling accessory you can easily create with clay. You attach your baked clay shapes to metal clip bases and boom — stylish handmade hair accessories. You can make floral designs, waves, hearts, geometric shapes, or these dreamy blended color patterns people love wearing. Some creators even make full matching sets. And since clips are functional and fashionable, people buy them for themselves and as gifts.
15. Clay Pen Holders
If you want to make something practical that also doubles as decor, pen holders are perfect. You can build them in different shapes — round cups, square holders, or those cute face-shaped ones that look like they’re smiling at you from your desk. These pieces are usually bigger, which means you can charge more. And if you sell to office or stationery lovers, these kinds of clay crafts do amazingly well because they’re both fun and functional.
16. Clay Picture Frames
Picture frames made from clay might sound intimidating, but they’re honestly not. You make a simple frame shape, let it sturdily bake, and then decorate it however you want — mosaic tiles, flowers, wavy borders, whatever your heart’s into. People love gifting personalized frames with names, dates, or little symbols. And since frames tie directly into memories, they feel deeply sentimental, which always helps them sell.
17. Clay Candle Snuffers
Okay, hear me out — these are way more popular than you think. Candle snuffers made from clay look chic and elegant, especially if you shape them into tiny bells or decorative toppers. Candle lovers buy all kinds of accessories, and snuffers feel like that fancy extra thing people want to complete their setup. You can create modern shapes or go whimsical with stars, mushrooms, or sculpted handles. They’re surprisingly fun to make, too.
Wrapping it up
You can start small, experiment with different styles, and slowly find your own artistic voice. And the cool part? You’re creating things people will actually use and love. If you’ve been wanting to start selling your clay creations, I hope at least one of these ideas sparked something in you. Just start with one. Then another. Before you know it, you’ll have a whole collection that reflects you.
